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Report: Lakers continue usual business despite sale, Buss family dispute
Sources said that L.A. Lakers were business as usual Monday despite the looming team sale to the Iger/Kushner group and the Buss family dispute.
Providence Health Plan to close completely after Medicare Advantage deal falls through
The regional health plan was in talks with an unnamed national insurer to keep its MA plans afloat. But the agreement sputtered “despite significant effort on all sides,” a Providence spokesperson said.
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
Coffee drinkers may be getting more than an energy boost. A Finnish study found that people who drank more coffee tended to have less total and abdominal fat, more muscle, and healthier metabolic markers despite having similar BMIs. Higher coffee intake was also linked to lower levels of certain amino acids associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.
How to watch several sports on the same day?
The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Dakar, Saly and Diamniadio, across eight different competition venues. Despite this, it will still be possible to attend several sporting events on the same day. Here’s how.
Disease experts urge safe animal practices amid 'unusual' rabid beaver attacks
Despite headline-grabbing stories of rabid animal attacks – including three attacks by beavers, at least two of which were confirmed rabid – experts say there is not any greater risk to public safety this summer compared to previous years.
Buccaneers Only 19th in NFL Future Power Rankings
Despite a questionable high front-office grade, analysts cite coaching instability and quarterback uncertainty as major issues for Tampa Bay’s future outlook.
GOP senator, ex-House Dem emerge from Alaska’s ‘jungle primary’ despite far-left meddling
Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola advance from Alaska's jungle primary, but a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot raises election confusion claims.
49ers top draft pick not satisfied despite red-hot start
The San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver offered some critiques of his play against the Titans in the preseason.
Poll: Gov. Sanders holds lead over two opponents
Incumbent Republican Gov. Sarah Sanders is leading her two general election opponents despite the headwinds of President Trump’s political woes in Arkansas. A new statewide survey of 1,217 likely voters...
Poll: Gov. Sanders holds lead over two opponents
Incumbent Republican Gov. Sarah Sanders is leading her two general election opponents despite the headwinds of President Trump’s political woes in Arkansas. A new statewide survey of 1,217 likely voters...
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities. That's despite government investigations the...
Oakland: Update: States Accuse Meta Of Knowing About Alleged Mental Health Harms Despite Assurances
The social media giant Meta Inc. is fighting in federal court to prove it doesn't harm young people's mental health, collect their data in violation of federal law, and that its executives haven't...
Trump cast a mail ballot in Florida's primary despite spreading falsehoods about mail voting fraud
Each election, tens of millions of Americans vote by mail, and evidence from court records and studies shows only a tiny fraction of those ballots are fraudulent.
Politics drove antisemitism probes against Ivy League schools, DOJ whistleblower says
A Trump administration task force on antisemitism pressured universities into punitive settlements despite turning up little to no evidence of systemic abuses, a whistleblower says.
Smithsonian Brings Sandy Beach Scientists to Texas A&M Galveston
Scientists from the U.S. and South America are workshopping at Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) this week to expand sandy beach research and broaden collegiate learning opportunities.The Tides of Opportunity Project, co-led by the Smithsonian’s Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) Program, TAMUG, the Smithsonian Marine Station, the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the University of Miami, is a collaborative monitoring project with marine science professors and their students.Tuesday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 21, 15 professors and marine science professionals from the United States, Brazil, Peru, and Urugay will co-design a sandy beaches monitoring protocol and associated course modules and test the protocol in the field.The goal is to incorporate sandy beach monitoring protocols into marine science courses, which college faculty and students can use to achieve learning goals while providing essential data can help researchers diagnose the health of an understudied critical coastal habitat.Dr. Guilherme Corte, an assistant professor of marine biology in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at TAMUG, is a principal investigator for MarineGEO. Texas A&M University at Galveston students and faculty package samples collected on the beach to take to campus for study in the Benthic Ecology Lab. Credit: TAMUG Division of Marketing and Communications“One third of the world’s ice-free coastlines are made of sandy beaches, and they go from pole to pole,” Corte said.However, despite their abundance and place as one of the most accessible coastal ecosystems for college-level education and research, they remain critically understudied.The Tides of Opportunity Project recognized that accessibility makes sandy beaches uniquely suited for engaging professors and students, including those with limited resources.“Any students can do sandy beach research,” Corte said, encouraging instructors to help students take a break from typing questions into artificial intelligence tools and embrace opportunities to do real science. “Providing this hands-on experience is something unique.”Tides of Opportunity Project goals include:Training a cohort of professors from across the Americas in standardized sandy beach monitoring methods; Equipping participating faculty with classroom modules, field tools, and multilingual teaching materials; Expanding MarineGEO with new monitoring sites focused on the implementation of long-term sandy beach monitoring; Strengthening hands-on, college-level learning experiences; And cultivating interest, learning, and efficacy in science among college-level students.By the end of this week, workshop participants plan to have a final version of the protocol and associated course modules that we can share with professors shortly after the workshop ends to then test with their students in courses that take place between September 2026 and February 2027.The scheduleDay 1: Tuesday, Aug. 18Location: Aggie Special Events Center (ASEC), Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston 8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 – 9:30 am Welcome and brief group introductions9:30 – 10 a.m. Introduction to Tides of Opportunity Project, Design Workshop, MarineGEO, and the Connecting Coastlines to Campuses Program (presentation)10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Introduction to workshop participants and project coordination team (presentations by each participant)• Brief lunch break from 12-12:30 p.m.1 – 3 p.m. Discussion about why collaborative science matters (presentation and interactive group discussion)3 – 4:15 p.m. Introduction to sandy beaches (presentation and group discussion)Day 2: Wednesday, Aug.19Location:• Morning sessions: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston • Afternoon sessions: Corte’s field site (location available upon request)8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. – noon Prep for fieldwork (presentation and interactive group discussion)• Finish conversation about importance of studying sandy beaches• Go through sandy beaches monitoring protocol and field sheetsNoon – 12:45 p.m. Lunch12:45 – 1:30 p.m Prep for field (including driving to the field site)1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fieldwork & bring samples back to TAMUGDay 3: Thursday, Aug. 20Location:• Breakfast: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston • Fieldwork: Guilherme’s field site (location available upon request)• Lab/afternoon sessions: TAMUG lab (location available upon request) and ASEC Rooms 102 B and C8:30 – 9 a.m . Breakfast9 – 11 a.m. Return to field• Shorter field trip – recovering samples left out overnight11 a.m. – noon Lab work12 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch12:45 – 2:45 p.m. Continue lab work3 – 5 p.m. Discuss with professors the feasibility of implementing protocol in their courses and where might need to make changes (discussion)Day 4: Friday, Aug. 21Location: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston 8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. – noon Group Discussion• How to evaluate student learning and engagement• Course modules• Next steps
‘Dead’ Destiny 2’s Playercount Now Matches ‘ARC Raiders’
As it stands, Destiny 2’s playercount is matching ARC Raiders, despite being a dead game with no more new content coming.
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities despite government investigations that were rushed and incomplete or that failed to establish legal violations by the schools, a former Justice Department lawyer ...
Global health tech competition aims to accelerate innovation improving cardiovascular and brain health
DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2026 — Despite rapid advances in digital health, artificial intelligence and remote patient monitoring, many promising health technologies still fail to reach patients who need them most. To help close that gap, the American Heart...
T.O.L.K. café mixes art and coffee, tackles NYC business costs
Ilia and Liliia Penzina's T.O.L.K. café in Bushwick blends art and coffee. Despite financial issues, they remain committed to their NYC business.
Giants’ Cam Skattebo impresses coach despite not being 100%
John Harbaugh praised running back Cam Skattebo’s skills.
Lions’ Dan Campbell Offers Strong Outlook On Levi Onwuzurike
The Detroit Lions have their first preseason game in the books, dropping a 16-14 decision to the Cincinnati Bengals on the road at Paycor Stadium last Thursday evening in a contest that featured mostly reserve players on Detroit’s side.The good news for the Lions is that, despite having several players who are banged up and […] The post Lions’ Dan Campbell Offers Strong Outlook On Levi Onwuzurike appeared first on HEAVY.
WHO/UNICEF report highlights gaps in health facility sanitation
Despite notable gains since 2015, only four in ten facilities meet basic sanitation standards and fewer than six in ten achieve basic environmental cleaning standards such patient rooms and wards, operating theatres, examination and treatment areas, toilets and sanitation facilities, leaving patients and health workers exposed to preventable health risks.
Pirates improved in power rankings despite looming Paul Skenes dilemma
Should Pirates fans be worried about their ace?
Despite complaints about other sports, the NFL has become the most predictable league in America
Over 13 seasons, 58% of Super Bowl participants had the NFL's best regular season record, making the playoffs far more predictable than other sports.
Trump blames vandals for damaged grass in the spot where he held his July 4 celebration
Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to his renovation projects in the nation's capital, often without evidence and sometimes despite opposing accounts from his officials.
Entertainment value of European soccer remains high despite top clubs' dominance
The appeal of soccer matches to spectators is a key factor in the success of professional sports leagues. League officials therefore seek to make competitions as interesting as possible. But how can the ...
The Sinking City 2 review – Ukrainian cosmic horror, come hell or high water
Frogwares’ Lovecraftian action-horror is full of grim tenacity and pulp paperback charm, despite a few frayed edges
Reform’s Tice says people should stop tackling climate crisis and ‘enjoy’ heat
Deputy leader says it is ‘arrogant’ to try to stop global heating, despite UK being left reeling by summer firewave
Despite returning to a team that has changed since …
Despite returning to a team that has changed since …
Seahawks Signing: Champs Reveal Terrion Arnold Gamble Thoughts
Coach Mike Macdonald cites deep due diligence and locker room strength as Seattle bets on the talented cornerback despite serious legal hurdles and a looming suspension.
Manchester City star insists Community Shield not just a friendly
Ruben Dias has insisted the Community Shield is a final and Manchester City wanted to win it, despite a poor performance in defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesArsenal’s...
Many Smokers Unaware Of Heart, Brain Risks Of Smoking
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Aug. 17, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Many smokers still haven’t absorbed the fact that smoking and secondhand smoke cause heart attacks and strokes, despite decades of messaging around tobacco’s health risks, a new study says. More than 90% know that smoking ...
Biggest August fall in British house prices since 2018
British house prices expected to fall this year, despite ‘Burnham bounce’, Rightmove reports
Former Oilers Coach Reveals True Feelings Of Connor McDavid
It goes without saying that Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is regarded as the top player on the face of the Earth right now, and his Hall of Fame credentials are already set in stone despite his career being barely over a decade old.McDavid has also played under numerous head coaches since being selected first […] The post Former Oilers Coach Reveals True Feelings Of Connor McDavid appeared first on HEAVY.
Ex-Patriots Starter Turning Heads With Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins preseason opener is in the books, and after a 20-7 loss against the Washington Commanders, fans got a better idea of what to expect in the upcoming season.Despite the loss, and the struggles of the team’s second and third units, there were some positive developments that should leave the team encouraged. Among […] The post Ex-Patriots Starter Turning Heads With Miami Dolphins appeared first on HEAVY.
Admiral Claims USS Abraham Lincoln’s Mental Health Cases Are Relatively Low—Despite Reported Crisis
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been supporting military operations in the Middle East against Iran for more than 260 days.
Health care experts urge caution when using AI for self-diagnosis
Despite its limitation, AI can still be a great tool, Momaya said.
I started gymnastics again at 41. My body remembered.
I returned to gymnastics after 27 years away, despite chronic back pain. Relearning the sport helped me trust my body again.
Dana White on Potential UFC Return for Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC president Dana White commented on a potential return to the UFC for Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.The former UFC lightweight champion retired in 2021 following an amazing career that saw him go 29-0 in MMA and 13-0 in the UFC. Despite being undefeated, he retired from the game in the prime of his career […] The post Dana White on Potential UFC Return for Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared first on HEAVY.
Despite health risks, raw milk is having a moment
Unlike the stuff sold in most grocery stores, raw milk isn’t heated to kill harmful pathogens in a process known as pasteurization.
Ethicists: Clinicians aren’t wrong to expect more from certain patients’ families—but they wouldn’t be right to request it, either
Many nurses have spent untold hours at the bedsides of frail and fading inpatients who, despite having blood relatives in the vicinity, rarely receive visitors. In these scenarios, it’s only human for a healthcare worker to feel some measure of resentment toward the absentee family.
Panthers’ Brad Marchand Announces Worrying Update On Social Media
Despite not making the Stanley Cup Playoffs because of numerous injuries to so many key players, one of the positive aspects for the Florida Panthers in 2025-26 was the play of veteran forward Brad Marchand.Marchand, who was acquired at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline from the divisional rival Boston Bruins and later helped Florida repeat […] The post Panthers’ Brad Marchand Announces Worrying Update On Social Media appeared first on HEAVY.
PFF ranks New York Giants' offensive line among NFL's worst
Despite major improvements to their offensive line, PFF still ranks the New York Giants among the NFL's worst.
Despite Mamdani’s Attempts to Appease, Many Business Leaders Remain Wary
The mayor’s attempt to create a business advisory council has been hampered by some concern that joining the council may be perceived as an endorsement of Mr. Mamdani.
EPA sued for approving semiconductor chemicals that may pose health risks
Environmental and community groups sued the Trump administration on Friday over its approval of two chemicals for use in semiconductors despite posing health risks. The Environmental Protection Age…
What Do Media Businesses Look Like In 2026 And Beyond
Despite many news desks shrinking, some media companies are continuing to innovate their models to adapt to a modern consumer that wants both offline and online content.
Los Angeles Dodgers Announce Max Muncy News During Brewers Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers were involved in a thriller Thursday night in their series opener against the NL-leading Milwaukee Brewers.Despite leading 4-2 entering the ninth inning, the Dodgers’ bullpen, headlined by Edwin Díaz, blew the lead. Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 road victory, with three games still remaining in the series over the weekend.Even with […] The post Los Angeles Dodgers Announce Max Muncy News During Brewers Series appeared first on HEAVY.
Montenegro Wants To Be Europe’s Next Crypto Hub, But Weak Regulation Might Be Costing It Big Business
Montenegro’s crypto market is growing despite regulatory gaps that could deter investors and leave billions in digital-asset transactions beyond effective oversight.
30 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27
Apple will release iOS 27 in September, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features on the way, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though, as the following feature list testifies.
Robert Saleh Reflects on Cam Ward's Decision Making vs. 49ers
Despite a strong opening drive, Tennessee's quarterback struggled with rushed mechanics and inconsistent play, leaving the coaching staff to focus on correctable mistakes before the regular season.
Flutter Entertainment’s Q2 Earnings Call: Our Top 5 Analyst Questions
Flutter Entertainment’s second quarter results were met with a significant negative market reaction, reflecting investor concerns about profitability despite solid revenue growth. Management pointed to deliberate investments in the U.S. business—especially increased customer promotions and the rollout of an expanded loyalty program—as factors that weighed on near-term earnings. CEO Peter Jackson acknowledged, “We recognize that this weighs on near-term earnings, but we're convinced it's the righ
Voters prefer socialist over MAGA candidate in 2028 matchup: Poll
New polling released this week suggests that a socialist candidate would defeat a Make America Great Again candidate in a hypothetical 2028 presidential matchup, a move that implies the reach of progressive leftists isn’t abating despite recent setbacks in Wisconsin. If the 2028 election for president were held today, 55% of respondents said they would […]
West Coast Health Alliance sticks with pediatric vaccine schedules despite White House ord
The West Coast Health Alliance says it will continue to endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended child and adolescent immunization schedules.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MLCO) Stock Rises on Q2 2026 Earnings
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (MLCO) reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.3 billion, down 40.0% from a year earlier, as gross profit fell sharply to $429.4 million. Despite the weaker top line, operating profit improved to $127.8 million, while net income attributable to common shareholders rose to $22.7 million, or $0.057 per diluted share.Cash generation strengthened meaningfully during the quarter. Cash from operating activit
'iPhone Ultra' Could Face Staggered Country Rollout Like Vision Pro
Apple's foldable "iPhone Ultra" may get a Vision Pro-style staggered country-by-country launch over several months, with initial availability limited to the U.S. market, according to an Australian publication. In a report labeled "exclusive," ChannelNews said today it has been told by local carriers and one major retailer that Apple's first foldable iPhone will be a "no show" when the iPhone 18 Pro models launch in September, despite being unveiled together.
Highway 92 redesign in Platte City moves forward despite business owner concerns over access
For months, business owners along Highway 92 in Platte City have raised concerns that a new median and the elimination of left turns could make it harder for customers to reach them.
53% of Organizations Struggle to Translate Business Context Into AI Despite Rising AI Investment
/PRNewswire/ -- Alteryx, Inc., an AI-ready data and analytics company, today released its "2026 IT Leader Research: The State of AI Ownership, Agents, and ROI"...
See businesses that stay in Metcalfe Park and surrounding areas
Several businesses remain in Metcalfe Park despite corporate divestment, including locally owned Hayat Pharmacy, Bill the Butcher, and more.
UK economy grows by 0.4% in second quarter as some businesses helped by World Cup and hot weather
Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as GDP rises in June despite Iran war after stagnating in May
Despite economic worries, Russian River Valley businesses report significant rise in summer visitors
Across the Russian River valley, many business owners told The Press Democrat it’s been a great summer, beating early concerns about declining tasting room and tourism-related foot traffic.
Electrovaya: ‘Underlying Business’ is profitable despite missing earnings projection
Electrovaya’s third quarter revenue was not what company officials expected, but Dr. Raj DasGupta, Electrovaya’s CEO, is still bullish on his company’s future. Electrovaya reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenue of $17.7 million, missing Wall Street estimates by over $3 million and prompting a lowered full-year revenue outlook to between $70 million and $73 million. The […]
Even After Super Bowl Victory, The Seahawks Are Being Overlooked
Colin Cowherd says Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks remain overlooked despite being the defending champions.
Tennessee Titans Receive Generous Ranking Among All 32 Teams
The Tennessee Titans have received a very generous ranking despite a horrible season in 2025. Here is where they rank among the 32 teams in the league.
After Microsoft threatened legal action, a security researcher publishes a new Windows zero-day bug
This is the latest zero-day released by security researcher Nightmare Eclipse, despite Microsoft publicly threatening to take legal action against them.
Wednesday Morning Links
Morning, all! Monday marked the first game in a stretch against a couple of cellar dwellers, and the Rangers capitalized by winning 4-1 in extras against the Angels. Unfortunately, the offense was flacid last night despite ample opportunities, so the signs aren’t pointing to a momentum building road trip. Cody Bradford was a bright spot, […]
'Second season syndrome is lazy punditry'
"I don't think Sunderland will be anywhere near the relegation zone," says sports journalist Ian Murtagh, despite Regis le Bris' side "entering the unknown" after securing European football. The Black Cats have gone from the third tier of English football to the Premier League, and now the Europa League, in just four years. "Sunderland are entering the unknown in the sense that they won't just be playing 40 to 42 games this season, they will be playing over 50 games," Murtagh explained.
Tigers seek series-clinching win over Guardians on Wednesday night
The Detroit Tigers took the first game of a critical home series against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night with a narrow 6-4 victory. The good guys got their first win against Tanner Bibee since July 2024 thanks to some well-timed offense, and somehow, Kenley Jansen did not blow the save despite feeding the batters […]
The surprising health benefits – and one drawback
Despite their small size, sesame seeds are remarkably nutrient-dense.
Flutter Entertainment’s Q2 Earnings Call: Our Top 5 Analyst Questions
Flutter Entertainment’s second quarter results were met with a significant negative market reaction, reflecting investor concerns about profitability despite...
Jays Beat Red Sox
Red Sox 3 Blue Jays 5 Despite Dylan Cease not having his usual great start, it turned out to be a good game. Cease went 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 walks, and 7 strikeouts, but gave up 2 home runs. Neither one was crushed; one just barely cleared the wall. For anyone else, it […]
Evander Kane stirs up controversy despite still being unsigned.
Has Evander Kane hurt his chances of earning a new NHL contract?
Despite federal efforts to drop some children’s vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged
Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.
Despite federal efforts to drop some children’s vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged
Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.
Sick Kids, Stalled Science: America’s Pediatric Health Funding Crisis
Pediatric health is critically underfunded, despite 1/3 of the global population being kids. But the ROI of investing in kids yields profound health and economic returns.
‘Extremely confident in myself:' Can Jake Elliott rebound from 2 dismal seasons?
Jake Elliott feels confident entering the season despite struggling from long range the past two years.
Is PENN Entertainment (PENN) A Bargain As Strong Q2 Earnings Lift Valuation Questions?
PENN Entertainment (PENN) drew fresh attention after reporting second quarter 2026 results that met Wall Street revenue expectations and delivered a significant earnings per share beat, with management highlighting strength in retail casinos and improving Interactive profitability. See our latest analysis for PENN Entertainment. Despite the strong Q2 result and recent shelf registration for an employee stock plan, PENN Entertainment’s share price is down 7.42% over the past month but up...
Patients Wary of Governments, Companies Pushing AI as a Rural Healthcare Solution
The $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program is set to flood rural America with new AI health tools. That’s despite little evidence on whether health-related AI can improve access to care and patient health in those communities.
Why LA Council chief says Nithya Raman reached ‘political bottom of barrel'
Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson says despite Raman’s claims that she’s being punished for running for mayor against Karen Bass, she knew about her committee assignment change. Conan Nolan reports for the NBC4 News at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
$100 GTA VI Ultimate Edition Surpasses Standard Edition in Pre-Orders
Grand Theft Auto VI is leading the charge in the $80 AAA race, which has understandably upset many gamers, but the $100 Ultimate Edition has been another point of contention in online discussions. However, despite the online discussions potentially suggesting otherwise, Take-Two CEO, Strauss...
Battlefield 6 Player Successfully Refunds Game After 470 Hours of Game Time Due to Game Modes Being Removed by Devs
One Battlefield 6 player managed to successfully issue a refund for the game, and this is despite pouring in 470 hours of playtime.
Saber's newest game trailer takes a shot at Gearbox's CEO, if you look closely
The first hint that something might be up with the recent debut trailer for Saber Interactive’s Rideshare Stimulator is an unusual choice of words—aside from that second one in the game’s title. “Don’t take your passengers too seriously,” the trailer’s narrator says, as he describes this upcoming game. It a car game about the gig work of driving eccentric people to their destinations, a riff on Crazy Taxi. And then, he says: “When I think I’ve met the randiest of passengers, someone even stranger gets in.” “Randiest”? That suggests “randy,” which usually means having strong sexual desire. Yet none of the oddball backseat occupants featured in the trailer seem particularly lustful. One is an old man who considers his grandson a failure, another shares the theory that birds might control traffic lights, another says he’s banned from an aquarium. A little later, there’s a license plate, shown 63 seconds into the trailer, on the front of an SUV: USB DRV It’s a Texas plate. The symbol between those letters is a cog wheel. If you know, you know. That’s a reference to Texas-based Borderlands game development studio Gearbox Software (their logo features a cog wheel). More specifically, it’s a reference to Gearbox’s CEO Randy Pitchford, who in 2018 found himself explaining the nature of video he’d saved on a USB drive that was found at a Medieval Times restaurant before being returned to the studio: “It was ‘barely legal’ porn. This girl’s handle was ‘Only 18.’” The “girl” in the video had committed a solo sex act that Pitchford, an avid practitioner of magic, found remarkable. “I realized, this is not a sex worker…This is a fucking magician.” Back then, the USB drive was central to competing lawsuits against Gearbox by the studio’s former lawyer and by Gearbox against him. A settlement in late 2019 “exonerated” Pitchford, per the Hollywood Reporter. The USB story has resurfaced at times, now in a trailer from a company that not long ago was corporate brethren with Gearbox. Saber vs. Gearbox The head of Saber told Game File that the reference is payback. “The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4,” Saber CEO Matt Karch told me when I asked him about the license plate. “Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.” Having interviewed Karch during a cross-country flight in late 2024, I can confirm that Karch was unimpressed with Pitchford during their time both working in the Embracer group. I’d approached him not out of surprise that there was animosity but that it was manifesting publicly now. Gearbox was founded in 1999, worked on a port of Halo early on, and developed hit series such as the loot-based sci-fi shooter Borderlands before it was purchased by The Embracer Group in early 2021 for $363 million (with a possible earn-out of over $1 billion, if certain targets were hit by 2027). Saber was founded in 2001, worked on a remaster of Halo early on, had a big hit with zombie shooter World War Z and was purchased by Embracer in early 2020 for $150 million, with a potential earn-out of up to $375 million. For a few years, the Embracer group was a voracious acquirer of game studios. Then, as investment dried up, it choked. In March 2024, Embracer sold Saber to an investment company controlled by Saber CEO Matt Karch, and it sold Gearbox in an all-stock deal to long-time Borderlands publisher Take Two Interactive. Other studios were shut down. Hundreds of developers were laid off. Gearbox didn’t say much about their Embracer experience, nothing too direct, at least. In the summer 2024, Pitchford told reporter and occasional Game File contributor Nicole Carpenter that Borderlands 4’s story was in some way thematically connected to Gearbox’s experience at Embracer: “There’s this cultural and emotional shift in me, personally, and at the studio. What does it mean to trade some autonomy for organization?” When Borderlands 4 came out, there was something stranger: the matter of “Embracer’s Bluff,” a location in the game featuring an AI-powered toilet and a large trash dump, according to a detailed Kotaku account of the place. Gearbox never commented on it; Take Two never got back to me about it when I asked them last year. By contrast, since Saber exited Embracer, Karch has been one of Embracer’s biggest defenders, casting their management as well-meaning and supportive despite the layoffs and studio closures that resulted from their excessive expansion. Like others, Saber’s Karch saw Embracer’s as a shot. With Rideshare Stimulator’s trailer, he’s returned fire. “It’s amazing to me how fast people forget those who went above and beyond for them,” Karch told Game File. A rep for Gearbox did not comment by press time. Game File is a reader-supported publication. Your backing makes my reporting—including any coverage of trailer-based beefs—possible. Good news! I’m currently running Game File’s first big sale of 2026. You can get a one-year subscription for 23% off. Click here to take advantage of the limited-time offer. And thank you for your support! Item 2: In brief… 🚫 Wal-Mart has laid off the staff of Restart, a games media outlet launched in 2024, Aftermath reports. 🟥 A GTA VI preview is on the way, at last, via an “extended look” that will premiere, unusually, on Netflix at 3pm ET on August 27, then officially go live elsewhere six hours later. Last week, Game File noted that Take Two label Rockstar Games is overdue for showing off GTA VI, based on the timing of the initial hands-off previews of GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. During a call with investors, Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said pre-orders for GTA VI were “unprecedented and astonishing,” but added the company can’t predict how many of those pre-orders represent bonus sales vs. sales that otherwise would have been made at launch. During the same call, Zelnick was noticeably bullish on the future of playing games over streaming cloud connections (predicting wider adoption in three or so years). He sounded unbothered by Sony’s plans to stop making discs for new games (he said the business is 90% digital already and predicted that there could still be limited edition physical editions of games “in the same way there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business.”) 👀 Take Two wrote off $43 million in their spring quarter after deciding “not to proceed with further development of an unannounced title in its pipeline from a third-party developer.” 🤔 Some rare age-demographics from a big publisher: Capcom recently told investors that “users in their 20s account for approximately half of the users of both Pragamata and Resident Evil Requiem.” Item 3: The week ahead Tuesday, August 11 Game releases: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Switch 2; already out for PC, PS5, Xbox) continues the Bethesda strategy of putting Elder Scrolls games on everything; Royalty Free-For-All is a Smash Bros.-style fighting game featuring public domain characters such as Mother Goose brawling with Oliver Twist in a stage based on the original Little Shop of Horrors movie. Wednesday, August 12 Game release: Pro Jank Footy (PC, console) is an arcade-style Australian Rules Football game with increasingly ridiculous rules, the more you play (I enjoyed the Steam demo) Thursday, August 13 Game release: Super Mario Sunshine (Switch 2, originally released in 2002 on the GameCube) is released for Switch 2’s Nintendo Switch Online service. This game is the black sheep of 3D Mario games. It’s the successor to the breakthrough Super Mario 64 and the rare Mario game built around a single (vacation resort) theme. Mario’s got a water-spraying backpack, a Yoshi pal and a lot of blue coins to collect.
New "Madden 27" turns you into a news junkie
Madden's refresh reflects sports media's reality: despite heavy layoffs and reorganizations, news remains a vital driver of entertainment and information for fans, teams and athletes alike.
New "Madden 27" turns you into a news junkie
Madden's refresh reflects sports media's reality: despite heavy layoffs and reorganizations, news remains a vital driver of entertainment and information for fans, teams and athletes alike.
US Open Ticket Prices Surge Despite Sinner, Alcaraz Questions
Ticket prices kept climbing through both stars’ Cincinnati withdrawals.
Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital cuts staff and beds despite pushback
The Department of Mental Health says the cuts are due to declining census, though demand for psychiatric care is high in Vermont.
Kelly Ripa is back on ‘Live’ after surgery... sort of
Here’s why Kelly Ripa is back on ‘Live With Kelly and Mark’ this week despite the star’s extended absence for surgery recovery over a painful gum procedure.
Should the Detroit Lions trade for a backup quarterback?
Despite signing Joshua Dobbs, should the Detroit Lions make a move for another backup quarterback?
Sleep Health: Melatonin Myths Most People Still Believe
Despite its popularity, many people misunderstand what melatonin does—and what it does not do. Sleep medicine specialists say these misconceptions can lead to unrealistic expectations and unnecessary use of high doses.
Jackie the eagle’s health extremely serious despite small improvement
Jackie the bald eagle from Big Bear Lake remains in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center despite minor bloodwork improvements.
No, Usher has not been cloned despite bizarre internet theory: ‘They can’t clone this’
“AI ain’t that advanced,” the singer wrote on social media.
Bleacher Report Questions Nick Sirianni's Future Despite Eagles' Sustained Success
According to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni may be on the hot seat depending on the result of this season. "If the Eagles falter because Sirianni fails to get his team back on track, the organization should consider a quick hook to take full advantage of the window with its current core." Philadelphia hired Sirianni ahead of the 2021 NFL season, after firing Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Peterson.
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Ohio Republicans now have no path to replace Max Miller after the ballot deadline passed despite domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife.
Phillies' Don Mattingly Shares Good News on Andrew Painter
Andrew Painter is expected to make his next scheduled start despite exiting Wednesday's game early.
Steam reportedly refunds Battlefield 6 player with 470 hours logged after EA quietly pulled Rush mode from Quickplay
A Battlefield 6 player "upset" at the removal of the popular Rush mode claims to have secured a full refund from Steam despite having clocked up 470 hours.
Broncos’ defense motivated to perform better in 2026
Despite being one of the NFL’s top ranked units, Denver’s defense is eager to perform better in 2026.
Cole Payton not lacking for confidence despite training camp INTs
Eagles rookie QB Cole Payton is learning to balance confidence with protecting the football in the NFL.
This may be one of the most stunning parts of a total eclipse
Despite advances in science, the corona, or outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere, remains mysterious. Wednesday’s total solar eclipse provides a chance to study it.
Darline Graham has Donald Trump in her corner. Will it be enough to win her brother’s Senate seat?
Tuesday’s special GOP primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on the November ballot is likely heading to a runoff, despite Trump’s endorsement and his popularity with the base.