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China challenges Science study on solar policy’s impact on birds
The Chinese Ornithological Society questioned a Science study linking China’s solar policy to lower bird diversity, citing potentially erroneous bird observation records.
Music in the Garden closes with the Carpinos
The month of concerts at Payson’s community college campus is now a recent memory, but the impact it will have on local students is long-lasting.
Business secretary to meet Jaguar Land Rover boss as thousands of job cuts expected
The company is struggling with the impact of tariffs as well as the fallout from a major cyber attack last year.
California moves to protect 35,000 film and TV jobs with new legislation
California lawmakers introduce AB/SB 186 to protect film and television production jobs in the state. The bill addresses unintended impacts of SB 122 tax legislation on the Film & TV Tax Credit Program.
Morgan Stanley breaks down elections it's with impact on data centers
Data center developers have run into local opposition across the US this year. Market pros say the bottleneck could be a threat to the AI trade.
Juventus legend Gigi Buffon on Nick Woltemade: “Impact like Ibrahimovic”
Serie A side Juventus signed Nick Woltemade on loan from Newcastle United late in the summer transfer window. While the German is yet to make his debut for the Bianconeri, big praise has come from Juv...
Sarasota business leaders earn lifetime awards from Argus Foundation
The Argus Foundation honors restaurateur Mike Quillen and the late Roland George Caldwell, founder of Caldwell Trust, for their impact on Sarasota.
Health Impact Of Fast Fashion & Toxic Knockoffs
They look like luxury. They cost a fraction of the price. And on social media, knockoff culture is having a moment.
TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: Freshman makes an immediate impact against Furman
All eyes were on Faizon Brandon as Tennessee football began its 2026-27 season.
Analysis: Tigers continue impressive start
Hull entered the third round of fixtures as one of only four Premier League clubs with a 100% record after two games. The majority of Hull's attacks on Saturday went through Mohamed Belloumi on the right wing and he almost gifted a third win from as many matches to the Tigers here with a stunning effort. The Algerian winger, 24, has shown in the opening weeks he has the quality to make an impact in the Premier League after starring in their promotion campaign.
New CTE Study Delivers Sobering Reality Check on Long-Term Health Risks for NFL Players
As NFL teams close out the 2026 preseason and turn toward opening weekend, a new medical study is forcing a harder look at what football costs its players long after the final whistle. Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, a Harvard Medical School researcher, has spent years tracing the link between repeated head impacts and brain disease in […] The post New CTE Study Delivers Sobering Reality Check on Long-Term Health Risks for NFL Players appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
CDFW: Scientists keeping an eye on river conditions to protect winter-and-fall-run salmon
From the Department of Fish and Wildlife As California continues to feel the impacts of a heat dome that is bringing higher than normal temperatures to large portions of the state, it’s a good time to remember that fish and wildlife — especially salmon — need cold water, too. River temperature management is critical for salmon’s survival and spawning. Earlier this year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that commercial ocean salmon fishing was back after being closed for three […]
Early morning shooting near a sports bar sparks safety and business concerns
Local business owners express concern over safety and economic impacts following a shooting on Cesery Boulevard.
Businesses bracing for potential tariff impact on foliage season
The number of Canadian tourists crossing into Vermont appears to have increased this summer, compared to last year, but not enough to have Upper Valley businesses breathing a sigh of relief. “We’re still hearing that visitorship from Canada is way, way, way, way down,” said Havah Armstrong Walther, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber […]
Ten Ravens newcomers who could make an immediate impact
Ten additions who could play significant roles for Baltimore during the 2026 season.
Time Magazine just revealed America’s 500 best private companies, and three of them are right here in Oregon....
These Oregon companies scored high marks for employee satisfaction and societal impact.
SAP bets on AI to recover from SaaSpocalypse downturn
SAP executive Jan Gilg discusses the SaaSpocalypse impact and its AI investments. It's been competing more with Palantir and other AI companies.
The impact of Trump’s crusade against Canada
US president appears willing to risk jeopardising midterm election in his desire to ‘vassalise’ America’s northern neighbour
Central Health considers raising Travis County taxes for mental health resources
New revenue may benefit care for those in crisis, but some local leaders worry about an impact on taxpayers.
Adult Post-operative Mental Health Outcomes Following Abdominal and Orthopedic Surgeries: A Scoping Review
Poor mental health has been shown to negatively impact surgical outcomes; however, the impact of surgery on mental health remains under-investigated. Therefore, in this scoping review, we aimed ...
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
UT Dallas introduces new bachelor’s degree in materials science
The University of Texas at Dallas launched a new bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering this fall, according to a news release from the university.
100 Years Strong: American Savings Bank’s Century of Community Impact
This year, American Savings Bank (ASB) celebrates 100 years of serving and investing in Hawai‘i’s residents, businesses and communities. To reaffirm its
Computer Science Tops College Majors by ROI, Study Finds
An Investopedia analysis reveals computer science majors earn nearly $35,000 more annually than typical graduates, achieving the highest ROI at 3,143%. Theology and religion majors have the lowest ROI but lower unemployment. Despite rising graduate unemployment and AI impacts, all majors show positive ROI.
Erie organizations, businesses rally together to help those impacted by storm
Throughout the devastating damage, one positive thing remains true: the people of Erie will always be there for each other. With hundreds of households left without power, organizations across the …
Gloria Steinem appreciation: Celebrating a rock star of revolution
Gloria Steinem always listened more than she spoke, which is one reason her words had such lasting impact.
A&M System names Barton vice chancellor for business affairs
Texas A&M University System’s board of regents officially appointed John Barton as vice chancellor for business affairs. He had been serving as interim vice chancellor since January.
Update: What We’re Watching, Sept. 4, 2026
This update covers the latest federal health policy news and its potential impact on Kansas.
TUSK Practice Sales Releases Q3 2026 Behavioral Health Market Report
TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK"), the premier healthcare-focused M&A Advisor, released its Q3 2026 Behavioral Health Market Report. The report reviews transaction activity across the behavioral health industry from the first and second quarters of 2026, as well as the forces impacting buy-side sentiment and transition options for practices in today's market.
Chiefs ‘X-Factor’ Predicted to Make Significant Impact in 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of impressive young talent on their roster.That is especially true on the defensive side of the ball. Players such as Peter Woods, R Mason Thomas, Jeffrey Bassa, Mansoor Delane, and Nohl Williams are all either rookies or second-year guys who should have big roles within the unit this […] The post Chiefs ‘X-Factor’ Predicted to Make Significant Impact in 2026 appeared first on HEAVY.
GOP consensus elusive on timing, scope of data centers bill
WASHINGTON — As anger mounts over the impacts of data centers, Republicans are wrestling with legislation that would address concerns over increased electricity and water demand that many voters associate
PDS Health and United Concordia Launch Saliva Screening Pilot
United Concordia Dental and PDS Health®, leaders in oral health and dental-medical integration, respectively, launched a saliva screening pilot in Southern California earlier this week that aims to improve oral health and overall health by investigating the screening’s impact on periodontal (gum) disease management. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. Left untreated, this condition can lead to tooth loss and infections and is associated with systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. “Gum disease is not just an oral health issue. It’s closely connected to a person’s well-being,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, president and CEO of United Concordia. “This partnership with PDS Health underscores our shared commitment to dental-medical integration and allows us to empower patients with on-the-spot data about the current status of their gum health.”…
Pinellas Community Foundation CEO speaks at business social
The organization is exploring local impact investing.
Learning from the Trees
At a joint field school on Allen Island, Colby and UMaine researchers use dendrochronology, or tree-ring science, to unlock stories of climate, landscape, and human impact
Retailers React: How has the weather impacted your business?
In this week's edition of Retailers React, we asked flooring dealers: To what extent has the weather impacted your business?
Sony's PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90
Sony’s PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90 Sony won’t license disc pressing to anyone else, Microsoft does, and a former PlayStation boss thinks that’s the whole problem. When Sony DADC chief Dietmar Tanzer spoke with an Austrian broadcaster in July about PlayStation disc production at the Thalgau plant, a number of press outlets misunderstood the report, writing that production would fall to a tenth of current levels. It won’t. Sony DADC confirmed to Game this week that the figure is a 10 percent decline, not a decline to 10 percent. “To clarify and avoid any misleading information: in that statement Dietmar anticipated an overall product volume decline by 10 percent, not a decline down to 10 percent,” a spokesperson with Sony DADC told Game. That figure covers 2028. Tanzer didn’t put a number on the years after, and the spokesperson declined to comment further. What we do know is that on July 1, PlayStation announced that physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028 and that the transition has no impact on games that have already released in disc format or will be releasing in disc format prior to that month. “So, there will be reorders going to the market after January 2028,” the Sony DADC spokesperson said. “For details around that I would ask you to liaise with the PR team from PlayStation, as we can’t speak or comment on their behalf.” PlayStation officials did not respond to questions about reorders or other disc-related matters. But I did recently speak with Shawn Layden, Game Industry Strategic Advisor and former chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios, who called a future without physical PlayStation discs “depressing, but solvable.” then added, “I think.” The chief hurdle to third-party manufacturing of collector’s editions or any other version of a PlayStation game disc is that Sony owns the proprietary process to press those discs, Layden said. “And unless they decide or determine a way to license that to some of these bespoke disc manufacturers, there’s no way to make it happen,” he said. Layden was careful to add that he understands the concept but doesn’t have “line of sight on the particulars.” “Depressing but solvable, I think.” — Shawn Layden Microsoft already licenses replication to outside plants. Xbox discs are pressed by manufacturers Microsoft certifies as Authorized Replicators, a term defined in its publisher agreements, with the approved list set at the company’s sole discretion and Microsoft retaining the right to halt manufacture. The structure is still in place today: publishers select an Authorized Replicator in Partner Center and submit a bill of materials created with a Microsoft representative. Sony, by contrast, presses PlayStation discs through Sony DADC, its own manufacturing subsidiary. No one I spoke with said they were in discussions with Sony about doing that, and PlayStation hasn’t responded to questions about whether it would be open to a licensing deal. There is an obvious reason Sony might not want to. Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed it out on the day of the announcement: it’s a platform-led decision, he wrote, designed to cut costs, eliminate the resale market, and drive all revenue through the PlayStation Store. The math is not subtle. On a $70 third-party game sold through the PlayStation Store, Sony keeps $21. Sold at retail, Ahmad says, it earns about half that. Licensing disc replication to an outside manufacturer might not be worth it. And even if it were, it seems unlikely that such a deal would come from boutique companies like iam8bit, which sells collector’s editions of video games. “We would absolutely love to find a way forward to continue making physical PlayStation games,” said Jon Gibson, co-owner and co-creative director of the company. “We are big believers in giving humans the option to truly own media. If we can play a role in helping make that a reality for the future of PlayStation games, count iam8bit in!” If it were to happen, it would most likely be with a company like Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions, a Memphis-based manufacturer of optical discs and vinyl records that also runs third-party logistics, fulfillment and distribution for packaged media. The company, which was formed in 2025 when Los Angeles private equity firm Variant Equity Advisors purchased Vantiva’s Supply Chain Solutions division, traces its lineage back to Technicolor. When it sold the division, Vantiva described the business as having served video game creators for more than 25 years. Conectiv is also buying, not shrinking. Last month it acquired SDS, the distributor for Universal and Warner Bros. home entertainment, consolidating those studios’ packaged-media pipeline from pressing plant to retail shelf. I reached out to Conectiv and its CEO, but haven’t heard back. Layden pointed to music and books in our discussion about the ongoing value of physical media. “No one ever saw the comeback of cassette tape,” he said. “And vinyl didn’t so much come back. The flame went down, the fire’s dying, but the ember was always there, and it just kind of came back. Much like the book business. We thought we’d all be on Kindles right now. “I believe that physical media is crucial and important. One of the things that makes us gamers, one of the core game mechanics, going back to the beginning of time, is collecting stuff. “Did you get all the diamonds in Crash Bandicoot? Did you get all the stars in Mario? And we like to collect our games. And we have a game shelf. And we put all our boxes up there. And if you’re super hardcore, when you buy a game, you buy two copies, right? One stays in the shrink wrap, and you play the other one. What happens to that important cultural part of the gaming world? You know, we buy the steelbook and the three-disc Final Fantasy set and the figurine and, you know, you can’t download any of that. “What happens to that?” And Layden believes it shouldn’t have been a revenue question for PlayStation. “This was a core thing to the experience of our most devoted fans,” he said. “Yeah, it’s fan service. Why would we take that away? Well, we can’t afford to. It’s already 120 bucks, you know, limited edition special purchase onyx box version of whatever, and those sell at a higher rate than the box selling at $69.99 does. So yeah, the market has said they will continue to buy them. You’re just saying you just don’t want to make them anymore.” Layden said he was recently talking with someone about these sorts of business decisions and how they’re made. Too often, he said, it’s all about the financials and nothing else. “OK, we can do this and save this much money, or we can invest this to look at that outcome, or we can do this and have this happen over there, or move this team to Sri Lanka,” he said. “But each one of those, someone also has to have a ledger there saying, ‘OK, what is the brand impact from that move?’ “Iif you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” — Shawn Layden “If we do that, dollars and cents work out. I get it. That’s just math. But what’s the brand impact? Are people going to say, ‘Good move, you guys?’ Or are they going to say, ‘We hate you guys. Quit doing that.’ And sometimes they say, ‘We hate you.’ Then you take a note and say, OK, how much of that can we live with? How much ‘we hate you’ is OK. And when does it go over the line? “I see a lot of companies making decisions which, objectively speaking, I don’t know what the dollar end of that was for you, Mr. Company, but your brand value just dropped 30 percent. So I hope it was worth it.” Of course, shifting to a digital-only model for games raises other issues beyond simply wanting to collect. The biggest is ownership. Layden pointed out that once you go to a streaming-only or download-only model, it’s just a digital footprint on a hard drive. “What does ownership mean anymore?” he said. “It’s a genuine question. Well, in fact, it’s not even a question anymore. It’s like you are shifting the model from ownership to accessibility. “And what’s always been true, which people forget, is you’ve never been able to sell your iTunes library. And you can’t sell your PlayStation download library. So if you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” The touching tribute found in the credits for Star Wars Zero Company. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Interview and Hands-On with a Minoan Masterpiece Star Wars Zero Company hands-on: Attack Astromechs, permadeath, and delightfully fatal Rube Goldberg tactics Control Resonant opens up as you get stronger — and as characters start trusting you
Dreaming Is a Political Act: How Imagination Shapes What Becomes Possible | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
A look at why the social impact sector must invest in the imagination, dreams, and worldbuilding practices of young girls and young feminists.
Lampard on Onyeka, playing 'with bravery' and Man City
Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST). Frank Onyeka, who missed the defeat by Hull City, is available for Saturday's trip. Sidiki Cherif is working towards match fitness and is now "in a position to make impact" so could be part of Saturday's matchday squad.
Top Institutes for Data Science Course in India: Courses, Skills, Projects & Career Support The Hype Magazine: Unveiling the Pulse of Urban Culture - From Hip Hop to Hollywood! Explore a Diverse Tapestry of Stories, Interviews, and Impactful Editorials Spanning Fashion, Gaming, Movies, MMA, EDM, Rock, and Beyond! www.thehypemagazine.com - The Hype Magazine The Hype Magazine - News From Hip Hop To Hollywood!
Discover the heartbeat of urban culture with The Hype Magazine! From Hip Hop to Hollywood, delve into a rich tapestry of diverse stories, interviews, and impactful editorials. We go beyond music, catering to fashion enthusiasts, gamers, movie buffs, MMA followers, EDM and rock fans, and more. If it's newsworthy, we cover it passionately. Join us for a journey through the pulse of entertainment and lifestyle!
‘The orange cone is our mascot’: Business share impacts from Huntoon construction
Businesses shared how a Huntoon Street road project has impacted them.
Howie Roseman Reveals Why Eagles Made Polarizing Roster Decision
The Philadelphia Eagles opted to keep four quarterbacks on their roster, a decision that really shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The Eagles have continued to show they have a lot of value at backup quarterback, and that makes sense. As we see multiple times every year when starting quarterbacks go down, teams typically don't have a guy who can come in and make a major impact.
Elon Musk’s super PAC starts spending to help GOP in midterms, including Texas’ Ken Paxton
Elon Musk's America PAC has disclosed its first spending on Republican candidates — roughly $800,000 across Senate and House races in multiple states. Who do you think this spending will impact most?
'The impact would be tenfold' | Mason business owners await improvements downtown
Mason business owners say the Mason Mile has been overlooked despite millions in city investment over nearly two decades.
Is Hearts' McPake poised to gatecrash Pocognoli's Scotland squad?
Josh McPake has made a significant impact since joining Hearts. Could he now do the same for the Scotland national team?
With Academy of Natural Sciences closing, STEM professionals worry about impact on students
When Atiyah Harmon brought her group from Black Girls Love Math to the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum last year, the students got a chance to see the possibilities of
Arizonans bracing for more Medicaid coverage changes
Arizona’s Medicaid system, already facing declining enrollment, is bracing for impacts from H.R. 1.
NC mail-in voting begins Friday amid legal wrangling over Trump order
North Carolina election officials say pending legal action over absentee voting won't impact the start of the mail-in voting period Friday.
How Sports Science Impacts Iowa State Football Coaches' Preparation
One of the biggest coaching adaptations Jimmy Rogers has made since arriving in Ames is utilizing more sports-science resources to aid practice plans.
Tulsa Health Department to Host Educational Presentation on Childhood Trauma
Tulsa, Okla. – [Sept. 3, 2026] – The Tulsa Health Department is hosting a free educational presentation focusing on how early traumatic experiences impact child development and behavior. The presentation In Safe Hands: How Everyday Relationships Heal a Traumatized Developing Brain is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon […]
Iowa Athletics changing some sports schedules due to heat
This will not impact Saturday’s football game at Kinnick stadium.
Lehigh Valley Political Pulse: Labor in the age of AI
Political scientist Chris Borick says AI will have a major impact on workers, but he doesn't necessarily see it as an existential threat to labor.
Voyages of Discovery: 20 years exploring the arts and sciences
ECU’s Voyages of Discovery series provides the community with access to impactful innovators and prominent leaders in the arts and sciences.
Titans of Business honored by TBP in inaugural event
From finances to athletics to spirituality to charity and all points in between, they have made a significant impact in our community. In fact, you could even c
Student explores link between social media use and mental health in youth
The American Psychological Association estimates that teens are spending an average of five hours a day on social media. At Kennesaw State University, one student is examining whether this prolonged use can also impact their mental health. Through KSU’s First-Year Scholars Program, Chance Lundy, a Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College student, studied the relationship between frequent social media use and suicidal ideation among adolescents.
Rising costs of health benefits: Total cost per employee expected to rise 8.2% in 2027
Joseph Kra, Marsh senior partner and northeast health zone practice leader, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the rising costs of health benefits, impact of GLP-1s on health benefit costs, and more.
Office security workers for OpenAI, Anthropic authorize strike
A union representing 14,000 security workers said it authorized a strike that could impact the offices of AI companies including Google and Meta.
The reality entertainment audience is changing. What does that mean for festive advertisers?
As reality entertainment audiences become younger, more affluent and multi-screen, advertisers are using integrations, participation and cultural relevance to drive festive impact.
Business school teaching case study: Can you put a price on impact?
Brazilian cosmetic company Natura attempts to put a monetary value on the social, human and environmental effects of its activities
Yankees Manager Gives Honest Spencer Jones Statement Before Angels Game
The New York Yankees have to be feeling good about how Spencer Jones has turned out this season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke about Jones before their series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.“He can impact a game in profound way on both sides of the ball, on the bases, you name it,” Boone told […] The post Yankees Manager Gives Honest Spencer Jones Statement Before Angels Game appeared first on HEAVY.
Harshest Punishments In Sports History: Where Does The Clippers Ruling Rank?
With the hammer officially dropped on the Clippers, let’s dive into the history books. These are the most memorable and impactful sports punishments handed out in history.
Sony and Microsoft say they’re not obligated to pass U.S. tariff refunds to consumers, echoing Nintendo
Back in July, Sony executives told investors that the company expected to receive $508 million in refunds from the U.S. government, after tariffs that the PlayStation-maker paid were ruled mostly in 2025 were found to be illegal. “Most” of the refund would by recouped by Sony’s gaming division, its chief financial officer said. This week, Sony’s lawyers are arguing that the company is not legally obligated to pass those proceeds on to consumers who paid for recently price-hiked PlayStation consoles. That’s in the face of a lawsuit from gamers calling on them to do exactly that. “Paying fair market price for voluntarily purchased consumer goods is not a legally cognizable injury in fact,” the lawyers wrote in a legal motion filed on Monday, as they asked a judge in California’s Northern District to dismiss a potential class action lawsuit over the tariff refunds. Microsoft made a similar argument two weeks ahead of Sony’s lawyers, in a similar lawsuit brought by a gamer in federal court in Washington State. As Microsoft’s legal team put it on August 21, in their request for a dismissal of that lawsuit: “There is nothing unjust about Plaintiff purchasing an Xbox at an advertised price and getting exactly what he paid for—regardless of whatever theory he devised months later about Microsoft’s cost structure.” Both legal fights are set to go on for some time. How things got to this point U.S. tariffs impacting a wide range of imported goods, including game consoles, had kicked off in early 2025. In May 2025, Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox consoles, citing “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” They raised them again that September. In August of that year, Sony raised the price of PlayStation 5 consoles, citing “a challenging economic environment.” Sony later told investors that its tariff fees for the fall quarter were nearly $200 million. in February of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the 2025 tariffs illegal, prompting impacted companies to begin to request refunds. In turn, consumers began suing the likes of Sony and Microsoft to get what they said was their share. The gamers in the Microsoft and Sony lawsuits argue that the 2025 price hikes of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, which added $50 or more to their sticker price, were due to illegal tariffs and should now be returned to consumers. The Sony suit started in May, when a group of gamers sued in federal court in California, saying Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) would be unjustly enriching itself if it did not pass tariff refunds to its PS5 buyers. “Sony is poised to be paid twice for the same unlawful tariff burden: once by its customers (through elevated prices) and once by the U.S. government (through tariff refunds),” the gamers’ lawyers wrote at the time. They called for Sony to partially reimburse anyone who bought a PlayStation in the U.S. since August 1, 2025. The Microsoft suit, filed by gamer Trevor Hastings against the Xbox giant in July, made similar claims. The console makers push back In late July, Nintendo’s lawyers, facing a similar suit accusing them of double-dipping on tariffs and refunds, replied with arguments that previewed Microsoft’s and Sony’s: “Nintendo or one of its retailers set a price for each product, and consumers decided whether that price was worth paying,” they wrote. Sony has buttressed that Nintendo-style argument this week by saying that the gamers have failed to prove that tariffs were the reason for its August 2025 PS5 price hike. They call thatclaim “speculative and illogical.” Other factors, including “inflation, currency fluctuations, component costs, logistics, competitive dynamics, or demand,” could have played a role. (No, the Sony lawyers do not break down the costs and factors that officially triggered the price increases). Microsoft has also argued that there’s no proof in these lawsuits that tariffs drove all or some of the price increase, as it seeks to dismiss the tariff refund suit it’s facing: “Plaintiff provides no specific allegations that would establish any pricing differential attributable to tariffs or suggest any possibility that Microsoft applied then or could recreate now any dollar-for-dollar calculation of tariff-related pricing—any more than it could any other market factor that affects pricing.” To further skewer the gamer side’s argument in its case, Sony’s lawyers have pointed to what might be a surprising defense: yet another PlayStation 5 price hike from this past spring, after the tariffs were ruled illegal. “If the original price increase were attributable to tariffs, SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment, aka PlayStation] would have had no reason to raise prices again after the Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA tariffs.” … “If tariffs were the cause of the price increases, one would expect SIE to lower prices once the tariffs were eliminated—not raise them again. Instead, the timeline confirms that the pricing of PlayStation consoles includes a diverse and dynamic set of input costs.” Judges have not yet ruled on the arguments made by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Last week, Panic, the company behind the small, yellow Playdate handheld said it would be passing its tariff refunds on to consumers. It is the only gaming hardware maker to have made such a pledge. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: A reporter’s second Second Life Wagner James Au, who from 2003-2006 was paid by San Francisco-based tech company Linden Lab to be a full-time journalist embedded in their virtual world Second Life, is returning to the company. This time, he’ll be an editorial advisor and business development specialist, he tells Game File. The new role will involve trying to share the stories of people inhabiting Second Life’s ongoing online world with reporters and by extension the public. Au plans to continue to also chronicle some of that through his long-running blog New World Notes. I’ve known Au since the mid-2000s and featured him in a 2007 article for the Columbia Journalism Review about reporters like him opening up virtual news outlets within Second Life. As I wrote at the time: On April 22, 2003, writing as Hamlet Linden for the New World Notes blog on Second Life’s Web site, Au introduced himself. “For the next few months, Linden Lab has invited me to set aside my journalist cap, and instead, don the digital beanie of their in-house virtual correspondent.” He wasn’t paid to keep it positive. He wrote about builders and eccentrics, but then in August of that year, he reported on a tax revolt against Linden Lab (a complaint about the fees it charges users who build stuff) led by a resident whose avatar was a big cat. Second Life has always been less of a video game and more of a virtual world where people can live, hang out, make art, sell virtual items and flirt. Back in 2007, Au described touring it as “sort of like underwater lucid dreaming.” For the past two decades, Au has maintained New World Notes as an independent publication. But he said he’s been drawn back to Second Life and Linden Lab as a place to directly work. The virtual world has around 650,000 monthly active users, he said, “which is actually about what it was during the hype wave.” Au says he’s still finding rich stories in Second Life, the kind that keep him interested 20 years into the beat: “Over the last few months for instance, I wrote about an SL creator in Venezuela whose apartment was destroyed by the earthquakes, so the global SL community rallied to get him back on his feet,” he told me. “Then there’s the woman from a Middle Eastern country who explored her lesbian sexuality in SL, then earned enough from her virtual jewelry to escape her abusive family situation and country.” Au wants to beckon more reporters to give Second Life another look. He argues that it is often ahead of internet trends, noting, for example, an early backlash in the community against AI-made art. Now the platform is drawing curiosity from more of the user-generated content community who’ve grown up with the likes of Roblox, according to Au. “Second Life was too early during its hype wave in 2005-2010, but it now feels right for a new wave of interest,” he told me.
Asthma Is Worse for Women. Doctors Are Finally Starting to Figure Out Why.
Scientists are learning how female hormones may impact asthma risk and severity from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause.
Luminis Health impacted by cybersecurity incident
Luminus Health cyberattack forces Anne Arundel Medical Center to reroute patients
A cybersecurity expert said incidents like the one impacting the medical center may become more common.
The FBI investigation of Mark Walter, no matter the outcome, will have a negative impact on the perception of the Dodgers
Everyone can help: Recognizing the signs and preventing suicide
Mental health challenges affect people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. Yet conversations about these concerns aren’t always easy to discuss. That’s especially true when it comes to a topic like suicide, which remains a leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for more than 48,000 deaths each year. The impact […]
Trump says midterms won't impact Iran war efforts: 'I'm not running'
President Donald Trump said the looming November midterms won't affect his commitment to the Iran war ‒ noting that he's not on the ballot.
Republicans Just Handed Democrats a Surprisingly Potent Win
Even Joe Rogan thinks it could impact the midterms.
Expert analyzes impact of Clancy trial on mental health care
Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno discusses the latest on the Lindsay Clancy trial during 'Outnumbered' as the jury continues deliberations for a fifth day.
Penn State Dairy Barns made animal science student 'feel at home'
Three years of working in Penn State’s Dairy Barns have been impactful for Hannah Mansfield, a spring 2026 College of Agricultural Sciences graduate who is pursuing a master’s degree in animal science.
Patients and Doctors, Shaken by the Clancy Trial, Seek Extra Help
Requests for advice from women with maternal mental health conditions, as well as health providers who care for them, have surged.
How will Stan Kroenke impact the Angels? We asked reporters who have covered his other teams
Los Angeles Angels fans rejoiced on Tuesday after news broke that longtime owner Arte Moreno was selling the team for $4 billion to Stan Kroenke, whose Kroenke Sports and Entertainment owns a collection of franchises across multiple leagues. Under the group’s umbrella, Kroenke owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and Arsenal in the English Premier League. He also owns MLS’ Colorado Rapids and the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth. Each of those teams has won at least one league title during Kroenke’s ownership tenure. So what...
ATLAS publishes first paper on Public Engagement with Science
You can’t exactly take the ATLAS experiment on tour. At 7,000 tonnes and buried 100 metres underground at CERN, it’s not easy to move. So, for more than a decade, the ATLAS Collaboration has found another way to bring the experiment to people around the world: live, interactive virtual visits with the scientists who work on it. In a recent paper published in the European Physical Journal Plus, the ATLAS Collaboration documents the evolution and impact of its flagship Virtual Visits programme. The paper is the Collaboration’s first publication focused specifically on science education, communication and outreach. It traces the programme from its beginnings as an experimental outreach effort in 2010 through its growth into a global programme – connecting classrooms in the Amazon, schools in the Himalayas and even a research station in Antarctica. Drawing on data collected between 2019 and 2025, the paper examines the programme’s reach and impact. Global reach, local connection Figure 1: World map showing the number of virtual visits across participating countries from 2019 to 2025. Cooler colours (purple and blue) are used for countries with fewer visits, and warmer colours (red and orange) for countries with more visits. (Image: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN) The core mission of the ATLAS Virtual Visit programme is to connect audiences worldwide with particle physicists and engage them in accessible discussions about cutting-edge research. While visiting CERN in person is an unforgettable experience, financial and logistical barriers can make such a trip difficult for many students and public groups. Video conferencing has allowed the Collaboration to break down these barriers: between 2019 and 2025, the Collaboration hosted 698 virtual visits, engaging tens of thousands of participants across nearly 70 countries (see Figure 1). Interactivity is central to the programme. Far from simple one-way broadcasts, Virtual Visit audience members are encouraged to engage in conversation with the scientist(s) hosting the visit. Most hosts are volunteers from the ATLAS Collaboration, who bring their diverse scientific expertise, language skills and cultural backgrounds to each visit. Where possible, audiences are paired with volunteer scientists who share their native language and cultural background, making it easier to engage, ask questions and connect with the hosts. Between 2019 and 2025, Virtual Visits were held in 19 different languages. The core mission of the ATLAS Virtual Visit programme is to connect audiences worldwide with particle physicists and engage them in accessible discussions about cutting-edge research. Constant evolution Figure 2: The number of ATLAS Virtual Visits organised annually since 2019. (Image: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN) The ATLAS Virtual Visit programme has continuously evolved to enhance the visitor experience. Early sessions were hosted directly from the ATLAS Control Room before transitioning in 2014 to a dedicated space in the ATLAS Visitor Centre, equipped with modern videoconferencing technology. In 2019, the ATLAS Collaboration expanded the programme’s reach, introducing live Virtual Visits from the experimental cavern during year-end maintenance stops and long LHC shutdowns. These exclusive sessions take participants beyond the ATLAS visitor platform, offering real-time, up-close views of the towering detector. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings worldwide, demand for virtual engagement surged. The ATLAS Collaboration adapted rapidly by introducing Open Virtual Visits streamed via Zoom and YouTube, allowing individual science enthusiasts and families to join live guided tours. Figure 2 shows that the programme reached a peak of 155 visits in 2021 and has since maintained around 100 visits per year, demonstrating sustained engagement beyond the pandemic-driven increase. More than just a tour Beyond participation numbers, the paper highlights the positive impact on participants and educators. Teachers report successfully integrating Virtual Visits into their physics curricula, sparking sustained curiosity and in many cases inspiring students to pursue STEM studies and careers. Feedback received also highlighted how the direct dialogue with ATLAS scientists has given students an authentic and personal perspective on particle physics, helping them connect what they learn in the classroom with the people behind ATLAS research. Looking ahead, the programme will continue to evolve with new technologies and communication platforms. The goal is simple: to give even more audiences the opportunity to engage directly with particle physics and make fundamental science open to all. Learn more Breaking barriers: the impact of ATLAS Virtual Visits in science communication (Eur. Phys. J. Plus 141, 874 (2026), arXiv:2601.22457, see figures) ATLAS Virtual Visit Dashboard Register for an ATLAS Virtual Visit
Venus May Once Have Suffered A "Moon-Forming" Impact, But The Resulting Satellite Wouldn't Have Stuck Around For Long
It seems a large companion is difficult for a planet that size and distance from the Sun to hold on to, which might be bad news for life on Venus-like exoplanets.
New FDNY report details 25 years of 9/11 health impacts
FDNY members in the program are entitled to free testing and treatment.
Ask the expert: Building a journal on workplace science
Frederick Morgeson, Eli Broad Professor of Management in MSU's Broad College of Business, explains the impact of an academic journal he established.
Creighton Index shows a slight gain in Arkansas business confidence
Economic activity improved in the mid-America region thanks to growth in the manufacturing sector. Negative impacts of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and inflation were a drag on the...
Judge strikes down N.Y. Climate Change Superfund Act
"I think this was an attempt by the state as they say ‘have their cake and eat it too’ to impose these assessments and they thought in a way it would not impact consumers of fuels."
Judge strikes down N.Y. Climate Change Superfund Act
"I think this was an attempt by the state as they say ‘have their cake and eat it too’ to impose these assessments and they thought in a way it would not impact consumers of fuels."
Vermont business leaders discuss the impacts of tariffs
Vermont Democratic Senator Peter Welch was in the northern part of his state Tuesday morning to hear from Vermont businesses about the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canada
Report offers new information on health impact of 9/11 attacks on FDNY first responders
Lake Austin business owners concerned about economic impact of lake drawdown in the fall
Next month, Lake Austin will be lowered about a dozen feet for maintenance, but business owners on the lake say they're going to take a big economic hit with the timing of it.
Cook County Department of Public Health Earns 15 NaCO Awards for Public Health Programming and Impact - Cook County Department of Public Health
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is proud to announce that 15 of its programs received achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) during its 2026 Annual Conference and Exposition, held July 17-20 in New Orleans, La.
Voices of Our Youth Gala celebrated the impact a mentor can have
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COLORADO Denver News: When chief executive officer Elycia Cook extended an invitation to the 2026 Big Little Gala, Voices of Our Youth, it came with a note advising that it would be an evening that was “Very impactful. There will be some beautiful testimonies and some tears of joy.” She wasn’t kidding. […]
City to consider new Entertainment Zones in Sacramento where public drinking is allowed at events
Following the impact of the Rainbow Festival and Terra Madre Americas events, Sacramento City leaders will consider a new round of proposed Entertainment Zones.
Amendment 71: New Opportunity: A.16 Cryosphere
A.16 Cryosphere solicits high-impact efforts focused on sea ice, ice sheets, and glaciers. The expectation is that proposed investigations will use the wealth of data from NASA satellites and airborne campaigns to address the most urgent and impactful topics in cryospheric science, as identified in the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey, Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space (2018), https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24938.
Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas is anything but conventional. Why is it happening?
Political science experts say it's a sign Republicans are concerned about how key races will play out, including in the decades-long GOP stronghold of Texas. They expect the convention's effects to be negligible in polls, but its impact at the ballot box is less certain.
Gabriel Jesus: Arsenal forward completes Barcelona transfer in £8.6m deal on Deadline Day
Gabriel Jesus leaves Arsenal having scored 32 goals in 123 appearances for Arsenal since his £45m move from Manchester City in 2022; Jesus move is not expected to impact Barcelonas desire to sign Julian Alvarez
Politics & Power: AI data centers spark backlash over costs, environment, security
Nick Allard, Dean of the Jacksonville University School of Law, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on this week's episode of "Politics & Power" to discuss AI's growth and rising concerns about utility costs, environmental impact, and data security.
New report to shed light on lasting health impact of 9/11 rescue effort
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the FDNY is set to release a new report detailing the long-term health effects of the rescue and recovery effort on firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, officers and other responders.
New report to shed light on lasting health impact of 9/11 rescue effort
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the FDNY is set to release a new report detailing the long-term health effects of the rescue and recovery effort on firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, officers and other responders.
What can seashells teach us about the health of our oceans?
Seashells: They're beautiful remnants to carry home from the beach—and so much more! According to environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett, seashells record history more accurately than the humans who first wrote it down. In this episode, we talk about the science of seashells, their impact on humankind and the scientist behind a very famous tongue twister.Check out Cynthia’s book The Sound of the Sea and check out Emily’s reporting on sandcastles.Interested in more marine biology stories? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s hperks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
4 Ways World Affairs And Politics Can Impact Your Business Strategy
How politics and world affairs impact supply chains, consumer behavior, regulation, and growth, and what business leaders should do to prepare and respond.
‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch
Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. On Thursday, August 27, Bit Reactor’s debut title, Star Wars Zero Company, released to stellar reviews. And, from the Gamescom show in Cologne, Germany, studio co-founder Greg Foertsch was giving interviews discussing what the studio’s next game may be. But for many developers on the game, launch has been bittersweet. Fans love it. Critics prefer it to most recent Star Wars games. Zero Company, which is out for PS5, Xbox Series consoles and PC, is the top-selling game on Steam. Much of the team that made it, however, is currently going without pay. They were furloughed, just weeks ahead of the game’s launch. A rep for Bit Reactor confirmed to Game File today that the studio had furloughed many of its workers prior to the game’s release. They said it was a difficult decision and one that had been made before it was clear how launch would go. The rep emphasized that the call to do this was Bit Reactor’s alone (meaning not from publisher EA nor Star Wars license holder Disney). While the rep declined to comment on the scale of the furloughs, a previously unreported lawsuit brought by studio co-founder Alison Kelly in 2024 noted in a filing from August 12 of this year that Bit Reactor “has furloughed most of its employees and terminated contractors…” One source told Game File the furloughs impacted 80% of the team; another referred to there only being a skeleton crew left on Bit Reactor’s active payroll, ready to address any of Zero Company’s post-launch bugs. The issue is that Bit Reactor, a studio formed in 2021, had run out of most of its money just ahead of the launch of its first game. Over the weekend, Zachariah Scott, a senior technical artist who worked at Bit Reactor from early 2023 until an acrimonious exit this past May, said on LinkedIn that the studio was “concealing the fact that the team was Furloughed weeks ago.” Reached by phone today, Scott told Game File that he spoke to nearly a dozen Bit Reactor workers over the weekend. “Everybody has essentially the same story, which is, ‘Yeah, I got furloughed three weeks ago.” The Bit Reactor rep told Game File that the studio hoped to bring furloughed workers back, suggesting that a successful launch of the game could be impactful. Scott told Game File that workers he spoke to were less confident that even if there were returns, that all who were furloughed would get their old jobs again. A heated dispute Bit Reactor’s mid-2026 was almost even more tumultuous. The lawsuit by co-founder Alison Kelly that first revealed the furloughs was initially slated to go to trial in June. The suit is a she-said/he-said about whether Kelly, until 2024 the chief operating officer of Bit Reactor, was a co-owner of the studio or whether it was solely owned by Greg Foertsch. In July 2024, Kelly sued, saying she was pushed out by Foertsch. She first sued in federal court and later refiled in Maryland’s Baltimore County, alleging breach of contract and that Foertsch had unjustly enriched himself. Kelly cited damages of over $20 million, on the basis of Bit Reactor allegedly being worth more than double that. Foertsch’s side has said Kelly was never a co-owner and has countered with claims about her job performance (which she has denied). The June trial was postponed until early 2027, as both sides have been deposing witnesses and filing more claims and denials along the way. Amid all of that, filings in the lawsuit reviewed by Game File paint a picture about Bit Reactor’s origins, early aspirations around tactics games, the team’s breakthrough in drawing the attention of Electronic Arts with the help of a pitch tied to one of EA’s non-Star Wars franchises, and early fractures among its co-founders. The real story about the company behind Zero Company
US Small Business Administration to offer low-interest loans to Indiana homeowners, entrepreneurs impacted by flooding
INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Small Business Administration is planning to offer low-interest loans to Indiana homeowners and entrepreneurs who were impacted by flooding earlier this month. Hoosiers in t…
Azim Eskandarian joins the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, a
The honor recognizes the College of Engineering dean’s impact on engineering education and the intelligent and autonomous vehicle industry.
From Ambition to Action: Five Years of Advancing Financial Health and Inclusion in Banking
Our new report, “From Ambition to Action: Five Years of Advancing Financial Health and Inclusion in Banking, looks at how banks involved with the Principles for Responsible Banking Commitment to...
From Ambition to Action: Five Years of Advancing Financial Health and Inclusion in Banking
Our new report, “From Ambition to Action: Five Years of Advancing Financial Health and Inclusion in Banking, looks at how banks involved with the Principles for Responsible Banking Commitment to...
‘Slap in the face’: Wisconsin dairy farmers brace for impact with imported beef
One Wisconsin dairy farmer says he could lose $7500-10,000 a month.