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Colombia Consumer Loyalty Business Report 2026: Market Size & Forecast by Spend Value Across 100+ KPIs by Program Type, Channel Mix, Sector, Embedded Loyalty Penetration, and Platform Spend 2021-2030
Colombia's loyalty market is rapidly expanding with a focus on diverse program models such as points, cashback, and gamification. Opportunities include leveraging AI and blockchain for personalized experiences, expanding in key sectors like retail and financial services, and enhancing digital and embedded loyalty schemes. Colombian Loyalty Market Colombian Loyalty Market Dublin, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Colombia Loyalty Market Size & Forecast by Spend Value Across 100+ KPIs by Prog
By the numbers: Amazon's rapid Louisiana expansion reaches 13 locations, over 10,000 employees
"It gives you confidence," one broker said, "'Hey look, if Jeff Bezos thinks I should build something right here, then why shouldn't I?"
Broward County sees rapid expansion of freestanding emergency rooms, promising faster care for patients
Russian-state hackers exploit Office vulnerability to infect computers
The window to patch vulnerabilities is shrinking rapidly.
Youth mental health trends marked by rapid technological change, shifting social habits
The Jed Foundation (JED), an organization focused on mental health for teens and young adults, laid out the emerging risks and opportunities in the year ahead.
Entertainment lineup, schedule announced for 2026 Double Decker Arts Festival
The 29th annual Double Decker Arts Festival is rapidly approaching, and officials have provided a closer look at the entertainment lineup and schedule of
This Breakthrough Lets Scientists See Arctic Ice Loss Coming
Scientists have unveiled a powerful new method for predicting Arctic sea ice months in advance, just as climate change drives rapid ice loss.
Women's health clinic Midi Health closes $100M series D as it aims to scale a national healthcare company
Virtual women's health clinic Midi Health banked a $100 million series D round, hitting "unicorn" status. | Midi Health has grown rapidly in the past five years with a clinician network that spans 500 providers across 50 states serving more than 230,000 patients.
Trump’s AI push exposes a divide in the MAGA movement
There is a growing fault line within Trump’s coalition over how aggressively to unleash a technology that is rapidly reshaping the economy and society.
“Existential risk” – Why scientists are racing to define consciousness
Scientists warn that rapid advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, creating serious ethical risks. New research argues that developing scientific tests for awareness could transform medicine, animal welfare, law, and AI development. But identifying consciousness in machines, brain organoids, or patients could also force society to rethink responsibility, rights, and moral boundaries. The question of what it means to be conscious has never been more urgent—or more unsettling.
The Next Era of Sports and Entertainment Technology: Info-Tech Research Group Partners With SEAT to Advance Innovation and Digital Excellence Across Industry
Rapid advances in AI, analytics, and immersive technology are redefining fan experience and operational excellence across sports and entertainment...
Spring Health to buy Alma as AI rapidly reshapes mental healthcare market
Spring Health, a company that offers digital mental health care and navigation services, plans to acquire Alma to expand its offerings and tap into the startup's deep roster of health plan partners | Spring Health, a company that offers digital mental health care and navigation services, plans to acquire Alma to expand its offerings and tap into the startup's connections to health plans.
Viral AI assistant Moltbot rapidly gains popularity but poses security risks
The open source "Jarvis" chats via WhatsApp but requires access to your files and accounts.
Sporting CP’s Rui Borges: From amateur coaching to replacing Amorim and beating PSG
The Sporting coach is on the brink of taking the club to the Champions League quarter-finals - it has been a rapid rise for the 44-year-old
Even in ‘business-friendly’ states, federal policy shocks are hurting Latino-owned firms
Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are so-called “business-friendly” states worth watching because they sit at the intersection of rapid growth, demographic dependence, and policy volatility.
FX intervention justified if yen moves rapid, Japan business lobby head says
Currency intervention would be justified if it is aimed at arresting rapid moves in the yen, Yoshinobu Tsutsui, head of Japan's biggest business lobby Keidanren, said on Tuesday.
Why concrete is becoming a climate flashpoint for AI
The rapid expansion of U.S. data centers to support artificial intelligence is creating a new climate challenge—one that begins long before servers are powered on, Bloomberg writes. The massive facilities require enormous amounts of concrete, a carbon-intensive material that could generate nearly 2 million metric tons of CO2 through 2030 if built with traditional methods, […]
Smart Lock Market Global Strategic Business Report 2026 | Now Available with Latest Forecasts to 2033
The smart lock market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increased demand for smart home integration, enhanced security, and convenience, with North America currently dominating, and Asia-Pacific showing fast expansion.Chicago, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to recent data from Astute Analytica, the global smart lock market was valued at US$ 6.76 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 16.47 billion by the end of 2033 at a robust CAGR of 10.4% during the forecast period 20
Business Notes for Jan. 25, 2026
The Gazette's Business Notes is a compendium of the week's promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor.
Kate MacArthur shares what’s powering Ascension’s rise on the February episode of Strictly Business
What’s the story—and strategy—behind Ascension Parish’s rapid rise as an economic heavyweight? That’s the focus of the February episode of Strictly Business featuring Ascension Economic Development Council President and CEO Kate MacArthur. She’ll break down how Ascension quietly became one of Louisiana’s most consequential growth stories—and what business leaders across the Capital Region and beyond […]
Trump’s ‘run it hot’ economic strategy could work — but it’ll cost Americans dearly
There’s a pitch taking root within the Trump administration and some corners of Wall Street that envisions two somewhat incompatible realities playing out at once: rapid economic growth and low inflation.
Trump 2.0: Altered Global Politics, Focus on Vets, & Pushed Military Might
President Trump’s first year back in office reshaped U.S. military policy, veterans benefits and foreign relations while triggering sharp debate over the durability of his rapid-fire agenda.
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Two Ways You Can Prevent Cervical Cancer
January 22, 2026 Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Two Ways You Can Prevent Cervical Cancer January Marks Cervical Health Awareness Month WARRENTON, Va.– Cervical cancer is highly preventable, yet thousands of women die from it each year in the United States. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District encourages you to take two simple steps […]
Intel Announces Discontinuation Period For 12th Generation Alder Lake And Sapphire Rapids Scalable CPUs
Intel's latest PCN notices have confirmed that the 12th gen Alder Lake and the Sapphire Rapids Xeon Scalable processors have entered EOL phase.
Rapid City Council votes to terminate Mt. Rushmore Road Business Improvement District
Mount Rushmore Road won't have a Business Improvement District created.
AI’s growing thirst for water is becoming a public health risk
AI’s rapid expansion is placing growing pressure on water supplies and public health.
Comprehensive energy permitting reform benefits Colorado, the mountain west
By Ron Dickson Thank you, U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, for your participation in the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus and your support of comprehensive energy permitting reform. We also appreciate U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s continued efforts to enhance our national electricity grid. The energy demands of the mountain west are rapidly growing. Data […]
Scientists Discover a Hidden RNA “Aging Clock” in Human Sperm
The molecular contents of sperm go through similar shifts over time in both mice and humans, which may lead to a rapid, dramatic shift at mid-life.
Suds & Science
Ever thought that learning would be more fun with a cold drink in hand? We've got you covered! Suds & Science brings scientists face-to-face with the public at local neighborhood bars for a night of learning, drinking, and community that you won't want to miss! Highlights: - Fun and informative lectures from STEM professionals - Lively discussions between scientists and audiences - Connection with your community in a laid-back environment "Tentacle Tinder: How Cephalopods Decide When to Swipe Right" Cephalopods (the class of mollusks that includes octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses) are renowned for their complex cognitive abilities and for their remarkable capacities to rapidly alter their body patterns for camouflage and communication. But behind the scenes, things get even stranger. Nearly all cephalopod females mate with multiple males and can store sperm for weeks to months. That means each female carries a tiny archive of potential fathers. So the big question becomes: when everyone is competing for a spot in that archive, how do cephalopod females decide who to mate with, and can they control whose sperm ultimately fertilizes their eggs? About the Speaker Theodora is a PhD student in Marine Biology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Prior to starting at SIO, Theodora researched chronic reproductive pain conditions in New York, created marine science multimedia as a science communication intern at Point Reyes National Seashore, and studied cephalopod neuroethology as a research intern at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. Theodora currently studies the evolutionary and behavioral dynamics of female choice in cephalopods, with a focus on local California market squid. When she’s not doing research or underwater, Theodora can usually be found listening to or singing classical music. Fleet Science Center on Facebook / Instagram
Students trade classroom theory for real-world business
Greenway students pitch to local entrepreneurs
High schoolers compete at regional Business Professionals of America conference
The hope is to develop skills in potential future career fields, and to advance to the State Conference in Grand Rapids
Walmart shuffles top leadership team as 'AI rapidly reshapes retail'
Walmart is promoting four execs to new roles under new CEO John Furner, including US e-commerce chief David Guggina, who will head up the US division.
Why Jenrick’s Reform Defection Fractures UK Political Right
The dramatic sacking of a senior Conservative and his defection hours later to Nigel Farage's Reform UK all-but ended the chances of any deal to unite the British right, confirming the next general election as the most widely contested in decades. Some Tories had held out hopes they could forge a pact with the insurgent Reform party that has rapidly eclipsed them in voter affections. The fallout from leader Kemi Badenoch's shock decision to fire her rival Robert Jenrick on Thursday put that further from reach. Our UK Politics Reporter James Woolcock joined Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden on Bloomberg Radio to discuss. (Source: Bloomberg)
Curt Cignetti's unique blueprint behind Indiana's rapid rise has everyone taking notes
Indiana's rise isn't about stars or spending sprees. It's about experience, evaluation and a transfer portal blueprint that has turned the Hoosiers into the national title favorite
AI surges among top business risk concerns, while cybersecurity holds firm
A report from Allianz Commercial shows the rapid embrace of AI is posing new challenges for enterprise leaders.
Fact check: Trump’s Detroit economic speech
Inflation hasn’t “stopped.” Consumer prices are up during this presidential term, not “down.” Grocery prices are rising, not starting to fall “rapidly.” US businesses and consumers, not China, pay US tariffs on Chinese imports. It’s impossible to reduce prescription drug prices by “thousands” of percentage points, since this would mean Americans would be getting paid to acquire their medicines.
Trinity Health cuts 10.5% of revenue cycle jobs
Trinity Health is laying off employees in its revenue cycle department.
Mamdani weighs in on NY1's Taser investigation
Last week, NY1 launched an exclusive investigation into Taser use by the NYPD — uncovering the rapid increase in usage in the last 10 years.
The pandemic may have caused a songbird’s beak to change shape, scientists find
Songbirds on the UCLA campus changed beak shapes during the pandemic, according to a new study. Researchers suspect it might be a case of rapid evolution.
Burglary suspect detained by Rapid City business owner during early‑morning break‑in
A Rapid City man was arrested after a business owner detained him at gunpoint during a burglary on Peaceful Pines Drive.
Community helps business after water main break in Cherry Building
A business in the NewBo neighborhood in Cedar Rapids is working to return to normal after a water main break in the Cherry Building.
When the oceans died and life changed forever
A rapid climate collapse during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction devastated ocean life and reshuffled Earth’s ecosystems. In the aftermath, jawed vertebrates gained an unexpected edge by surviving in isolated marine refuges. Over millions of years, they diversified into many forms while competitors faded away. This ancient reset helped determine which creatures would dominate the planet ever after.
An all-female wasp is rapidly spreading across North America’s elms
The elm zigzag sawfly has spread to 15 states in five years. Now it's attacking the tree that cities planted to replace Dutch elm disease victims.
The Penguins defensive play is improving
The Pittsburgh Penguins might not be a very good defensive team overall, but they are rapidly improving in that area.
Tactics, fuelling, and aerodynamics: What's the science behind cycling's long-range attacks?
From Tadej Pogačar’s long-range raids to Ben Healy’s solo masterclasses, the modern breakaway is undergoing a rapid transformation as more riders go it alone
Orbiting satellites could start crashing into one another in less than 3 days, theoretical new 'CRASH Clock' reveals
Researchers have proposed a theoretical timepiece, dubbed the "CRASH Clock," which tells us how quickly satellites would start colliding if they lost the ability to avoid each other, such as during a powerful solar storm. And its value is rapidly decreasing.
WellSpan Health Announces Comprehensive Migration of Technology Portfolio to AWS
Add to FavoritesWellSpan Health, the leading health care system serving Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland, today announced plans for a comprehensive cloud migration of its full technology infrastructure. Together with Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider, WellSpan will transition its applications, data and environments from traditional data centers to AWS. This migration will establish the foundation for delivering next-generation, AI-enabled health care solutions that reduce administrative burden and improve outcomes for patients across the region and beyond. Supercharging Innovation, Efficiency and Patient Outcomes WellSpan's migration of systems and clinical applications, which serve 1.2 million patients across nine hospitals and 250+ facilities, is expected to be complete by April 2026, one of the fastest full-scale migrations in the health care industry. This transformation enables WellSpan to unify disparate data systems for care teams and patients alike, achieving operational efficiencies and care improvements that fragmented systems are unable to deliver. “Our comprehensive migration to the cloud accelerates our ability to deploy new clinical capabilities that transform patient care while advancing our overall innovation strategy,” said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO, WellSpan Health. “When a physician can access complete patient imaging in seconds instead of hours, we're not just modernizing technology—we're improving patient outcomes. Our new cloud infrastructure also enables us to quickly implement solutions that will free our clinicians from thousands of hours of administrative work annually so they can focus on what they do best: caring for our communities.” The transition allows WellSpan to move away from a data center-based model and enables the rapid deployment and scale of AI technology. WellSpan’s strategic partner, General Catalyst’s Health Assurance Transformation Company (HATCo), facilitated the collaboration with AWS to support the migration. WellSpan’s transformation journey benefits from HATCo’s specialized technology solutions, as well as General Catalyst and AWS’s significant partnership to improve patient outcomes, which was announced in January 2025. “Our decision to go all-in on AWS will enable insights and innovations impossible in traditional siloed environments,” said Kasey Paulus, executive vice president and chief operating officer, WellSpan Health. “This is the largest health care technology transformation in our region's history, and it positions WellSpan to be a premier partner for technology leaders across the country.” “WellSpan is building a foundation with AWS that will improve care and outcomes for patients across their health system by bringing data together into standardized formats that are optimized for AI applications,” said Dan Sheeran, vice president and general manager, Healthcare and Life Science, AWS. “To do this, it is essential to have the most secure and compliant cloud when handling patient data, along with AWS’s built-in AI governance and responsible AI frameworks that follow the industry’s highest standards to protect patient information. We look forward to continuing to work alongside WellSpan as they unlock the cloud and AI’s full potential to deliver exceptional care to their patients.” Key Benefits of the AWS Collaboration Full Portfolio Migration: WellSpan will transition its applications and data from on-premises data centers to AWS, including full IT environments and specialized applications for functions such as nursing, cardiology, pharmacy and the company’s supply chain systems. This represents approximately 7.5 petabytes of clinical and non-clinical data and more than 300 applications—the most comprehensive health system cloud migration in the Mid-Atlantic region. Approved Architectures: AWS will deliver secure, WellSpan-specific architectures tailored to each build, ensuring compliance and reliability across the health system. Unified, AI-Ready Data: Migrating to AWS enables WellSpan to harmonize data across separate systems, transforming unstructured clinical notes and multi-modal datasets into standardized, AI-ready formats. Accelerated Results and Improved Outcomes: Automated data normalization and processing will enable the deployment of applications that reduce turnaround times for items such as analyzing medical imaging or patient records from days to minutes, helping clinicians get patient results faster and improving overall health outcomes. Reduced Administrative Burden: The transition to AWS will enable swift deployment of AI-powered solutions that reclaim thousands of hours for WellSpan’s clinical and corporate teams, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than paperwork. Elastic Infrastructure: Cloud architecture will enable WellSpan to scale computing resources dynamically, supporting seasonal demand fluctuations without infrastructure investments, as well as the rapid deployment of new services across multiple locations simultaneously. Most Secure, Compliant Cloud: AWS offers the highest network availability of any cloud provider, with more than 166 HIPAA-eligible services and certifications for global compliance standards, including HITRUST CSF. Built-in AI governance and responsible AI frameworks ensure that WellSpan’s data is protected under the industry’s most rigorous standards. Tags:News releaseInnovation and partnerships
Trump suddenly sounds a lot like a progressive Democrat when it comes to business
President Donald Trump made two extraordinarily unusual policy statements in rapid succession Wednesday that sent stocks sinking and raised serious questions about the limits of presidential power in a free-market economy.
Rapid reaction: Prioritizing health for playoffs, Packers now get ‘clean slate’
Last year’s Week 18 weighed heavily in decision-making process
AI’s reckoning with reality represents a growing economic risk for 2026
Revenues may be rising rapidly, but not by nearly enough to cover the wild levels of investment under way
Commanders vs. Eagles bold predictions for Week 18 clash
With the 2025 regular season rapidly coming to an end, the Commanders and Eagles have one final chance to mix it up in an NFC East showdown.
Rapid relocation testing resilience of Marketplace Mall's displaced business owners
Many store owners once located inside the Marketplace Mall in Henreitta are settling into their new spaces on Friday.
Did an exploding comet wipe out the mammoths?
Scientists are uncovering new clues that a cosmic explosion may have rocked Earth at the end of the last ice age. At major Clovis-era sites, researchers found shocked quartz—evidence of intense heat and pressure consistent with a comet airburst rather than volcanism or human activity. The event could have sparked massive fires, blocked sunlight, and triggered a rapid return to ice-age conditions. These harsh changes may explain the sudden loss of megafauna and the disappearance of the Clovis culture.
Political winners and losers of 2025
President Trump’s return to power dominated 2025. He began his second term with rapid moves aimed at shifting the nation’s political culture — and then just kept going. Trump’s approach cleav…
Flu activity rising in New Hampshire, health officials say
As flu cases skyrocket across the country, New Hampshire health officials say cases are also rapidly rising in the Granite State.
In a tumultuous year, U.S. health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
The department’s rapid transformation has garnered praise from MAHA supporters who say they long viewed HHS as corrupt and untrustworthy and have been waiting for such a disruption.
2025: Entertainment across the Roanoke Valley
Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County News from RRSpin
Scientists found a dangerous feedback loop accelerating Arctic warming
The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release heat and pollutants that form clouds and speed up melting, while emissions from nearby oil fields alter the chemistry of the air. These interactions trigger feedback loops that let in more sunlight, generate smog, and push warming even further. Together, they paint a troubling picture of how fragile the Arctic system has become.
10 AI Agent Platforms Every Business Leader Needs To Know
AI agents are moving rapidly from experimentation to everyday business use, but choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming.
Petah Tikva declared 'red city' for measles outbreak, six-month-old children to be vaccinated
According to the ministry’s statement, the exceptional step was taken due to the rapid spread of the disease in the city and the makeup of the population.
The 'Godfather of AI' warns 2026 will bring a new wave of AI job losses
Geoffrey Hinton says AI's rapid progress could trigger a new wave of job losses in 2026. "It's going to be able to replace many other jobs," he said.
Business Notes for Dec. 28, 2025
The Gazette's Business Notes is a compendium of the week's promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor.
The Year in Climate: Attacks on Science, the Start of Trump’s Second Term and Surging Electricity Demand Foreshadow a Future Filled with Uncertainty
Global inaction on fossil fuel and plastic treaties, the dismantling of federal agencies and regulations and the rapid rise of data centers were just a few of the consequential stories that Inside Climate News tracked in 2025.
Forget Target. This year's last-minute holiday shoppers flocked to a lesser-known — but fast-growing
Ollie's, which aims to provide customers with a "treasure-hunt" vibe, has been experiencing rapid growth, opening 86 locations in 2025.
Gukesh, Humpy lead Indian challenge at World Rapid C'ships; Badminton nationals continue: Indian Sports LIVE, December 26
Follow all the updates from Indian sports on December 26, 2025.
Grand Rapids malls invest in new attractions to overcome ongoing traffic challenges
Woodland Mall in Kentwood and Rivertown Crossings in Grandville have each continued to invest in new tenants and upgrades.
Did 2025 mark the end of British parliamentary democracy as we know it?
The conventions and rituals that define the way we do politics rapidly eroded this year – setting the UK on a course into the unknown, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett
AI is transforming everything about how we work — and it's doing it a rapid pace unlike anything before it
AI transformation, workforce strategy, and new job roles are reshaping how companies like ServiceNow and Weber Shandwick operate today.
Kalamazoo salon owner faces financial uncertainty after car crash damages business
WWMT-TV Newschannel 3 provides local news, weather forecasts, notices of events and entertainment programming for Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, South Haven, Paw Paw, Portage, Otsego, Texas Township, Oshtemo, Plainwell, Allegan, Holland, Saugatuck, Holland, Wayland, Kentwood, Middleville, Hastings, Marshall, Three Rivers, Sturgis, Constantine, Coldwater, Albion, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Allendale, Byron Center, Hudsonville, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Sparta, Rockford, Belding, Greenville, Ionia, Cedar Springs and their surrounding areas.
Apple Clings to Samsung as RAM Prices Soar
Apple is significantly increasing its reliance on Samsung for iPhone memory as component prices surge, according to The Korea Economic Daily. Apple is said to be expanding the share of iPhone memory it sources from Samsung due to rapidly rising memory prices. The shift is expected to result in Samsung supplying roughly 60% to 70% of the low-power DRAM used in the iPhone 17, compared with a more even split with SK Hynix in previous generations, with Micron also participating as a smaller supplier.
Zorts Sports Announces Strategic Partnership With GAME Network to Expand Youth and Amateur Sports Visibility
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zorts Sports, a leading sports-technology platform powering youth and amateur tournaments nationwide, today announced a strategic partnership with GAME Network, a rapidly growing sports-streaming and athlete-driven content network. The partnership brings together Zorts’ tournament infrastructure and GAME Network’s media and broadcasting capabilities to create a more connected ecosystem for athletes, event operators, families, and fans. Zorts provides
Rapid takeaways as Lions suffer devastating loss vs. Steelers
Rapid takeaways following the Lions' 29-24 heartbreaker at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.
Cedar Rapids firefighters work to put out large fire at business
Officials are urging people to stay away from the area as crews work.
Turning plastic waste into valuable chemicals with single-atom catalysts
The rapid accumulation of plastic waste is currently posing significant risks for both human health and the environment on Earth. A possible solution to this problem would be to recycle plastic waste, ...
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is rapidly moving away from us. Can we 'intercept' it before it leaves us forever?
3I/ATLAS has passed its closest point to Earth, meaning we will soon lose sight of it for good. Some scientists want to send a spacecraft to chase down the alien comet — or the next interstellar object.
NASA Webb Telescope Discovers Lemon-Shaped Planet, the ‘Stretchiest’ Ever Seen
An unusual object orbiting a rapidly spinning star might be a new phenomenon in the universe.
The Muttropolitan Pet: A Small Business Making Big Moves in the DMV
This small business spotlight features The Muttropolitan Pet, a Washington, DC gem that has grown rapidly thanks to the vision and passion of its founder.
A new era for sports communication at UNC Hussman | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
As director of UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Focus Program, Distinguished Associate Professor of Sports Communication Livis Freeman is building on the work of the school’s legendary Distinguished Professor for Sports Communication John Sweeney. Sweeney, who retired last year, developed one of the most respected sports communication programs in the country. Freeman, now in his 12th year at the school, is launching an ambitious expansion of the program that is transforming how UNC prepares students for careers in sports media. The most visible change came this fall with a reimagining of “MEJO 377: Sports Communication.” Previously offered as two sections with 30 students each, the course expanded to 96 students and welcomed former UNC basketball star and NBA veteran Tyler Hansbrough as the co-instructor with Freeman, bringing real world professional experience directly into the classroom every week. The course has been a huge success. Students have participated in recording a podcast with Hansbrough and learned from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Steve Kirschner, UNC’s senior associate director of athletics for communications, was the first in the course’s guest speaker series, followed by UNC Hussman alumni including Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23 from Bleacher Report, Deaton Bell ’90 from Turner Sports and Becca Royer ’19 from the Philadelphia 76ers. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, also shared his insights with the class. The highlight of the semester came when Roy Williams, who coached Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009, visited the classroom. Former UNC men’s basketball players Luke Maye and Marcus Ginyard showed up to support their former coach and Hansbrough, creating an unforgettable experience as Williams entertained students with stories and insights that captivated the room. Student demand has been overwhelming. The course reached capacity within two days of registration opening, with more than 40 students on the waitlist. “Students want to learn from people who have actually lived these experiences,” Freeman said. “Tyler shares insights into media relations, broadcast production and athlete communications that you simply can’t get from a textbook.” The model proved so successful that the school secured funding to continue it for the next five years, with a different former professional athlete co-teaching each fall. The school’s curriculum committee approved a proposal to expand the course to 150 to 200 students starting in fall 2026. This change will make it an introductory course accessible to students from across the University, transforming it into a showcase course for the entire campus. The course redesign represents just one piece of a broader sports communication program overhaul. This fall, the curriculum committee approved “MEJO 390: Sports Play by Play,” the first course of its kind at UNC. Limited to 10 advanced students, the course will be taught by Matt Krause, the current voice of UNC women’s basketball and an ACC Network broadcaster. Students will call actual games across multiple sports including women’s softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as men’s soccer and lacrosse. They will also shadow broadcasts of men’s and women’s basketball games. “The sports broadcasting industry is exploding with streaming platforms and conference networks creating unprecedented demand,” Freeman said. The course emerged directly from student advocacy, led by Anna Laible ’26 and others who pushed for hands-on broadcasting experience. Professional equipment has been acquired, partnerships with UNC Athletics are in place and a soft launch began this semester with three experienced students calling games to test the system. The program’s growth extends into other specialized areas as well. Last spring, Stembler Professor Charlie Tuggle launched a new sports event management and hospitality course in partnership with On Location, a company that manages major sporting event experiences. The course provided students with opportunities to travel to the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, and Tuggle plans to take a group to the 2026 Milan Olympics this spring. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Associate Professor Ryan Thornburg will debut a sports data visualization course, adding another dimension to the program’s skill-building offerings. The curriculum expansion reflects the increasingly diverse career paths available in sports media, from traditional journalism and broadcasting to digital analytics and strategic communication. The program is also diving into one of college athletics’ most transformative developments: Name, Image and Likeness rights. Freeman’s “MEJO 466: Sports Marketing” class collaborated last spring with Associate Professor Gary Kayye’s “MEJO 371: Advertising Creative” class on a project with UNC’s Carolina NIL group to help rebrand their organization. That same semester, Kayye’s class envisioned Chapel Thrill, UNC football’s new pregame concert and entertainment experience. And Shaun Anderson, the school’s Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media, continues to explore the broader implications of NIL through his research and teaching. These NIL-focused initiatives give students direct exposure to the business side of college athletics at a moment when the landscape is rapidly evolving. “Our students aren’t just learning about these changes,” Freeman said. “They’re actively helping shape how schools and athletes navigate them.” The transformation of UNC Hussman’s sports communication program reflects a broader philosophy about how to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing industry. By bringing in professional practitioners like Hansbrough and Krause, partnering with industry leaders like On Location and ACC Network, and engaging with current issues like NIL, the program ensures students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. For alumni who remember the foundations John Sweeney built, the expansion represents an evolution rather than a departure. The program still emphasizes strong reporting, strategic communication, ethical communication and critical thinking. But now it also offers students the chance to call live games, work on real NIL campaigns and learn directly from former professional athletes. “We’re not just teaching students about sports media,” Freeman said. “We’re giving them the tools, experiences and connections to actually build careers in it.” With new courses launching, professional partnerships deepening and enrollment expanding, UNC Hussman’s sports communication program is positioning itself as a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports media professionals. For current students, the message is clear: if you’re interested in sports communication, there’s never been a better time to be at UNC Hussman. And for the hundreds of students trying to get off waitlists and into these new courses, the school is working to create more opportunities. The program John Sweeney built is growing in ways that honor his legacy while meeting the demands of a new era in sports media.
GRFD, Corewell Health team up on emergency response to cut down ER visits
A new six-month pilot program was launched Tuesday to help reduce the number of emergency room visits and better coordinate emergency response in Grand Rapids.
Innovation, evolution, revolution - golf's new faces championing change
With an influx of new people at the head of the sport's most important bodies, the groundwork is being laid for rapid change, writes Iain Carter.
FSU names new AVP for Research Business Strategy and Operations
In a move to bolster Florida State University’s rapidly expanding research enterprise, Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson has announced the
Florida's Latino families being squeezed financially by high health care, child care costs
The findings, released by Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights group, paint a portrait of a rapidly growing electorate that is highly engaged on economic and social issues but increasingly strained by the rising cost of living in the Sunshine State.
Florida's Latino families being squeezed financially by high health care, child care costs
The findings, released by Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights group, paint a portrait of a rapidly growing electorate that is highly engaged on economic and social issues but increasingly strained by the rising cost of living in the Sunshine State.
Rapid Reaction: Northwestern takes care of business, defeating Jackson State 93-53
Your best source for quality Northwestern Wildcats news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
Space Force officials fear program delays from small business fund fight
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office already is seeing an impact from the congressional impasse on reauthorizing Pentagon use of Small Business Innovation Program grants, Director Kelly Hammett said.
Superbet Group becomes Super Technologies, shaping the future of digital entertainment ecosystems
BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superbet Group, a leading company in the global technology and entertainment space, announces its rebrand as Super Technologies. The new identity, which will be simply known as Super, reflects the company’s evolution, its expanded vision for the future, and its commitment to building innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world. At the same time, the company will continue to operate its commercial brands across existing territories, with
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prairie strips can rapidly improve soil health
Prairie strips can improve measures of soil health faster than expected, according to new research by Iowa State University scientists working in cooperation with the Soil Health Institute. Earlier studies have shown that prairie strips established in approximately 10% of a field can significantly increase biodiversity and pollinator habitat, reduce erosion and improve water quality. However, strips’ impacts on soil health have remained largely unexamined until now. Findings published recently in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation showed that prairie strips improved a number of soil health measures within 10-12 years.
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AMC Entertainment CEO remains in charge of world's largest theater chain after stroke
AMC Entertainment said Thursday that CEO Adam Aron suffered a minor stroke last month but recovered rapidly and will continue to lead the world's biggest movie theater chain.
AMC Entertainment CEO remains in charge of world's largest theater chain after stroke
AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron suffered a minor stroke last month but is recovering rapidly and will continue to lead the world’s biggest movie theater chain, the company said Thursday. Aron, 71, suffered the stroke while on a business trip in London, where he immediately received emergency medical care, the company said. “Given his mental acuity and physical resilience, Mr. Aron remains in full command at the helm of AMC and continues to perform his duties as chairman, chief executive officer and president,” AMC said in a release.
AMC Entertainment CEO remains in charge of world's largest theater chain after stroke
AMC Entertainment said Thursday that CEO Adam Aron suffered a minor stroke last month but recovered rapidly and will continue to lead the world’s biggest movie theater chain
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