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Please Stop Conflating Sports Betting Handle With Spending On Entertainment
Editor’s note: The Cashout for paid subscribers will publish on Tuesday. Every September there’s a huge uptick in how much people bet on sports with the start of football season. Which means it’s time to get ahead of a ridiculous narrative before it picks up steam on social media or in mainstream media. Subscribe Every few months I see some version of this: [ Charlie Bilello@charliebilello Americans bet over $165 billion on sports last year, which is more than they spent on movies, books, concerts and sports tickets - combined. 1:00 PM · Jun 28, 2026 · 4.1M Views 258 Replies · 674 Reposts · 4.23K Likes ](https://x.com/charliebilello/status/2071217050328895935?s=20) Fortune published this in July. The headline and start of the story tell the same narrative (emphasis added): Gambling becomes America’s favorite pastime as Americans spend more on sports bets than movies, arts, museums, and music combined: The North American box office totaled $8.87 billion in 2025, which is still 22% below pre-pandemic levels. Recorded music revenue hit a record $11.5 billion. Live music like concerts and festivals brought in $18.51 billion. Meanwhile, book publishers tracked by the Association of American Publishers reported $14.6 billion for the year. And the U.S. museum industry generated an estimated $16.4 billion. Add it up and the total comes to roughly $70 billion, which is less than half what Americans wagered on sports. The story, to its credit, goes on to tell us why sports betting is entirely different, although people who only read headlines will miss that nuance. (The tweet above definitely skips over the nuance.) I will mostly be preaching to the choir here, but it’s worth saying out loud: Wagering money on sports is not the same thing as spending on entertainment from a financial perspective. When you spend money on a movie or concert ticket, that money is gone. You exchanged money for an experience. It’s a good trade! I get to have fun for “x” dollars. (Unless the movie sucks, I guess.) When you bet money on sports, the money is not necessarily gone every time you wager it. It could be gone, but sometimes it’s not and you actually get more money back! That’s not “spending” money or something you should try to compare directly to entertainment spend. A far better comp would be how much people lose at sports betting. That number was more like $17 billion in the US last year, at least for state-regulated sportsbooks. Why are we trying to equate handle and entertainment spending? I dunno. It makes for splashy headlines, I guess. Now, people should be betting for entertainment, and not because they expect to win in the long term; no doubt about it. Anyway, here’s hoping I don’t see people saying Americans “spent” hundreds of millions of dollars on sports betting this fall. Mindway AI and DraftKings Expand Responsible Gaming Drive with Launch of Gamalyze American Football In time for the NFL kickoff, Mindway AI has expanded its partnership with DraftKings to launch Gamalyze American Football the second title in the neuroscience-based Gamalyze Sports collection. Following the success of Gamalyze Football (soccer) during the FIFA World Cup, this gridiron-themed update replaces static questionnaires with immersive, stadium-inspired gameplay. Backed by 10+ years of Aarhus University research, Gamalyze evaluates real-time decision-making to deliver instant, unbiased player risk assessments. Integrated into DraftKings’ platform and nationwide activations, it engages fans when excitement peaks. Ready to upgrade your player protection? Contact Mindway AI to try Gamalyze Sports today. Gambling news roundup 🚨The important stuff 1st NFL Sunday of Season ‘Champagne-Popping Day for Bettors’ (Covers): “The first NFL Sunday of the season was a champagne-popping day for bettors, while the book was left cleaning up the corks,” Caesars’ head of football Joey Feazel said prior to the Sunday night game. “Caesars Sportsbook reported that Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor, and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson were among the top five most-bet players to reach the end zone, and all of them cashed tickets.” [ Ben Fawkes@BFawkes22 A @CaesarsSports oddsmaker on how Week 1 has gone so far: “The first NFL Sunday of the season was a champagne-popping day for bettors, while the book was left cleaning up the corks.” ➡️8 of 10 most popular anytime TD scorers cashed 1:31 AM · Sep 14, 2026 · 276K Views 16 Replies · 16 Reposts · 615 Likes ](https://x.com/BFawkes22/status/2099310001927995849?s=20) 🔍 Are we already getting a “customer-friendly results” narrative in Week 1? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke with CNBC about the prediction markets industry: “We think that there needs to be stronger regulations into the predictive markets,” Goodell said. “We want to see that to protect the integrity of our game. We want to make sure we’re protecting the consumers that are on those platforms for the NFL. So, we’re continuing to have conversations with them and talk to them about the things that we think they need to do to strengthen that so that they could be potential partners at some point in the future.” More on the NFL + PMs: [ Straight to the Point Quid Pro Quo The NFL has asked Kalshi and other prediction markets to remove certain easy to manipulate markets. Does a potential partnership hang in the balance… Read more 6 hours ago · 19 likes · Steve Ruddock ](https://straighttothepoint.substack.com/p/quid-pro-quo?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1472492) Kalshi was on my podcast?: Kalshi was on my podcast [ The Event Horizon Episode 32: Talking Prediction Market Enforcement With Kalshi’s Robert DeNault Kalshi? On my podcast? Yep… Listen now 5 hours ago · 6 likes · 1 comment · Dustin Gouker ](https://nexteventhorizon.substack.com/p/episode-32-talking-prediction-market-enforcement-kalshi?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1472492) DraftKings Enhances Responsible Engagement Efforts With New Customer Initiatives, Tools and Education (press release): DraftKings Inc. today announced a series of new initiatives designed to promote responsible engagement and increase awareness and use of the tools and resources to help customers make informed decisions and engage responsibly. The efforts include a new digital advertising campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas that promotes responsible engagement, a PGA TOUR sweepstakes that promotes customer engagement with responsible engagement features, the launch of Gamalyze American Football in collaboration with Mindway AI, and new custom cool-off options that give customers enhanced flexibility when choosing a cool-off period. The initiatives build on DraftKings’ commitment to making responsible engagement an integral part of the customer experience and providing players with accessible tools and resources that help them make informed choices about their gaming experience. “At DraftKings, responsible engagement is embedded in how we operate and is essential to building trust with our customers and our long-term sustainability,” said Lori Kalani, Chief Responsible Gaming Officer at DraftKings. “We’ve continued to invest in tools and resources that give customers enhanced access to information about their play and more choices for managing how they engage. From My Budget Builder and My Stat Sheet to player-set limits and new custom cool-offs, we’re continuing to evolve our approach while promoting awareness and use of the tools and resources available to help customers play responsibly.” … DraftKings is launching a new digital advertising campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas that continues the pair’s road trip and promotes responsible engagement and awareness of the tools and resources available to help customers make informed choices about their gaming experience and engage responsibly. The campaign was initially launched on Sep. 10th and will reach customers through digital channels, bringing responsible engagement messaging to fans in an engaging way. bet365 Launches “The Matchup,” a New Weekly Video Podcast Hosted by Super Bowl Champions Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders (press release): "bet365, a global leader in online sports betting and gaming, today announced the launch of “The Matchup,” a new weekly video podcast hosted by former Super Bowl Champions Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders. Featuring current and former NFL players, the original series marks a significant, intentional investment in football as bet365 works to become a go-to destination for U.S. bettors throughout the season. “The Matchup” premieres September 10, with new episodes released weekly in both video and audio formats. Full episodes will be available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever podcasts are available, with clips and additional content rolling out across YouTube, X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok. The show is being produced by Last Row Digital Media. Each week, Harris and Sanders will be joined by guests from across the game to break down the biggest NFL matchups, unpack the latest league news and share perspectives that go beyond the box score. By bringing together two former players with distinct perspectives and firsthand experience, “The Matchup” will give audiences timely context and a deeper understanding of the teams, players and storylines shaping the week ahead. “Every great football conversation starts with a matchup—who has the edge, what everyone is overlooking and what could change the game,” said Chris Harris Jr. “Emmanuel and I have experienced the game from different perspectives, and we want the audience to feel like they are part of the conversation and leave every episode knowing more about the week ahead.” Today’s iGaming companies face new litigation threats as expansive consumer protection statutes spark lawsuits with sky’s-the-limit aspirations, sometimes backed by private funders. Clients of Ifrah Law have a staunch defender in Robert Ward – an agile litigator and case tactician who responds to the changing state of play with creative legal defenses and efficient case-closing strategies. Robert draws on federal clerkship experience and appellate defense work to advise iGaming clients on litigation exposure, white-collar risk, and regulatory defense across multiple jurisdictions. Read More: Robert Ward on Helping iGaming Clients Outmaneuver Lawsuit-Obsessed Adversaries 🔮 Prediction markets Update on legal action in Connecticut: [ Daniel Wallach@WALLACHLEGAL Connecticut says gaming service license holders which received subpoenas over sports prediction markets “are not under investigation” by the @CTDCP but may possess information that could assist the state “in evaluating the conduct of prediction market platforms.” 2:31 PM · Sep 13, 2026 · 844 Views 5 Likes ](https://x.com/WALLACHLEGAL/status/2099143914271670576?s=20) American Gaming Association Opposes CFTC Bid to Block New York Prediction-Market Enforcement (DeFi Rate): “The brief points to the Ninth Circuit’s Aug. 28 decision in KalshiEX LLC v. Assad, which the AGA says supports New York’s authority to regulate sports contracts as gambling. It also cites Kalshi advertising, product comparisons and reporting on Kalshi’s sports volume to argue that the economic product resembles a sportsbook wager more than a conventional financial hedge.” [ Daniel Wallach@WALLACHLEGAL AGA intervenes in CFTC v. NY case to oppose CFTC request for preliminary injunction, says the CFTC’s arguments “obfuscate a simple truth: prediction markets offer sports betting.” Highlights CA9 decision, @DustinGouker (6x), and $1.32 billion in OSB taxes for NY (0 from PMs). Daniel Wallach @WALLACHLEGAL High stakes hearing on Monday in CFTC v. New York State. If SDNY judge Lorna Schofield denies the CFTC’s motion for preliminary injunction, the New York AG would have a clearer path for securing a state court geofencing order against Kalshi, Coinbase, and Gemini Titan. 2:08 AM · Sep 13, 2026 · 4.78K Views 1 Reply · 2 Reposts · 8 Likes ](https://x.com/WALLACHLEGAL/status/2098957043474280584?s=20) Gaming Commission remains member of gambling council after questions raised over ties to Kalshi (Mass Live): “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will not follow the leads of gaming regulators in Ohio and Michigan and drop ties with the National Council on Problem Gambling over its new association with Kalshi.” Sponsor’s messageTrusted Voices: Conversations About Betting is designed to equip adults, including parents and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, including information on warning signs, risks and proxy betting. The program is led by retired professional basketball player Randy Livingston and his wife, basketball agent Anita Smith, who share their personal stories related to problem gambling, with the hope of preventing others from experiencing similar harms. Learn more and join the conversation here. 📣 Industry news Gaming M&A: Latest Mergers, Acquisitions and Deals (SBC Americas): “But what else is happening in the world of gaming mergers, acquisitions, investments, and partnerships? Here, we round up some of the news you might have missed.” BetMGM Named Official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner of the Minnesota Vikings in Canada (press release): BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced a multi-year partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, naming it the Official Sports Betting Partner and Online Casino Partner of the team in Canada. The agreement gives BetMGM rights to use Vikings marks across approved sports betting, online casino and marketing activities in Canada. In addition, Vikings Big Kick LuckyTap™, a casino game by Design Works Gaming, is available now exclusively at BetMGM Casino in Alberta and Ontario. “Vikings fans bring a level of passion and loyalty that extends well beyond game day,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM. “As the home of one of the largest collections of sports-themed casino content in North America, BetMGM is uniquely positioned to combine sports fandom with iGaming. We are eager to start football season off strong with another fantastic partnership especially as we expand our reach in Canada to Alberta.” Martin Nance, Minnesota Vikings Chief Marketing Officer, said, “As we continue to deepen our connection with Vikings fans across Canada, we’re proud to welcome BetMGM as the team’s official sports betting and online casino partner in Canada. Their commitment to innovation and fan engagement aligns well with our organization, and we’re excited to create memorable experiences that celebrate Vikings football and connect with Canadian fans in new and meaningful ways.” Caesars Entertainment Launches Ball Rush Jackpots™ in New Jersey,the Latest Proprietary Online Title from Empire Creative™ (press release): Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) (“Caesars”) today announced the launch of Ball Rush Jackpots™, a new ball-and-peg style online casino game developed by Empire Creative™, the Company’s in-house game development studio. Now live in New Jersey across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, Ball Rush Jackpots is expected to become available in additional jurisdictions where Caesars offers online casino gaming following regulatory approval. The title expands Caesars’ growing portfolio of proprietary online casino titles, following the successful launch of Ca$hline™ earlier this year and further diversifying the Company’s lineup beyond traditional slots and table games. Ball Rush Jackpots follows the traditional ball-drop gameplay experience where players drop a ball down a board filled with pegs to land in a prize slot. As balls navigate independently through a field of pegs, every drop creates new opportunities to collect feature symbols, unlock bonuses and pursue jackpots, delivering a different experience with every round. “Ball Rush Jackpots delivers a different kind of casino experience for our players, combining easy-to-understand gameplay with meaningful customization, exciting bonus opportunities and jackpot potential,” said Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital. “As we continue expanding our proprietary content portfolio, we’re focused on creating games that are simple to pick up, rewarding to revisit and designed around the features players enjoy most.” Bally’s Corporation Secures New Financing to Support the Development of the Bally’s Bronx Project (press release): Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) (“Bally’s” or the “Company”) announced today that it secured new financing led by WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP to fund further development of the Bally’s Bronx project and general corporate purposes. The new financing comprises closing date term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and delayed draw term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $160 million (together, the “Facilities”). … Bally’s Chairman of the Board, Soo Kim, commented, “This important financing allows us to progress the pre-construction planning process so that we are ready to complete the remainder of the capital raise and remain on schedule. Furthermore, the additional liquidity provides us greater flexibility for other capital opportunities.” WORLD JAI ALAI LEAGUE LAUNCHES CENTENNIAL SEASON AND ENTERS NEXT CHAPTER IN MIAMI (press release): The World Jai Alai League will open its 2026 fall season on Tuesday, September 15 at Miami’s JAM Arena, beginning a milestone season that marks 100 years since professional Jai Alai first arrived in Miami. Season X, the tenth season of the Battle Court team-based competition launched in 2022, will also be the first since entrepreneur and sports asset investor Rob Gough acquired the World Jai Alai League in August 2026. The acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the league. World Jai Alai League will maintain the existing Battle Court competition and operating format, with Chief Operating Officer Scott Savin overseeing Season X. Gough and his team will use the coming months to listen to players and fans, evaluate opportunities across the league, and execute plans for a broader evolution of Jai Alai’s presentation, live experience, media, marketing and commercial strategy beginning in 2027. “This is a really unique moment for Jai Alai,” said Rob Gough, Owner of the World Jai Alai League. “We have a sport with more than 100 years of history in Miami, extraordinary athletes and incredible speed, but I also believe there is enormous untapped potential.” bet365 reveals most popular online slots in 3 US states in August (SBC Americas): “In its monthly Gaming Insights and Performance report, growing online casino operator bet365 tracks player trends and game performance in online slots across its North American online casino markets.” The Closing Line is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Pre-Orders For The Android-Based Googlebook Laptops Open On September 21
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Science center retiring director
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Implied Volatility Surging for USANA Health Stock Options
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Lorton HVAC contractor to lay off 93 workers
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Gov. Stein Announces $1.25 Million to Expand School-Based Health Centers, Including Appalachian District Health Department
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fundivi Expands Small Business Access To Capital Through Hybrid Lending Model
BROOKLYN, NY, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- fundivi combines direct in-house lending with a vetted partner network and cash-flow-based underwriting to widen approval options for small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. fundivi, a Brooklyn, New York-based business funding platform, is expanding small business access to capital through a hybrid lending model that pairs direct in-house financing with a vetted network of funding partners. The approach allows business owners to submit a single
Roundup: Top 500 Colleges / Trump presses Zelenskyy / Data center demand
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Baton Rouge transportation and delivery business acquired by Sulphur company
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Radio on the Lake Theatre unveils 2026-27 season featuring ‘War of the Worlds,’ ‘Casablanca’
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SENA Health Secures Series A Financing to Accelerate Growth and Expand AI and Technology Capabilities
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UNC Charlotte expert shares what you need to know about rabies after recent North Carolina cases
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Siding with Ron DeSantis, Byron Donalds bucks Donald Trump on paying voters if GOP holds Congress
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Green Science Alliance Developed Plant Biomass based, TPO & HEMA-free Vegan Gel Nail Polish
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Rhelion Life Sciences' Wholly Owned Subsidiary Filament Health to Deliver Oral Comments at FDA Public Hearing on the Potential Future Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs
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‘Nothing in the film is true’: MKs, politicians denounce NAZA film creators as 'Israel haters'
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Distressed Marmalade Cafe Files for Chapter 11
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PNC Business Credit Expands Western Region Leadership
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The System Is Not the Patient
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Week of conferences, economic decisions highlight D-FW business datebo
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Scenes From Los Alamos County Airport 2026 Open House And Chamber Of Commerce Home-Based Business Expo Saturday
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Bone Health Without the Hype
I am at the Australasian Menopause Society meeting and we had a fantastic lecture on Bone Health on Day 2, called, “Everything you need to know about bones - except the boring bits!” Spoiler alert, there were no boring bits. The lecture was given by Dr. Amanda Beech, who is a senior staff specialist in Obstetric Medicine and Endocrinology at the Royal Hospital for Women, where she is director of the Bone Density Unit. I want to summarize my top 10 take-aways for you. Share Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone mass, disruption of bone microarchitecture, and fragility of the skeleton. It is a silent disease…until someone develops a fracture. The diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on either fragility/minimal trauma fractures or a T-score of less than -2.5 on a DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) or bone scan. It is important to recognize that about 50% of minimal trauma fractures occur when women have low bone mass (often referred to as osteopenia), but not osteoporosis. This tells us that bone strength is more complicated than a number on a DXA report. I am going to add a little here that wasn’t in the talk (one can only include so much in 25 minutes), as many women might read the above paragraph and think, “Shouldn’t we be treating everyone with low bone mass if this is when 50% of the fractures occur?” Many fractures happen for women with low bone mass because there are so many women with low bone mass –it is a statement about the population on a whole, not about the fracture risk of low bone mass. For you as an individual, bone density is only one component of fracture risk and many women with lower bone mass will not have a significantly elevated fracture risk. This is why individualized risk assessment matters. Subscribe We build bone in our teens and twenties, and by the time we are about thirty we have reached peak bone mass. This is why, when we discuss risk factors for osteoporosis, it is important to consider factors that might have affected us in our teens and twenties when we were actively building bone, such as nutritional restriction/energy imbalance. It is important to ask women about a history of eating disorders, and for those with such a history, getting a bone scan in perimenopause or at age 50 is likely warranted. (This image below isn’t from the talk, but is similar to one that was). Bone mass is relatively stable until about two years before the final menstrual period, and perimenopause marks a time of rapid bone loss for women. Using urinary markers of bone loss we know that the time of significantly accelerated bone loss starts about 1 year before the final period and ends about 2 years after the final period. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) shows that over the menopause transition women lose an average of 10.6% of the bone at their lumbar spine and 9.1% at the femoral neck While this wasn’t covered in the lecture, I want to add that the rapid bone loss during perimenopause is clearly related to more than estradiol, because during this time estradiol levels can be erratic and not uniformly low. Bone loss during perimenopause is likely a multi-hormone event. For example, rising FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) tracks with bone loss better than estradiol, and there is evidence that FSH may act directly on bone. While decreased estrogen matters, there is clearly more going on. FSH and bone is an active area of research. Subscribe Screening for osteoporosis was recommended fairly broadly before age 65, and was taken from the “Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause,” from Monash University. Here is a screenshot from the toolkit that was used as a slide: I am going to add a little bit more about body weight here for clarification. Low body mass (typically 152.1 lb): 0 points (risk neutral) 60–69 kg (132.3–152.1 lb): 3 points (adds some risk)
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Diablo TV Series in the Works at Netflix
Netflix is developing an animated TV series based on Blizzard Entertainment's "Diablo" video game franchise.
Diablo TV Series in the Works at Netflix
Netflix is developing an animated TV series based on Blizzard Entertainment's "Diablo" video game franchise.
World Congress on Nursing and Health Care
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Business creating unique crochet figures
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Los Alamos Airport Open House & Home-Based Business Expo Is Saturday Morning
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Angus King urges Department of Education to restore mental health grants for schools
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How New Casino Plans At PENN Entertainment (PENN) Have Changed Its Investment Story
PENN Entertainment held a groundbreaking ceremony on 14 September 2026 for the future Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a land-based property intended to replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, subject to regulatory approvals, with opening targeted for 2028. The move shifts capital into a land-based resort format that can concentrate gaming, hotel, and non-gaming spend in one property. This matters for guest economics, cost efficiency, and how PENN Entertainment...
Lenovo's Googlebook 15 Seems Decidedly Premium Based On A New Leak
The Lenovo Googlebook 15 will reportedly have a high-resolution, high-refresh rate display and an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip.
Aware Recovery Care’s Financial Troubles Worsen, Sales Talk Emerges
Financial challenges at Aware Recovery Care have escalated, and new court filings suggest the Connecticut-based addiction
Medical groups issue ‘science-based’ respiratory vaccine guidance
Published in JAMA, top health groups team up citing ‘major concerns’ about integrity, stability of U.S. vaccine policy for flu, COVID-19 and RSV
Former employee sues Activision Blizzard, claiming sexual harassment and discrimination
A former employee of Activision Blizzard is suing the Santa Monica-based "Call of Duty" maker, alleging she was sexually harassed and subject to retaliation. In a lawsuit filed in Los
Cosmos Health Secures Additional 2.5 Million Units Under New Five-Year Contract Manufacturing Agreement with Viofar; Total Orderbook Surpasses 27.5 Million Units
* 500,000 contracted units of ROSARTIA annually / 2.5 million over five years through a new long-term agreement at wholly owned subsidiary Cana Laboratories * Expands Cosmos Health's manufacturing presence in cardiovascular pharmaceuticals, adding production of statin-based lipid-lowering therapies to Cana's growing contract manufacturing portfolio * Cumulative contract manufacturing orderbook increases to more than 27.
Ask the Experts: Access to healthcare
Kevin Curwick, president of ConvenientMD’s Advance Primary Care, discusses how healthcare organizations can actually reduce costs while delivering better care to patients by following through on the promise of value-based care.
Doctor Calls For Psychological Support For Ebola Survivors And Families
After a gruelling recent Ebola infection, Dr Patrick Oparpio, a gynaecologist based in Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has urged health
Suzanne Foley, 2026 Outstanding Women in Business Recipient
Suzanne is the founder and president of Port City Pretzels, a Portsmouth-based specialty snack food company she launched in 2015 after a long career in finance, business operations and healthcare administration.
Rusty Taco expands nontraditional footprint through airport, entertainment venues
Rusty Taco is expanding its national footprint through nontraditional venues, including airports, convenience stores and entertainment destinations. The Dallas-based street taco brand will open its second location at Washington Dulles International Airport and its first at Norfolk International Airport this fall. It also plans to open a location at Bowlski's, a bowling alley and live music venue at 1825 Abrams Parkway in Dallas.
"Hiring Shouldn't Take Months": MCE Staffing Unveils On-Demand Staffing Solution for Growing Businesses
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / September 11, 2026 / , a UK-based recruitment and workforce solutions provider, today announced the launch of its on-demand staffing solution, designed to help businesses fill roles in days rather than weeks or months. The new service is aimed at companies across industrial, warehousing, hospitality, and commercial sectors that need to scale their workforce quickly without sacrificing quality of hire.
2026 Rising Stars: Kristopher Pockell
Kristopher Pockell is a software engineering manager at Liberty Lake-based OpenEye by day and the co-founder of Spokane Valley-based Elixir Sauce Co. by night.
Anthony A. Nozzolillo
Anthony A. Nozzolillo is a Merrick-based seasoned attorney with more than 20 years of experience.
Merchants Bonding announces new leadership structure
West Des Moines-based Merchants Bonding Co. announced today that current President Larry Taylor will become the company’s chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The CEO role is newly created for the organization. Taylor will continue to serve as chairman of the company’s board of directors. Taylor has selected Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk…
The Not-So-Secret Winner in Netflix and YouTube’s Streaming Wars Battle
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Here’s a good piece of advice: when someone tells you a company has “won” the streaming wars, just assume they haven’t. Remember the narratives about the streaming media over the last few years: 2024 - Netflix has won the streaming wars! 2025 - YouTube has won the streaming wars! Yet…in 2026, I’d categorize it as… 2026 - Netflix and YouTube are battling for talent! Netflix and YouTube are aggressively fighting for top creators, marking a fierce new battle in the streaming wars. For two companies that “won”, that certainly doesn’t seem like winning behavior. If you win, you don’t have to fight for talent, because talent has to come to you. This is a good reminder that, if the streaming wars are a war—and I think they are—we should know what type of war they are. So it’s worth revisiting one of my big theories of the streaming wars, that the war these battles most represent is… The Thirty Years’ War1 I prefer this war to other, simpler wars, because, while it featured two “sides”—based on religion—and the current war has two main sides—tech versus entertainment—it also featured a lot of smaller players battling it out, sometimes switching sides. And that’s still the case for entertainment and media, despite the above headlines. I’d recommend this truism: if someone has to tell you they won the streaming wars, they probably haven’t. To wit, if someone told you they were fighting in the Thirty Years’ War—and no, they didn’t call it that at the time—and in year five, they told you they won, well, obviously they had 25 more years to go. That’s a lot of preamble to say, the story of the week is the latest battles between YouTube and Netflix. Their battle for talent says a lot about how hard this war will be to win. All that, plus The Curse of the Mogul in action, Netflix providing more (theatrical) data, whether Apple TV is in trouble, AMC getting in on distribution, and a whole lot more. Subscribe Today’s article is sponsored by… Substack is hosting a live Emmys watch party, starting at 5PM on the East Coast (2PM on the West Coast) on Monday, 14-Sep. Check it out! Tune In Most Important Story of the Week - Who’s the Big Winner in the Netflix vs YouTube Showdown? Netflix spent a lot in 2025, and then even more in 2026 adding a host of “creators”—both podcasters and YouTube stars—to their TV lineup. Frankly, for years, I’ve thought that more major studios/streamers/channels should look to YouTube as the launching pad for future stars and IP. Either by poaching proven talent—albeit at good prices—or by treating YouTube as an arena for your “A&R” reps to scout new talent and emerging voices. Netflix started executing the former strategy—which I thought was smart—while Focus Features did the latter with Obsession. So what changed? YouTube finally responded! Yikes. That’s a strong response, and stronger than I’d argue most narratives about YouTube suggest. People often describe YouTube as a self-reinforcing flywheel of success. Get on YouTube or perish. So why did YouTube have to respond? Because other folks poaching their top talent could really damage their business, implying their flywheel is a pinch more rickety than most analysis suggests. Clearly, creators can envision a life off YouTube and potentially a much more lucrative one. The Curse of the Media Mogul is Playing Out In Real Time We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Who is the big winner in the Netflix versus YouTube battle… The biggest question about YouTube… Plus why YouTube’s saber rattling should worry talent… Why I’m skeptical that a U.S. federal tax credit for film will happen… What key change could pull Apple from the streaming business. AMC getting in on distribution… Some great reads on the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Timely measles guidance from Penn State Health
Penn State Health wants to provide you with reliable, evidence-based information about measles to help you protect yourself and your family.
$40M expansion at N.J. science center includes a goat playground, an upside-down balloon and a 9/11 memorial garden
The project will add 100,000 square feet of outdoor space, a river otter habitat, and a physics-based mini-golf course.
Alliance Entertainment Ups Fiscal-Year Movie Disc Revenue 22% to $339 Million
Alliance Entertainment Sept. 10 reported fiscal-year (ended June 30) packaged-media revenue of $339 million, up 22% from $278 million during the previous-year period. The Florida-based physical-media and collectibles distributor reported an 8% increase in full-year revenue to $1.15 billion, compared with $1.06 billion in fiscal 2025. Net income dropped 13% to $13 million from $15 … Continue reading "Alliance Entertainment Ups Fiscal-Year Movie Disc Revenue 22% to $339 Million"
Alliance Entertainment Ups Fiscal-Year Movie Disc Revenue 22% to $339 Million
Alliance Entertainment Sept. 10 reported fiscal year (ended June 30) packaged media revenue of $339 million, up 22% from $278 million from the previous-year period. The Florida-based physical media and collectibles distributor reported an 8% increase in full-year revenue to $1.15 billion, compared with $1.06 billion in fiscal 2025. Net income dropped 13% to $13 … Continue reading "Alliance Entertainment Ups Fiscal-Year Movie Disc Revenue 22% to $339 Million"
Fusion energy finds a new national defense market
Fusion energy, long viewed primarily as a potential source of clean electricity, is taking on a new potential role in national defense, The Wall Street Journal reports. Denver-based fusion startup Xcimer Energy has partnered with aerospace and defense company RTX on a roughly $50 million development agreement, including an RTX investment, to develop pulsed ultraviolet […]
Augusta Health Showcases Community-Based Approach to Strengthening Rural Health Care
State leaders visit Augusta Health during the Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Retreat FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA — Improving rural health care means looking beyond the immediate challenges facing hospitals and health systems. It requires investing in people, programs, and partnerships that keep care accessible and help communities remain healthy over the long term. This […]
Could Yeast Help Build 3D-Printed Habitats on Mars? Scientists Are Testing the Recipe
A yeast-based material turns Mars’s hostile environment into part of the construction process.
The Central American Voices Film Festival is coming to Los Angeles
The Central American Voices Film Festival (CAVFF) is a Los Angeles–based film festival taking place this weekend and is dedicated to amplifying the stories, cultures, and creative voices of filmmakers
Sticktoitiveness: An innovative approach, serendipitous connections, never giving up lead to new decal shop in Boise
Idaho Decals opens a Boise-based custom sticker and decal printing business, leveraging local tech talent and supporting Idaho supply chains.
Lil’ Drug Store Products acquires Navajo’s Health, Beauty and Wellness business
Lil’ Drug Store Products, Inc. (LDSP), based in Cedar Rapids, announced the completed acquisition of Navajo Incorporated‘s Health, Beauty, and Wellness business. The acquisition was completed Sept. 4, according to a release. Opened in 1974, the family-owned Lil’ Drug Store Products provides distribution, category management, and brand partnerships across various retail channels such as health […]
Lil’ Drug Store Products acquires Navajo’s Health, Beauty and Wellness business
Lil’ Drug Store Products, Inc. (LDSP), based in Cedar Rapids, announced the completed acquisition of Navajo Incorporated‘s Health, Beauty, and Wellness business. The acquisition was completed Sept. 4, according to a release. Opened in 1974, the family-owned Lil’ Drug Store Products provides distribution, category management, and brand partnerships across various retail channels such as health […]
GlycanAge teams up with Japan on aging science
New MOU pairs GlycanAge’s glycan-based biological age test with ExoEarth’s exosome platform, bringing inflammaging testing deeper into Japan.
LuxWall lands federal support for Detroit glass factory
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Buffalo River Aviation can fly under own authority
Bentonville-based Buffalo River Aviation Services LLC recently received its Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air carrier certificate, enabling the company to operate on-demand private charter flights under its own authority....
Buffalo River Aviation can fly under own authority
Bentonville-based Buffalo River Aviation Services LLC recently received its Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air carrier certificate, enabling the company to operate on-demand private charter flights under its own authority....
Cobb research initiative names 2026 grant recipients
Siloam Springs-based broiler breeder Cobb-Vantress LLC recently selected eight projects to receive funding through a program that supports research to advance poultry genetics and strengthen food production. The recipients of...
Ranking the Projected Fourth Line for the Kings in 2027
The projected third line for the Los Angeles Kings are Corey Perry, Joel Armia and Samuel Helenius. Here’s how each forward will rank based on expected production for next season.
Penn Entertainment breaks ground on Iowa casino
Penn Entertainment will break ground on Monday for a new land-based Hollywood-branded casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as it replaces its adjacent Ameristar Coun
Skyline Chili names new CEO, a P&G vet, amid more than $20M in investments
Carl Stealey takes over as CEO of the Cincinnati-based chili chain after Dick Williams invested over $20 million in upgrades.
Jason Brown joins C. Bahn Strategic Partners
Little Rock-based C. Bahn Strategic Partners has hired public relations veteran Jason Brown as a senior advisor for PR strategy, it was announced Thursday (Sept. 10). Brown will contribute strategy...
Jason Brown joins C. Bahn Strategic Partners
Little Rock-based C. Bahn Strategic Partners has hired public relations veteran Jason Brown as a senior advisor for PR strategy, it was announced Thursday (Sept. 10). Brown will contribute strategy...
What Health Equity Champions Can Learn from Pharmaceutical Sales
The same mechanics can now help people meet new Medicaid work requirements or exemptions, increase referrals to evidence-based health interventions, and dramatically increase enrollment in vital programs that improve health outcomes and reduce inequities.
Pennsylvania’s biggest Medicaid insurer is building political clout
Newtown Square-based AmeriHealth Caritas has boosted its political giving and lobbying. “That’s money that’s supposed to be going out to our hospitals,” said one Pennsylvania Republican lawmaker.
Match Officials Appointed: Newcastle (H)
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Scientists create brilliant white material without a drop of white pigment
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Oz says ‘AI-based avatars’ can help rural communities. Some leaders disagree
Feds invest in AI for heart failure, vaccines and this year's midterms, and more health news from Morning Rounds
Ohio-based Clarence Health brings personalized health support to everyday life
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California judge suspends license for salvage inspection business
A California judge has suspended the license of a Los Angeles-based automotive dealer after a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) investigation found the business performed fraudulent vehicle safety …
Is San Antonio's gut health boom backed by science or hype?
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Health questions? “Ask Away.” PC Health™ launches new “Built in Canada for Canadians” AI-powered health chat
The only AI-powered chat created expressly for all Canadians, connecting people to trusted, practical information, and appropriate care optionsPersonalized answers to health questions that Canadians can trustBacked by more than 1,000 Canadian clinical sourcesAll health chat conversations are stored in Canada and are protected under Canadian privacy laws BRAMPTON, Ontario, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, PC Health™ launched PC Chat™, a free AI-powered health tool built in Canada, based
Is San Antonio's gut health boom backed by science or hype?
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Nightingale Health and Genom to launch risk detection test in Croatia
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Health insurance premiums estimated to increase upwards of 10%, analyses say
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Tate & Lyle Strengthens Climate Ambition with Updated Science-Based Targets to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Updated targets reflect Tate & Lyle’s commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Health insurance premiums estimated to increased upwards of 10%, analyses say
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Workspace designs are starting to feel like home
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Statuary brings recognition to businesses
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2026 Rising Stars: Andrew Hite
As CEO of CDL PowerSuite LLC, Andrew Hite sets the pace for the Spokane Valley-based company by defining business goals, establishing initiatives, and creating a supportive team environment.
2026 Rising Stars: Devin Mecham
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2026 Rising Stars: Summerlyn Feckner
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Davie County based business, Grail Card Promotions specializes in sports and Pokémon card shows
A Davie County based business specializes in sports and Pokémon card shows. Grail Card Promotions is hosting several upcoming shows and giving back to local high schools.
Chinese Distributor Hishow Adds ‘Josephine’, ‘Ah Girl’ & ‘Rec’ Franchise To We Love Cinema Release Slate
EXCLUSIVE: Beijing-based producer-distributor Hishow Entertainment is expanding its cinephile ‘We Love Cinema’ brand with a slate of new acquisitions including recent Sundance winner Josephine and Ah ...
Viewpoint: Unlocking Europe’s wildfire data
Europe is already investing in the science, technology and infrastructure needed to understand, prevent and fight wildfires. Copernicus provides satellite-based Earth observation and environmental information, while the European Forest Fire Information System provides information on fire danger and forest fires across Europe. Weather and climate systems add forecasts of heat, drought, wind and humidity; historical fire databases show where fires have occurred; and researchers generate increasingly detailed knowledge about fuels, fire behaviour, forecasting, modelling and risk management. Meanwhile, new European research projects are adding digital twins and other tools to this growing ecosystem.However, these data do not necessarily sit together, nor are they necessarily described, structured or governed in ways that allow them to be used together. Much of the information is public, but some is commercially held. Some is sensitive. Some is subject to legal, security or operational restrictions. Even when data can be legally accessed, different systems may use different formats, terminology and rules.Europe therefore faces an unusual paradox: we have vast amounts of relevant information to respond to the wildfire challenge, but not the means to bring it together. For example, a wildfire researcher or emergency service might need to ask whether a particular combination of vegetation, drought, wind and topography has historically been associated with rapid fire spread. The relevant information may exist in several institutions, using different systems and subject to different conditions of access.The challenge is to conduct an authorised analysis that interacts with these sources, combines the results and respects the rules imposed by each data custodian.An important part of the answer can be found in the Fair principles, the idea that data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Developed more than a decade ago, these principles have become a central reference point for modern data stewardship, making it easier for people and machines to find data, understand what it means and determine whether it can be reused.Readability by machines is essential, since AI systems will be key to meeting the data challenge. Bring analysis to the dataThe proposition is not to give an AI system unrestricted access to sensitive databases. Quite the opposite. The goal is to make it possible for approved algorithms to go to the data, rather than requiring sensitive data or large datasets to be copied to wherever the analysis happens.Imagine an analysis asking a series of questions of different data stations. At one station it might examine weather and climate data; at another, historical fire records; at another, experimental measurements of fire behaviour. The algorithm does not need to download everything. It can operate within the environment permitted by each data custodian and return only the results that the rules allow to leave.This is sometimes described as data visiting, and related approaches already exist in areas such as federated analysis and federated learning.Sensitive data should therefore not be treated as a free-for-all for machines. This requires appropriate governance at multiple levels. Access needs to be authenticated and authorised. The purpose of an analysis should be defined. The code or model being run should be controlled. Data custodians should be able to specify what can be queried and what results can leave their environment. Activities should be auditable and human oversight should remain where the consequences require it.In other words, the objective is not to trust AI with the data. It is to design systems in which AI never has more access than it needs.As open as possible, as closed as necessaryFair data should also not be confused with open data. Some wildfire data should be openly available. Other information may legitimately need to remain restricted because it concerns critical infrastructure, security, commercial interests, privacy or operational capabilities. The principle should be: as open as possible, as closed as necessary.The important point is that restricted data should not automatically become unusable data. If machines can discover what information exists, understand its meaning, establish where it came from and determine the conditions under which it can be used, authorised analyses can potentially be carried out without the underlying data ever leaving the environment in which it is protected.Restricted data can still be Fair and machine-actionable.This is also an important question of data sovereignty. European institutions should not have to surrender control of their data to a handful of technology platforms in order to benefit from AI. Nor does Europe need to start again by building one giant repository for every piece of wildfire information. The better approach is to connect what already exists.This is the principle behind emerging approaches such as Tryangle, developed through the Leiden Initiative for Fair and Equitable Science. Rather than creating another centralised data warehouse, the approach seeks to provide an interoperable layer through which approved algorithms can visit distributed data sources while respecting the rules of their custodians.In this way, a data station can remain where it is. Its custodians can retain control. Existing databases and applications do not have to be abandoned. What changes is their ability to communicate with other systems through common, machine-readable descriptions, access rules and interoperability mechanisms.But approaches like this need data that meets the Fair principles. Only then can an interoperable ecosystem safely begin to turn fragmented information into collective intelligence.Data infrastructure is wildfire infrastructureThe implications of this approach are entirely practical. Firefighters could gain better intelligence about local and evolving risks. Land managers could test prevention strategies using more comprehensive information about fuels, weather and past fires. Researchers could compare evidence across ecosystems without repeatedly moving huge datasets between institutions. Smaller regions and resource-constrained teams could access analytical capabilities without having to build large data infrastructures themselves.Europe is already investing heavily in satellites, databases, research programmes, forecasting systems and scientific expertise. The question is whether we will connect those investments well enough to turn them into actionable intelligence.That requires policymakers and funders to treat data infrastructure as seriously as physical infrastructure. Data generated or supported through European public funding should be Fair, verifiable and machine actionable by design, wherever legally and ethically possible.Related articlesData Corner: Europe’s burning need for wildfire mitigation researchClimate monitoring must remain a global enterprise, experts sayIn practice, that means funding not only the production of data, but also the infrastructure that makes data usable across systems: metadata, provenance, interoperability, access mechanisms and governance. Where data must remain restricted, we should ensure that it can still be securely discovered, verified and used for authorised analysis.Initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud offer an existing framework through which these principles can be put into practice. What is needed now is to accelerate implementation and make them a standard part of how Europe funds and builds research and innovation systems.We do not need another generation of disconnected databases. The data is already there. The opportunity is to make it work together, securely, responsibly and quickly enough to help prevent the next fire, rather than simply document the last one.Jean-Claude Burgelman is professor emeritus at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) and editor-in-chief at Frontiers Policy Lab. For more than 20 years he held leading roles in research and innovation policy at the European Commission.
New wave of healthcare fraud enforcement
In past years, federal and state authorities typically initiated healthcare fraud investigations based on whistleblower complaints and audits. While that still occurs, the model is changing. Federal enforcement agencies are increasingly using sophisticated data analytics, artificial intelligence, and coordinated investigative efforts to identify potential fraud. The Department of Justice (DOJ),…