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Nestle to divest mainstream supplements business for $1 billion
Nestle said on Tuesday it has agreed to divest its mainstream vitamins, minerals and supplements business to U.S.-based Yellow Wood Partners for $1 billion.
gamescom 2026’s Steam wishlist winners
gamescom wrapped up last weekend, and it was bloody fantastic. It really felt like the industry had a spring in its step again. The show itself was BUZZING, with 368K attendees (+3% over last year), maxed-out exhibit space, and Opening Night Live pulling over 78M online views (+7.5%). Let’s have a look at the games at the event that brought in the most new Steam wishlists between August 23 and 30. One quick thing before we start, and stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but wishlists are NOT a barometer for launch sales (they’re bookmarks, not baskets is what we always say over here at Alinea). With that aside, wishlists are a nice gauge of hype, so let’s dive in. Witche(r)s and Warlocks take the top two spots The biggest game of the event (by new wishlists, anyways) wasn’t a game at all. It was an expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, nabbed 451K Steam wishlists by the end of the weekend. It’s a big example of something we bang on about constantly: proven IP with built-in fandom is the most powerful force in this market. But said IP can also ripple into other external success stories (more on that later!). Anyway, Songs of the Past debuted at Opening Night Live, and it’s the first Witcher 3 expansion in over a decade, landing next year after a full Witcher 3 remaster (free for existing owners!) arrives next month. The Witcher 3 has sold around 66M copies, and I’ll be one of those owners jumping back in to refresh myself on the core game (like there isn’t enough to play!), then play the expansion next year. This is all part of CDPR’s plan. The studio is clearly whetting everyone’s appetite for The Witcher 4 in 2028 via a classic bridge strategy. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Releasing a free 4K remaster next month – followed by a proper expansion in 2027 – keeps IP top-of-mind across a huge gap between content (games-wise, anyway). It kind of echoes Capcom’s evergreen catalogue strategy. And outsourcing co-development to Fool’s Theory (a studio led by trusted Witcher 3 veterans) keeps CDPR’s internal headcount focused on The Witcher 4. #2 by wishlists between Aug 23 and 30 went to another giant IP: Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast and developed by Invoke Studios (a team of ex-Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and Splinter Cell devs). It’s due to launch in 2027, and it looks brilliant so far. It’s a dark-fantasy open world with third-person spell-slinging. It’s a very Witcher-ish aesthetic. As you might expect, 48% of Warlock’s Steam wishlisters have played Baldur’s Gate 3, and 46% have played The Witcher 3. One to watch. For sure! Mash-ups: Anime GTA (!?) and a city-builder for kids (and adults) Ananta took #3 with 302K new wishlists. It’s an open-world game that looks like GTA and Persona had a baby. It was published by NetEase, developed by Naked Rain, and got a trailer at Opening Night Live. I got hands-on at the show, and it wears its influences openly; there’s literal web-slinging (very Spider-Man) and a LOAD of mini-games (Like a Dragon). It’s free-to-play and out in January. For Ananta, Naked Rain is taking the free-to-play, cosmetics-only route. That’s certainly a choice for a single-player open-world game. Without gacha mechanics driving high ARPU, Ananta is betting purely on top-of-funnel reach and long-term retention. This puts pressure on skin appeal when there’s no multiplayer lobby to flex in (although, co-op is reportedly coming later). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Then there’s Lego Skylines (273K wishlists between Aug 23 and 30), which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a cosy Lego twist on the city-builder genre, as shallow or as deep as you fancy (five min quick sesh or ten-hour no-lifer session; latter for me). There’s some family-friendly stuff in there like couch co-op, which is only really viable on console. Iceflake Studios, which Paradox acquired back in 2020 is developing this one. So Paradox is probably looking for a family-friendly onramp to its rad Cities: Skylines games. The overlap there is plain, with 33% of Lego Skylines wishlisters having played Cities: Skylines and 16% Skylines II. There’s no doubt plenty of parents here (and uncles, ahem) planning to indoctrinate the next gen of city-builders. I’ll definitely be playing with my youngest nephew. This one could be big and educational. I’m very curious to see more. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Mature IP, new and old, rounds out the list As for the rest of the list of gamescom games by new wishlists between Aug 23 and 30: Heroes of Might & Magic III Remake got 189K new wishlists. It remakes the iconic 1999 turn-based-strategy classic in full 3D and 4K. It follows this year’s Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (~1.8M copies sold, as per our estimates), and around a quarter of the III Remake wishlisters have played Olden Era, including 7% of them this month. Wardogs – a $40 PvP shooter – added another 146K to an already massive pile (nearly 1.6M total). It’s published by Team17 and made by Bulkhead. It plays somewhere between the tactical squad stuff of … Squad and the all-out-chaos battlefield of … Battlefield. It’s up to 100 players, and it’s out in about 10 days. It’s already pre-sold over 500K copies on Steam ($16.6M), boosted by a pre-order-only beta. It sold another 70K copies during gamescom, too. Afterworld managed 121K new wishlists. It’s a Paradox-made post-apocalyptic grand-strategy game, and it was announced at the show. It’s a departure from Paradox’s usual historical stuff, and the studio’s first new setting in over a decade. The Paradox purists are into it, with over half its wishlisters having played Hearts of Iron IV (19% this month) and 41% Crusader Kings III (17% this month). Metro 2039 got 110K during the show, tunnelling its total past 1.3M. Nearly 40% of wishlisters have played 2020’s Metro Exodus, the previous mainline title in the series. The Metro novels are Russian, dev 4A Games is Ukrainian, and it’s set in Moscow, so it’s unsurprising that – after the US (17.3% of wishlisters) – the next two countries are Russia (12.7%) and Ukraine (10.0%). The Blood of the Dawnwalker drew in (the blood of) 108K new wishlisters, now totalling an impressive 1.7M (at a $70 price point, though). It’s an open-world dark-fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century Europe (with vampires!), made by some former Witcher devs at Rebel Wolves. Again, it shows. Over half of Blood of the Dawnwalker’s wishlisters have played The Witcher 3, and its #2 market is Poland, home of Rebel Wolves. That’s that hometown-hero effect we keep banging on about again! And Blood of the Dawnwalker plays very well, by the way. While it looks like a Witcher clone on the surface, it actually brings a lot to the table mechanics-wise. I love the whole time-as-a-currency spin on RPG gameplay. It gives the game a different, refreshing pace. Essentially, you start Blood of the Dawnwalker with a pool of 480 action points spread across 30 days and 30 nights. As for how the game performs, we’ll be posting some numbers next week, so hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready. Subscribe The Witcher’s legacy ripples Make no mistake: on a high level, this was The Witcher‘s gamescom. The #1 game by wishlisters was a Witcher 3 DLC. Warlock is clearly Witcher-inspired – as is Blood of the Dawnwalker, which was made by ex-Witcher devs. There was a lot of other cool stuff on the floor that we’ll no doubt be covering in subsequent newsletters, though! As always, wishlists went through the roof for sequels, remakes, DLC, and licensed IP. As always, though, these wishlists will likely convert to about 5% to 10% of launch-day buyers, with the probable exception of The Witcher DLC – the exception that proves the rule. Either way, we’ve got a nice, diverse list here – one that is very Witcher-y, Paradox-y, and – if you’re a fan of great games on Steam – a bloody good list. We even got a bunch of new IP to get excited for. Great gamescom! Even if we are still processing that unfathomable number of mini Kölsch beers! One more thing: GTA 6 broke the internet (again) Move aside, Spider-Man and The Odyssey (I love you both, really). But the decade’s defining entertainment zeitgeist is round the corner. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Rockstar dropped an extended look at GTA 6 last week. It was INSANE, the most impressed I’ve ever been by a showcase like this. You can see the budget seeping through every second of the extended look, and this level of game is unobtainable for any other publisher. Everyone’s going nuts, and rightly so. GTA 6 is out in holiday 2026, and it’ll be the biggest entertainment release ever, full stop. For those without a PS5 or Xbox Series console, a $500-$900 console is a big ask in this economy, but GTA will pull a lot of last-generation-console fence sitters over the current-gen fence either way: The autumn timing puts GTA 6 on (digital) shelves for the holidays, meaning a PS5 or Xbox (let’s be honest, mostly the former) will be on many a Christmas and Hanukkah list. Demand will outweigh the struggling supply, though, and PS5 Pros are already sold out and being sold at a markup via scalpers. Every console that isn’t on a shelf is a sale deferred or lost, and worse, it hands scalpers the margin. GTA has cultural clout that reaches everyone. It’s been a mainstream fixture since 2001’s GTA III and its clout has only grown exponentially since then. There’s a touchpoint for every generation alive. The FOMO-word-of-mouth double punch does the rest. Loading... It’ll reactivate the lockdown cohort, the millions who picked up gaming in 2020-21 and churned. GTA 6 will bring them back. Remember when College Football 25 brought a bunch of US gamers to current-gen consoles? GTA will do that globally. Once they’re back (or upgraded), and all GTA’d out, the fresh current-gen-console folks will check out the rest of the current-gen catalogue they missed. GTA Online, if not free to play, will also lead to a boost for PS+ and Xbox Game Pass, another boost for the ecosystem players. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Even some of the smug PCMR 60FPS crew won’t be able to resist their FOMO and will bite the bullet on a console to play this one early (then double dip). The consoles cost the same as a decent stick of RAM these days anyway lmao… Don’t get me wrong, though. GTA 6 is no silver bullet for the mature console market, but it does prime the current gen for a couple of strong swan-song years. And it’ll also give the consoles more users from which to maximise ARPU. ‘’We are in the latter half of the lifetime cycle of [the PS5],’’ said Sony President and CEO Hiroki Totoki in a Wall Street Journal interview. ‘’That means we do not need to aggressively sell the console today; rather than that, we are focusing on the current revenue from the current user base.’’ The biggest, best premium games always arrive late in a console cycle, so getting more players aboard now, ahead of that content storm (the new current-gen-only Call of Duty included), is a clear win for the platforms. On the Netflix thing, though: let’s all chill out a bit, like. Half my LinkedIn feed was going bonkers treating the reveal debuting on Netflix like it’s the future of entertainment. It wasn’t. It was a six-hour head start, and Netflix left that detail out of the “first-of-its-kind partnership” press release. The extended look hit Netflix at 3pm ET on 27 August, then went up on YouTube and Rockstar’s site for everyone six hours later. And it was all over social immediately, anyways. This reveal was going to reach an untold number of people whether it debuted on Netflix, YouTube, a Times Square screen, or a group chat. The last trailer did nearly half a billion views in a day with no gatekeeper at all. Netflix just stood next to that audience for six hours, borrowing it. It’s was a tidy deal for Netflix, sure. But every outlet on earth was breaking the thing down frame by frame by the evening anyway. Anyway. I’m hype. And we’ll be covering some GTA numbers on the newsletter soon. So hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready! Subscribe The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Have scientists glimpsed the first dark matter particle?
Shadowy dark matter has eluded scientists for decades. The LZ experiment may have spotted one particle, called a WIMP, but more data is needed to check.
Take this quiz to test your knowledge of science on stage
Check how much you know about physics at the theatre
Paying Homage To “The Troublemaker Of Watchmaking” With The M.A.D.3 Vincent Calabrese
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9 Cassette Tapes From The '80s Worth a Small Fortune
Check your old box of cassette tapes. Some tapes cost a few dollars in the 1980s, but are now worth a lot of cash. Here are some of the most valuable ones.
Discover this week's must-read health stories
Top stories: Infectious diseases expand into new regions of Europe; Personalized mRNA vaccine shows promise for melanoma; US measles cases hit 35-year high.
Every done deal on transfer deadline day
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Brinkley, Guttenberg revel in retro joy of ‘American Summer’
Sweetly nostalgic as it looks back at one teenager’s “best summer ever,” “American Summer” is also a nod to the friendships and romances that unfold as adulthood beckons.
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.
New OnePlus 16 leak once again points to major camera upgrade
Digital Chat Station, a reliable Weibo leaker, has once again reported on the camera setup of the OnePlus 16. In the latest leak, the tipster once again hints that the upcoming flagship phone will see a major upgrade over its predecessor.
Samsung launches new 14-inch MacBook Neo rival with 25-hour battery life
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Lionel Richie hospitalized after concert in St. Louis
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Music and entertainment marathon planned for Labor Day weekend along the bay at Matanzas Inn, On the Bay
A three-day marathon of music and entertainment is in the works this Labor Day weekend at Matanzas Inn, On the Bay, and Petey’s Upper Deck. The businesses will be hosting live music and entertainment as part of a new event being called “Bash on the Bay” by organizers. The bash will be held Sept. 5-7 […]
What ECU Health learned 24 hours into a wearable safety rollout
Randall Walston has spent 35 years with ECU Health and now leads a single police department covering all nine of the system's hospitals in eastern North
Exciting new entertainment venue + bar now open in Woodlawn
🍸 NEW BAR IN WOODLAWN: Check out The TreeBar & Courtyard now serving up good drinks + good vibes in Birmingham.
What does the Lindsay Clancy trial tell us about treating maternal mental health?
Lindsay Clancy is currently on trial for killing her three children.Prosecutors say the murders were intentional, but her defense team says she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis -- a condition that does not have a distinct diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.That's the handbook used to identify mental health conditions, so patients often have a hard time getting proper care.The case has put a spotlight on maternal mental health and how its treated by the public and healthcare professionals. What does it reveal?WBUR’s Deborah Becker contributed reporting to this episode.It was produced by Megan Lim and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Éowyn Fain, Hannah Gluvna and Ted Mebane. Our director is Jonas Adams.It was edited by Justine Kenin and Tinbete Ermyas.Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Pensacola Interstate Fair 2026 music and entertainment lineup announced
There's a little something for music fans of all genres at this year's Pensacola Interstate Fair this year. Check out this complete list of acts.
In 2014, Scientists Went In Search Of A Shipwreck 1,900 Meters Below The Sea. Instead, They Found A Monstrous "Tar Lily"
What in The Upside-Down is going on here?
Rising health care costs could take a bigger bite out of workers’ paychecks
Otto Graham says the increased costs of medication and rise in utilization are driving the potential effect for workers.
Rising health care costs could take a bigger bite out of workers’ paychecks
Otto Graham says the increased costs of medication and rise in utilization are driving the potential effect for workers.
Gene-Editing Technology Offers New Ways to Create the Dogs of Our Dreams
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Moussa Diabate gets a reality check from former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau
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Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander faces anti-Israel hecklers at New York protest
Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional nominee in New York City, faced heckling Saturday over his stance on Israel as he protested a Hindu nationalist politician speaking at Madison Square Garden.
Breckie Hill Has A Surprising History With Netflix’s Newest Reality Star
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Rising health care costs could take a bigger bite out of workers’ paychecks
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North Carolina: Rabid baby goats at a mobile petting zoo prompts health warning
On Friday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported confirmed multiple rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County. They were first notified of a potential rabies exposure among four baby goats at Farm Adventures in Harmony, North Carolina on August 27. The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered the pen where they were kept in late July. The NC State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed rabies viruses in three of the baby goats on August 28; a fourth goat was not tested but is also assumed to have been infected. Based on information gathered on August 28, it was determined that no other animals on the farm pose a risk of rabies exposure to people. Learn about rabies Anyone who had contact with baby goats from the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo either at their location in Harmony, North Carolina, or at an off-site event, between July 28 and Aug. 27, 2026, may have been exposed while the animals were infectious. Impacted individuals should contact their local health department to determine whether medications are needed to prevent infection. Individuals are encouraged to call before visiting an emergency department or urgent care clinic to determine if treatment is needed and where it can be accessed. Known potential exposure dates and locations include: July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville in Iredell County July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Breeden Amphitheater, 333 S. Main St., Lexington in Davidson County Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, 2806 Peachtree Road, Statesville in Iredell County Aug. 8: Private event in Watauga County Aug. 9: Private event in Burke County Aug. 15: Masonic Picnic Grounds, 201 Poplar St., Mocksville in Davie County Aug. 16: Private event in Durham County Aug. 22: Private event in Iredell County Aug. 23: Private event in Durham County Rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from wild animals to pets and people, primarily through a bite, scratch or when infected saliva touches broken skin or mucous membranes. Human rabies infections are extremely rare in the United States. No human cases have been reported in North Carolina since 2011. Rabies is almost always fatal in mammals, including people, unless medications to prevent infections are given before symptoms develop. Symptoms can begin weeks to months after someone is exposed. Early symptoms are flu-like illness including weakness, fever or headache as well as a prickling or itching sensation where someone was bitten or exposed. In 2025, over 4,000 animals were submitted to the NC State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing, and of these, approximately 6% tested positive. In North Carolina the disease most often occurs in wild animals especially skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Ultra-thin aramid protection: Pitaka cases for the Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series review
In-depth hands-on review of the Pitaka Classic aramid fiber cases for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 & Flip: fit, build quality, 3D-Grip, and MagEZ in detail.
Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices
Hey all, Jason here. When this hits your inbox, I should be en route to the airport — not to go anywhere myself, just to pick up my better half. I must admit, it’s been strange to be home alone (well, with two dogs) for two weeks! Really lets me “optimize” to spending more time on reading/writing/working, whether that’s healthy or not! Looking forward to getting back into a (somewhat) more balance routine. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading Compare Notes With the People Who Built Modern Fintech Partner content: Remitly CEO Sebastian Gunningham. Increase founder Darragh Buckley. Linda Du, Co-founder & President at Valon. They’ll unpack the decisions behind building and scaling major financial products: what they got right, what broke, what they would do differently, and how AI and new infrastructure are changing the operator playbook. Most events tell you where fintech is going. NerdCon puts the people who built the present in the room and asks them what comes next. Expect an operator-led conversation grounded in real products, real trade-offs and lessons earned the hard way. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% on Regular tickets with code FBW20 before standard pricing ends September 11. Meet the Builders Things To Know & Other Good Reads Advent and Stripe Abandon $50 Billion Pursuit of PayPal (Bloomberg) Trump Family’s New Crypto Bank Is Backed by Abu Dhabi Sheikh (Wall Street Journal) The multiplying risks of financing data centres (FT) Let the Bond Market Speak (Wall Street Journal) Did we waste a crisis? Modest proposals to reform deposit insurance. (Fintech Takes Banking) Untangling Guggenheim: How Private Credit Built Its Own Universe (Net Interest) The Hater’s Guide To Circular Financing — Part One (Ed Zitron) Fiat Ventures Rebrands to FGV Capital, Announces $35M Oversubscribed Fund II (BusinessWire) Socure Announces Strategic Growth Investment at $5.2B Valuation and Acquires Agentic Operations Platform Fravity (Socure) Listen: When Consumer Protection Disclosures Work Too Well (Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast) Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices When Andreessen Horowitz led EarnIn’s $39 million Series B in 2017, Alex Rampell, a partner at the storied venture capital firm, described EarnIn’s small-dollar advance product as “free,” relying on “entirely on voluntary contributions instead of fees.” Rampell favorably compared EarnIn’s approach to typical payday loans, writing, “Payday loans historically have had the potential to be a slippery slope for consumers into financial distress: opaque systems and steep fees that are hard to repay and set individuals back further than where they started. For many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, that kind of slide into debt can be extremely difficult to recover from.” But EarnIn’s product — which, the company says, isn’t a “loan,” legally speaking — ends up being anything but free for most users. While it is technically possible to take a no-fee advance from the company, most users incur “Lightning Speed” (instant funding) fees and/or ostensibly optional tips that combined can equate to annualized percent rates that can reach over 1,000%. With an average term of 9.77 days, even fees and tips that are small on an absolute dollar basis are equivalent to high APRs on an annualized basis. A lawsuit filed last week by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser against EarnIn describes the company and its product and business practices quite differently than Andreessen’s Rampell; “EarnIn’s business practices are unfair because they are immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous,” the complaint, filed in District Court in Denver, Colorado, says. EarnIn’s marquee product, Cash Out, isn’t a loan, the company says, as Cash Out is not “[f]orward [l]ooking” because “[t]he money is transferred based on earnings to date,” does not carry a mandatory fee to access funds, and is “non-recourse,” meaning EarnIn cannot pursue recovery from users who don’t repay advanced funds. EarnIn is sometimes referred to as an “Earned Wage Advance” service. Though, unlike some others in the broader category, EarnIn does not integrate with employers’ payroll or time and attendance systems. Rather, EarnIn attempts to verify a user’s income and employment, by examining direct deposit transaction data in their linked external bank account, by using GPS location and Bluetooth data to estimate a user’s time spent at work, if they work in a fixed location, and/or by having a user provided a work email address. While repayment is theoretically optional, as EarnIn would have no recourse, such as reporting non-payment to the credit bureaus or a collections agency, this is anything but clear to users of the EarnIn app, Colorado’s complaint argues. During the process of taking a Cash Out, users must agree to a preauthorized debit of the amount advanced, plus any expedited funding fee and/or tips. Though users technically can revoke this ACH authorization, the fact that they have this right isn’t presented to users during the Cash Out process, but rather is included in linked terms and conditions few users are likely to actually read. And users who do wish to revoke their ACH authorization must do so three or more days before the scheduled transaction date by emailing EarnIn’s customer support. Similarly, EarnIn’s marketing claims that it carries “no interest” and “no mandatory fees” is technically true, but is not the reality for many of the app’s users, the Colorado complaint argues. Further, EarnIn has extensively marketed to users the ability to “access your pay today,” to get “instant” funds, and to get funds “the same day you work” — when, in reality, this speed of access was only possible by paying the additional, undisclosed Lightning Speed fee. The Colorado complaint highlights this contradiction specifically, noting: EarnIn tells consumers that they can ‘Make any day payday with EarnIn’ and that there no ‘hidden’ or ‘mandatory fees.’ For a consumer to access their pay on the same day requested, they would have to pay the Lightning Speed fee. In the fine print of the advertisement EarnIn discloses that ‘[f]ees apply to use Lightning Speed,’ a direct contradiction to the larger text of the advertisement, and a fact that would not be immediately understood by a consumer as ‘Lightning Speed’ is not defined nor explained. Like other small-dollar lending services, rather than explicitly charge interest, EarnIn collects a markup on the optional Lighting Speed fee, which, given the nature of the transactions, many users opt for, as well as offering users the option to leave “tips.” EarnIn leverages either Real-Time Payments (RTP) rails or push-to-card via debit rails if a user opts for the optional Lightning Speed. But while these capabilities cost EarnIn, on average, $0.075 or $0.20 per transaction, respectively, EarnIn charges users significantly more. Initially, EarnIn charged as little as $1.99 for Cash Outs up to $24. But EarnIn has hiked these fees multiple times, and now charges $4.99 for Cash Outs up to $75 and $6.99 for those over $75. According to the Colorado complaint, EarnIn leverages “dark patterns” to manipulate users and to make it more difficult to avoid tipping. Examples of these “road blocks” highlighted in the complaint include: As of 2023, in the EarnIn app, a consumer attempting to get a loan under the default settings had to make at least eighteen separate taps to complete the transaction and reduce the tip to $0. There is an alternative method to leave a $0 tip, via the “Custom tip” feature, but EarnIn made this option difficult to access by visually deemphasizing it and positioning it near devices’ “home” button. Using language and imagery such as “Tip to pay it forward,” “Your generosity supports the service + helps,” “Your tips make a difference,” and “[t]he APR for this cash out is 0%. Your tips help support us.” While Lightning Speed and tipping are, in theory, both optional, in practice, users nearly always ended up paying something. According to the Colorado suit, users were charged either a tip or an expedite fee for more than 92% of transactions, with an average APR of nearly 388%. And, although the advances are “non-recourse,” EarnIn successfully collects on nearly all transactions — 99.18%, according to the complaint, which, Colorado argues, “demonstrat[es] that EarnIn’s advances function as high cost loans, not voluntary payments.” The share of EarnIn users incurring fees — despite the product being marketed as 0% APR — is hard to reconcile with Andreessen investor Rampell’s favorable description of EarnIn vs. “opaque systems and steep fees” associated with payday loans, which, Rampell says, can be “extremely difficult” for borrowers to extricate themselves from. According to Colorado’s suit, EarnIn’s Cash Out product “trapped many consumers in extreme cycles of high-cost reborrowing.” The suit gives an example of one consumer in the state, who took out a whopping 1,151 loans, paying a total of $4,038.50 in Lightning Speed expedited funding fees on loans that averaged the equivalent of 1,421% APR. Another Colorado user, the suit says, took out 1,033 loans, paying $8,561.22 in tips and fees at an average APR of 1,539% . These types of usage patterns demonstrate “the severe and repeated financial harm caused by EarnIn’s illegal lending model,” the Colorado complaint argues. In aggregate, from January 2023 through July 2025, EarnIn extended 3.1 million loans to 56,778 users in Colorado — an average of nearly 55 transactions per person during the time period. EarnIn lent more than $300 million and collected more than $16 million from Colorado users in Lightning Speed fees and in tips. Ultimately, the Colorado complaint argues that “EarnIn’s Cash Outs are loans under Colorado law, and EarnIn’s contention that its product is not a loan based on its disclaimer of any legal repayment obligation lacks any real-world significance given how the Cash Out transactions actually operate in practice.” Colorado further argues that “EarnIn was not working with companies here in providing consumers with funds but acted as a third-party lender and charged illegally high rates, used deceptive design strategies to extract some charges, and trapped consumers in repeat borrowing. Colorado will continue to stand up for consumers and hold companies accountable when they violate our credit laws or attempt to evade them through misleading practices.” Colorado’s suit alleges EarnIn assesses finance charge in excess of that permitted by Colorado law, that EarnIn failed to make legally required disclosures to Colorado borrowers, that EarnIn made supervised loans to consumers without obtaining the requisite license, that EarnIn violated the state’s Deferred Deposit Loan Act, that EarnIn engage in unfair and deceptive trade practices, and that EarnIn made false or misleading statements concerning price. The suit seeks a court order enjoining EarnIn from violating relevant Colorado laws, for EarnIn to refund amounts charged in excess of state law, fees, costs, and penalties, and other relief the court deems to be just. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Q2 Quarterly Banking Profile: Five Quick Takeaways The FDIC released its quarterly banking profile, which is always worth a read, for the second quarter. The profile provides an aggregate snapshot about the overall health of the 4,238 institutions whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, who, collectively, hold more than $26 trillion in assets and saw a total net income of more than $90 billion in the second quarter. Net income was up 12% vs. Q1 2026, with lower provisions and realized gains on securities helping to drive the improvement, somewhat offset by increases in non-interest expense and applicable income taxes. Overall net interest margin was basically flat quarter over quarter (up 1 basis point vs. Q1 2026), though community banks saw NIM grow by 10 basis points, to 3.81%. Unsurprisingly, given that interest rates haven’t changed, unrealized losses on securities changed little, edging up slightly to $326.7 billion vs. $325.1 billion in Q1 2026. Aggregate credit quality has remained benign, with asset quality actually improving slightly in Q2. Overall, institutions reported a 9 basis point decline in their past-due and non-accrual rate, to 1.44%. Net charge off rate also declined by 2 basis points, to 0.57%. And finally, the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund stands at $161.1 billion, making the DIF reserve ratio 1.48% — above the statutory minimum of 1.35%, but still below the designated target reserve ratio of 2%. [Paid Subscriber Exclusive] Nissan Withdraws ILC App, State Associations Plan BankChain Alliance, FDIC Defines “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” For First Time Automaker Nissan withdrew its application to charter a Utah industrial loan company and its corresponding application to the FDIC for deposit insurance last week, on August 19th. Nissan’s application had been outstanding for more than a year, as it originally applied in June 2025. Recent applications to the OCC to form national banks have been decisioned, one way or the other, substantially more quickly than has historically been the case.
Flooding devastated swathes of Indiana but response is hampered by politics
Record inundations wrecked homes and took seven lives but Trump has not approved emergency aid and the state has cut funds for environmental agencies
EU provides €12 million to WHO to sustain essential health services and support recovery across Syria
30 August 2026, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – The World Health Organization (WHO) has received €12 million (approximately US$14 million) from European Union Humanitarian Aid, to help sustain essential health...
Dolly Parton’s life was bigger than politics
Dolly Parton had barely died before America started doing what America apparently does now: checking her political credentials. Was she conservative? Liberal? A Trump supporter? An LGBTQ ally? Which side gets to claim her? Which side should cancel her? Good grief! The woman lived 80 years. She can’t be reduced to that. Not with her […]
Gaylord — you never check in, but still pay
I go to a lot of conferences, often in beautiful cities I never actually see. Friends hear where I’ve been and ask depressing questions like, “Did you visit the famous museum?” No. I saw Ballroom C, the lobby bar and took out a loan to buy a Caesar salad. Having experienced some of the world’s […]
Sacramento business owners rebuild after fire destroys building at local flea market
Several small business owners in Sacramento are trying to rebuild after a fire destroyed their shops at the back of the Folsom Boulevard Flea Market. It wrecked a small building known by customers an...
Watch the 28/22 Sports Friday Night Football Show
Check out all the highlights from Friday night, and Week One of the PIAA High School Football Regular Season!
Xbox CEO says next-gen Project Helix will be a “family of devices,” hinting at another Xbox Series S|X-style lineup
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says the next-generation Project Helix will launch as a “family of devices,” suggesting a tiered lineup similar to the Xbox Series S and X. Microsoft has confirmed AMD-powered hardware supporting Xbox and PC games but has yet to disclose pricing, release timing, or disc-drive options.
Broderick Jones trade grades for Cowboys, Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers looked at Broderick Jones as a powerful offensive lineman who could solidify their offensive line when they moved up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select the Georgia product. However, a neck injury sustained against the Chicago Bears last year have led the Steelers to move on from the former first-round pick. The Steelers traded […] The post Broderick Jones trade grades for Cowboys, Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s NFL comeback gets a curious twist as insider questions John Harbaugh’s latest words
Odell Beckham Jr. ’s NFL comeback has taken another twist after Giants head coach John Harbaugh made a telling choice of words about the veteran wide receive...
Pixel 11's Tensor G6 and Pixel 10's Tensor G5 still fall behind in performance per watt, testing shows
Geekerwan's first efficiency test of the Tensor G6 and G5 shows that both trail the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple's A-series chips in CPU and GPU performance per watt, while the Kirin 9030 Pro matches the Tensor chips despite being manufactured on a much older process node.
Yankees news: Max Fried set to return tonight against Red Sox
Fried expected to start Saturday’s nightcap; Yankees checking in on relievers after Cruz injury.
Odell Beckham says it would mean everything to make the Giants' roster
Football Friday Night 2026 | Week 2 Scores & Highlights
Welcome to Week 2 of Football Friday Night 2026! Check out the highlights and final scores from around the CSRA.
The Biggest Booths And Coolest Sights Of Gamescom 2026
Check out all the most impressive displays at the world's biggest gaming convention. - Game Informer
10 must-watch Netflix movies coming in fall 2026
Netflix’s fall film slate features Ben Affleck, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charli XCX, and... Jacob Tremblay as the Unabomber. Here are 10 movies to put on your radar.
Retired political science professor discusses Michigan primary and the road to the November Election
Kulisheck expects the U.S. Senate and Michigan Gubernatorial race to be close.
Colorado measure adding ID checks to mail-in voting qualifies for ballot
A ballot initiative that would require voters to include additional information on mail-in ballots has qualified for the November election, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Backed by El Paso County Treasurer Chuck Broerman and former Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Taheri, Initiative No. 362 would require voters to include either the last four […]
Colorado measure adding new ID checks to mail-in voting qualifies for November ballot
A ballot initiative that would require voters to include additional information on mail-in ballots has qualified for the November election, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Backed by El Paso County Treasurer Chuck Broerman and former Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Taheri, Initiative 362 would require voters to include either the last four digits […]
Inside one behavioral health CEO’s decision to automate revenue cycle operations
There was no single metric that told Dr. Mary Affee her practice had outgrown its operations, and that was the frustrating part. She had built Horizon
In 2017, Scientists Journeyed 1,500 Meters Below The Sea In Search Of A Shipwreck. Instead, They Found A Bunch Of Washing Machines
They do move in herds.
How AI is changing the art of business presentations
AI tools can speed up the creation of slides, but human input is still needed to check the presentation’s visual style, data, and messaging.
84 Switch 1 & 2 Games To Check Out In Nintendo's Blockbuster eShop Sale (US)
Attack the Block(buster)
CIA Chief John Ratcliffe’s Trip to Moscow Has Everyone On Edge | WSJ Politics Newsletter for Aug. 28
Plus, companies that have cut checks for Trump are beginning to worry, and efforts to prosecute Anthony Fauci are falling apart.
Calcium testing for heart health may have limited value for many, study finds
The increasingly popular test, known as a CAC scan, checks for arterial plaque. It can help those at intermediate risk of heart disease but may provide little insight for others.
Tua Tagovailoa Gets Blunt Reality Check Before Dolphins Game
The Miami Dolphins will welcome back Tua Tagovailoa in the preseason final game against the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 28 at Hard Rock Stadium. Moreover, Tagovailoa will get the start against his former team as he’s looking to nail down the Falcons’ starting job.Tagovailoa had a forgettable preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, going just […] The post Tua Tagovailoa Gets Blunt Reality Check Before Dolphins Game appeared first on HEAVY.
Exclusive | Corporate America Cut Big Checks to Trump. Now CEOs Fear Subpoenas Are Coming.
Tech firms are courting Democrats and hiring advisers to prepare for potential investigations if Republicans lose control of the House.
SanDisk launches 1TB microSD Express card for Switch 2
SanDisk has unveiled a new SD Express card at Gamescom. It allows Switch 2 owners to upgrade to 1TB of storage and is also compatible with several Asus gaming handhelds. However, the card is very expensive.
Ex-Commanders No. 2 Overall Pick Predicted to ‘Wreck’ Opponents
Former Washington Commanders No. 2 overall pick predicted for massive season. The post Ex-Commanders No. 2 Overall Pick Predicted to ‘Wreck’ Opponents appeared first on HEAVY.
New business opens in Beckley!
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Prime Cabinets and Countertops has chosen Beckley as the new home for their third location! With two others in Parkersburg and Barboursville, the Beckley store is their first fora...
Beyond the Ballot Ep 62: Retired political science professor discusses November election outlook
Bob Kulisheck joins Brady again to recap the primary elections.
‘Trojans, One and All’ wins USA TODAY Sports’ Readers’ Choice Award for best college fight song
Troy University’s fight song, “Trojans, One and All” has been selected as USA TODAY Sports’ 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Fight Song. Announced online on Wednesday morning, “Trojans, One and All” placed first ahead of Michigan State’s “Victory for MSU,” USC’s “Fight On,” Navy’s “Anchors Aweigh,” Tennessee’s “Rocky Top,” Georgia Tech’s “Ramblin’ Wreck,” Wisconsin’s...Read More
Building the workforce your health system will need in 2027
Healthcare organizations are projected to face about 1.9 million job openings each year through 2034, driven by growing demand and the need to replace
Phone-free Seattle events invite people to unplug, connect in person
Check your phone at the bar for a $1 beer, or gather for phoneless crafting or vinyl listening at these phone-free events around Seattle.
LA Lakers' Superstar Leaves Victor Wembanyama 'Gutted'
Victor Wembanyama has been busy this summer, but he's yet to check off a bucket list item in FIBA play.
Flock Cameras, the ‘Surveillance State,’ and a Political Reckoning | WSJ Politics Newsletter for Aug. 27
Plus, Hakeem Jeffries scrambles to find balance among the Democratic Party’s competing factions, and states face confusion over new mail-in ballot rules.
Free PMOS health check clinics 'good start, but more can be done'
Jersey's government launches a three-month trial clinic to help women with the ovarian syndrome.
Highlights/scores: High school sports (08/26/26)
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) – An action packed opening week of fall sports in Central Illinois continued on Wednesday. Check out highlights above, plus more scores below from volleyball, girls’ flag football and boys’ soccer around the WCIA 3 viewing area. GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL Champaign Central 78, Bloomington 6 Peoria High 12, Champaign Centennial 8 Urbana […]
The Herald's weekly entertainment picks
Looking to be entertained from Thursday, Aug. 27, through Wednesday, Sept. 2? Check out the Skagit Valley Herald’s weekly recommendations.
Reggie Watts dropped from festivals after abuse allegations
Reggie Watts has reportedly been dropped from the lineups of multiple festivals after being accused of 'reckless' and 'abusive' behavior.
Golden Knights Announce Television Broadcast Details for 2026-27 Season
Vegas scheduled to appear in 15 nationally-televised games in the United States on league rightsholders ESPN and Turner Sports
MTSU education in PR helps student build successful business before graduation
For Beckham Scott, the classroom and the business have become closely connected.
Apple Wallet Driver's License Feature Just Launched in 15th U.S. State
Starting today, Virginia residents can add a digital version of their driver's license to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The digital ID can be used to display proof of identity or age at TSA checkpoints in select airports, at select businesses, and in select apps, but the number of places where it is accepted is still quite limited.
Employers face ‘existential reckoning’ as health costs surge
Employers are expecting a median 9.2% increase in medical spending next year, according to a new survey. But they’ve underestimated actual cost growth for the past three years, so even that figure may be too optimistic.
2 Albany Co. businesses fail underage drinking compliance check
On Tuesday, the New York State Liquor Authority announced that two businesses failed their underage drinking compliance check on August 20. According to the SLA, Noor Mart in Watervliet and Island …
Stuck on science
MOSES LAKE — It was just another Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, with Program Assistant Savannah Betz explaining non-Newtonian physics and the scientific method to a group of grade-school children. “We know that something is solid because we can feel that it’s solid,” Betz said. “We know that something is liquid because it looks like liquid and feels like liquid. And you know that something is a gas because, well, you can’t see it, really. Sometimes you can smell a gas, and you kind of feel it as you wave your arms around. (Oobleck) is called a non-Newtonian fluid because it doesn’t conform to those states of matter.”
‘It’s 2016 all over again’ – NY Giants fans react to what OBJ has just done in training camp
Odell Beckham Jr. is still fighting for his spot on the 53-man New York Giants roster ahead of the season opener in a matter of weeks.
How Calvin Austin injury affects Giants depth chart at wide receiver
NY Giants fear that they lost WR Calvin Austin to a serious knee injury on Tuesday. What that means for Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and Co.
Back-to-school health checklist: What parents can do to help kids start the school year strong
Help your child start the school year healthy and prepared. Learn about school physicals, vaccinations, illness prevention, healthy habits and convenient care options from MinuteClinic.
Release of Marine veteran from Russian custody turns focus to other detainees with health concerns
Robert Gilman is the latest in a succession of high-profile prisoners freed by Russia going back years, but his release hardly cleared the decks of Americans behind bars there
Lenovo launches flagship tablet with 2.5K 165 Hz OLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 24 GB RAM
Lenovo has launched the Legion Y700 Infinite in China with a 2.5K 165 Hz OLED display and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It offers up to 24 GB of RAM and 5G, with prices starting at CNY 4,999 (about $744).
400-year-old 'vampire' grave discovered in Poland
The wealthy young woman was buried with a sickle over her neck and a padlock on her toe.
Thyroid medication recalled nationwide due to possible ‘superpotency’ issue
A pharmaceutical company is recalling 3,655 thyroid tablets sold nationwide because they could be more potent than usual and may bring about health issues for people who use them.
The Athletic Football Show Division Previews
Training camp is in the rear-view mirror. Preseason games are mostly in the rear-view mirror. All that’s left to do is begin the 2026 NFL season. Whether you’ve been following the offseason beat-by-beat, from the Combine, through free agency and the draft, all the way up to this moment, or you’re just checking back in after a busy summer with every other sport under the sun, The Athletic Football Show has got you covered with its Division Preview series. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman run through all 32 teams leading up Week 1, which kicks off with a Super Bowl LX rematch...
Elon Musk won't face election bribery charges in Wisconsin
The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission in July referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s office for possible charges.
Saint Louis Science Center honors legacy of late VP Becky Thompson
The Saint Louis Science Center announced the recent death of its vice president of science and education late last month.
gamescom Opening Night Live 2026: Everything Announced
Opening Night Live 2026 is upon us, and with it comes the promise of big new gameplay reveals, plenty of new trailers, and a long list of announcements. Check out IGN's live report, direct from gamescom.
St. Louis Science Center executive dies during swim
The St. Louis Science Center is mourning the loss of Becky Thompson, who served as the Science Center’s vice president of science and education.
St. Louis Science Center executive dies during swim
The St. Louis Science Center is mourning the loss of Becky Thompson, who served as the Science Center's vice president of science and education.
Free Fall Health Check Coming to Adrian September 24
Community members are invited to take advantage of free health screenings and services during the Fall 2026 Health Check, presented by United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties and Family Medical Center o
Fact check: Trump keeps making stuff up about Canada
President Donald Trump’s criticism of the US neighbor has been filled with lies – a remarkable variety of assertions that either wildly distort a kernel of truth or are just made up.
Supercharged “natural killer” cells could be a powerful new cancer weapon
Researchers have found a way to supercharge natural killer cells, powerful immune cells that can attack cancer, so they can penetrate solid tumors and keep fighting once inside. In mice, these specially prepared tissue-resident cells slowed the growth of several tumors, including melanoma and head and neck cancers, and worked even better when paired with the antibody drug cetuximab.
Iowa author’s debut book ‘Hacked By You’ a romance-thriller
Shellsburg author Emily Scheer combined high-stakes cybercrime and suspense in her debut novel, “Hacked by You.” Learn how she brought Natasha and Zade's story to life and check out her upcoming events.
Blue states should avoid disasters
Back when I was teaching political science at the U.S. Air Force Academy (and amazingly to me, a week from this column’s publication will mark 20 years since my retirement from active duty. Where the heck did that time go?) I used to teach my students about the Constitution, national security policy and little things […]