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Why I Don’t Think Ride Or Die Should Have Been Cancelled (And What Company Should Save It...)

(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) So…I recently came across a Reddit thread, talking about films on streaming, wondering why there are no reliable sources out there for streaming ratings data. Sigh. Honestly, as annoyed as I am that so many still don’t realize that we have streaming ratings, I somewhat get it. Until now, there was such a long delay between when a show or film came to streaming and when we got its viewership data; I understand why people were confused. (But, as you know, this just changed.) Also, even back in the day, how many people knew how well films did on television? Luckily, as a reader, you’re in the know. Okay, on to this week’s issue. I want to take a look at Prime Video cancelling Ride or Die and whether I agree with that decision. Overall, we didn’t have any breakout hits (no TV shows landed over 20 million hours according to Nielsen) but we have a lot of steady performers on the streaming charts. Plus, we’ll look at where $50 million in missing box office dollars went. (Spoiler: straight-to-streaming.) All that, plus new episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Supergirl heads to streaming, a new YA show does well on Netflix, the viewership for the Daily Wire’s $50 million fantasy show, what TV show hit-maker can’t make streaming hits, CD sales, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 7th to September 13th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Television - Ride or Die Is a Hit…But It Got Cancelled? What The Data “Says” I hate the phrase “here’s what the data says”, even though sometimes I find myself using it. If data just told us everything, we data folks would be out of a job! Data is often messy, complicated and nuanced. When it comes to strategy, many of the best decisions can’t actually use “data”, since it’s vastly too complicated to model. Anyways, I’ve been singing the praises of Prime Video’s Ride Or Die this summer, a show that did very well for them. And yet…it got cancelled. Now, usually when a show gets cancelled, a bunch of websites say “a hit show got cancelled”... Here’s the thing, though: in this case, they’re right! The data “says” that this show was a hit. Specifically, out of 522 first seasons to make a week on the Nielsen charts since 2020, it’s the 75th biggest. On Amazon, Ride or Die is eighth out of 41 first seasons: That’s top 15th percentile all time, almost exactly, which is my definition of a “hit”! I mean, outside of Reacher, Amazon needed a hit this summer! (Admittedly, Off Campus did well for Amazon in the spring, but Ride or Die performed even better.) So what happened? Why did Amazon cancel one of their rare 2026 bright spots? Well, Deadline reported a reason—which I’ll get to—but I’d break it down into three relevant questions: What is a given streamer’s reasoning? Is that reasoning sound? Could the stated reason not be the real reason? According to Deadline, Amazon felt the show “over-indexed” in middle-aged women. (This was based on leaks from within Amazon.) The logic is this: Amazon already reaches this demographic because of unlimited two-day shipping bundled with Prime, so they don’t really need more shows like this. Now, it’s my job to ask if that’s a good reason, and I’ll be honest, in this case, I don’t think it is. Sure, this show may “over-index” in middle-aged women—I’ll just assume that’s the case here—but I think folks often oversell how important over-indexing actually is. When a show is a “hit”, it isn’t a bit bigger than its rivals; it’s usually multiples bigger. For example, Elle only made the charts for two weeks at 8.3 million hours each. So Ride or Die was 80% bigger in its first two weeks, and likely had a much stronger hold, with its terrific 13 million hours in week three. Ride or Die was nearly three times bigger than Sterling Point through three weeks too. And that means that _Elle, Sterling Point a_nd other Amazon YA shows need to not just over-index a little with younger women (assuming that’s who Amazon prefers over middle-aged women), but massively over-index. Otherwise, more people in that demo (and a bunch more besides) likely watched Ride or Die. (I’ll try to explore this concept more in a future article.) And don’t get me started on how Ride or Die did compared to a certain (very, very popular, possibly the world’s most popular) YouTuber’s reality show…which didn’t make the charts after its first week and likely cost much, much more than Ride or Die. All to say, Amazon-MGM Studios/Prime Video can tell reporters that this show didn’t reach the right audience, but that excuse feels weak to me. So this leads to the third question: could other reasons have come into play? Yes! Renewal or cancellation decisions rarely (I’m tempted to say “never”) boil down to one variable. At its simplest, it’s two things: budget versus viewership. But often factors like critical acclaim, ownership and, yes, personal opinion come into play. In this case, Amazon has a new executive running things, and this show isn’t owned by Amazon-MGM Studios (unlike Elle). And yes, it may not have indexed with the right target viewers, too. Likely all of those factors came into play.1 My guess is ownership ended up mattering most. Amazon doesn’t own Ride or Die. It’s actually produced by another major studio. Fortunately/allegedly, this show is being shopped around. I can think of one brand new CEO who should consider it for one of his two major streamers…especially if he wants to rebuild goodwill in Hollywood. His name is on this list of exec producers of Ride or Die… If David Ellison needs some goodwill—and he does—rescue this female-led show tomorrow and grab some good headlines for a day. The data justifies it. Quick Notes on TV We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… How The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives latest season did on Hulu, post-controversy... Whether Supergirl soared on HBO Max... Why the box office is losing money due to the streamers... The viewership for the Daily Wire’s $50 million fantasy show... Updates on The Gentlemen, Lanterns, Outer Banks, King of the Hill and more... What former hit-maker has three streaming flops in a row... Whether The Mandalorian and Grogu popped in week two... All the flops, bombs and misses... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Oh man, we’re almost caught up! We just have two more issues, then the streaming Ratings Report will be coming out just two weeks after a TV show premieres! Next issue, I’ll be looking at the first two weeks of the NFL Thursday night games on streaming, a huge new spinoff, Reacher’s Neagly on Prime Video, and the latest edition of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix, the return of Slow Horses on Apple and MobLand (quietly one of their biggest shows) on Paramount+, and Dancing with the Stars on both ABC and Disney+. Plus I’ll take a look at animation for adults in 2026. The week after, a ton of movies are coming to streaming: Toy Story 5 on Disney+, Backrooms on HBO Max, Jackass: Best and Last on Paramount+ and The Breadwinner on Netflix, plus a Unabomber film on Netflix and a romcom on Prime Video. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey have a show on Apple, along with a game show inspired by Willy Wonka that everyone seems to hate. Long term, some crazy (but hopefully crazy like a fox) IP news. FX ordered a new Sons of Anarchy show from Charlie Hunnam, but it’s not about the biker gang. No, it features the show’s cast playing themselves in a new “meta-thriller”. Huh. And a lot of the cast is coming back. Next, Ryan Gosling is producing a Flintstones movie about a “grown-up Bamm-Bamm Rubble”. Also, huh. This one is in “early development” so we’ll see what happens. Both projects are based on IP, but also seem to have crazy takes on the IP, which I like.

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Oct 5 • 3:42 PM EDT • Entertainment • entertainment.substack.com
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Enterprise Veteran to Mentor Oregon Consulting Group

Oregon Executive MBA alumnus Todd Grigsby, MBA ’00, has joined the University of Oregon as Professor of Practice and faculty director of the student-run Oregon Consulting Group (OCG) at the Lundquist College of Business.

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Oct 5 • 3:32 PM EDT • Business • business.uoregon.edu
Bladen Community College to host “So You Want to Start a Small Business” class and preview Pitch It Bladen 2027

The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College invites aspiring entrepreneurs to attend “So You Want to Start a Small Business” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Building 14, Room 104. This class will help participants explore what it takes to become an entrepreneur and take the first steps toward turning a business idea into reality.Participants will explore the entrepreneurial mindset and consider whether they have the interests, characteristics, motivation and willingness to take on the challenges of business ownership. The class will encourage attendees to examine their personal goals, expectations, strengths and readiness to pursue entrepreneurship.Attendees will also gain insight into the realities of starting and operating a small business, including the commitment, planning, decision-making and perseverance required to build a successful venture. Whether participants are just beginning to consider business ownership or already have an idea they want to pursue, this class will provide a foundation for determining their next steps.In addition to the class instruction, attendees will receive advance information about the upcoming Pitch It Bladen 2027 Business Competition, including the application form and details about the program. Individuals who are ready to move forward may submit their applications early and have the opportunity to receive advance acceptance into the program.Pitch It Bladen helps aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs develop their business ideas through structured instruction in business planning, financial management, cash-flow projections, marketing and operations. Participants work toward completing a business plan and preparing a business pitch, with the opportunity to compete for cash prizes.Last year's Pitch It Bladen program demonstrated the value of investing in local entrepreneurs by helping participants strengthen their business knowledge, develop their business plans and prepare to present their ideas. The competition showcased the creativity and potential of Bladen County's small-business community and provided participants with practical tools to move their business goals forward.Building on that success, Pitch It Bladen 2027 will provide another opportunity for local entrepreneurs to gain knowledge, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward launching or growing a business.“The Small Business Center wants to help individuals make informed decisions about entrepreneurship before they take the leap into business ownership,” said Theresa Dennison, Small Business Center director, in a press release. “This class gives participants an opportunity to evaluate whether entrepreneurship is right for them while also introducing them to Pitch It Bladen 2027 and the resources available to help them succeed.”Registration: Visit www.ncsbc.net and search for the class by name, or contact the Small Business Center at 910-879-5572 for additional information.

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Oct 5 • 3:26 PM EDT • Business • bizfayetteville.com
College volleyball rankings after Week 6: Updated AVCA Coaches Poll

Here's the latest AVCA Coaches Poll after the last week's worth of games during the 2026 women's college volleyball season.

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Oct 5 • 3:01 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
CAS inducts seven into Hall of Fame

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) inducted seven distinguished members of the CAS community into its Hall of Fame on Friday, September 18.

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Oct 5 • 2:57 PM EDT • Science • news.illinoisstate.edu
Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms

Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex legal interplay of federal and state laws raised by the case

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Oct 5 • 2:42 PM EDT • Politics • spectrumlocalnews.com
Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms

Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex legal interplay of federal and state laws raised by the case

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Oct 5 • 2:42 PM EDT • Politics • spectrumlocalnews.com
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Iowa Legislature expands MEGA program, creating path for steel plant incentive

During a special session on Friday, the Iowa Legislature expanded the Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program, paving the way for a tax incentive for Mesabi Metallics to construct a steel plant in Lee County. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law on Friday. The MEGA program, administered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority,…

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Oct 5 • 2:34 PM EDT • Business • businessrecord.com
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Florida running back apologizes to coach after disappointing game

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh entered Saturday’s game against the Missouri Tigers as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender. Unfortunately for him and the Gators, he didn’t exactly perform that way on Saturday. Now, he’s apologizing directly to his coach. Just a week after a lopsided win over Ole Miss thrust the Gators into the…

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Oct 5 • 2:25 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Massachusetts Governor Urges No Vote on Cannabis Prohibition Measure

Gov. Maura Healey said she opposes Question 8, a ballot measure that aims to wipe out the state’s adult-use legalization laws.

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Oct 5 • 2:01 PM EDT • Business • cannabisbusinesstimes.com
Springfield to host its first ever LEGO fan convention

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - LEGO fans rejoice! For the first time, a LEGO fan convention is coming to Springfield.

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Oct 5 • 2:00 PM EDT • Entertainment • newschannel20.com
Police urge Pennsylvania businesses to remove skill games as legal deadline approaches

Months after a justice ruled that skill games are legally slot machines, a deadline is fast approaching for the machines to be removed.

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Oct 5 • 1:42 PM EDT • Business • cbsnews.com
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Supreme Court kicks off new term with major climate case

The Supreme Court returns for its new term on Monday, and oral arguments in a major case over the fate of a costly climate change lawsuit brought by Boulder County, Colorado, will kick off a term set to feature several blockbuster legal battles. Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County will decide whether a […]

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Oct 5 • 1:26 PM EDT • Politics • coloradopolitics.com
Wyoming Business Hit A 5-Year Enrollment High. Its Dean Isn't Satisfied

Scott Beaulier once pictured a McDonald's franchise as his ceiling. Now he wants national recognition for a Wyoming college up 18% since 2021

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Oct 5 • 1:03 PM EDT • Business • poetsandquants.com
Houston high school football: Week 6 takeaways and top performers

Landen Williams-Callis is passing Texas high school football legends, Friendswood is off to its best start in 16 years, Bridgeland is surging toward another district title run.

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Oct 5 • 12:52 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
#TenYearsAgo in Health Law - Petrie-Flom Center

Since January 2026, the “10 years ago” viral trend on social media — fueled by nostalgia and literal rose-colored glasses (ok, filters) — has tried to remind us of the allegedly simpler times of 2016.

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Oct 5 • 12:19 PM EDT • Health • petrieflom.law.harvard.edu
St. Louis County issues political sign placement reminders

St. Louis County Public Works staff will remove any signs that are illegally placed.

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Oct 5 • 11:55 AM EDT • Politics • duluthnewstribune.com
'Flew Here Grew Here' talks trending entertainment topics

Olivier Martinez claims Halle Berry assaulted their 12-year-old son, Maceo, alleging she choked him and yelled "Who is dominant now?"

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Oct 5 • 11:34 AM EDT • Entertainment • fox5atlanta.com
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Alabama is, finally, a legit national title contender again

It’s been a long two years.

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Oct 5 • 11:30 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
After a legal battle, Marylanders will vote on future redist...

Marylanders will vote on Question 3 in November after the state’s highest court cleared a revised redistricting amendment for the ballot.

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Oct 5 • 11:30 AM EDT • Politics • afro.com
Misericordia University to Host Healthcare Symposium with Presenting Sponsor Geisinger

Misericordia University’s College of Health Sciences and Education, with Geisinger as Presenting Sponsor, will host the 2026 Healthcare Symposium, “Connected Care: Aligning Education, Innovation & Community Health,” on Friday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Lemmond Theater on the University’s Dallas campus.

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Oct 5 • 11:10 AM EDT • Health • misericordia.edu
Largest gift in Franklin College history to pay for new business and pre-law building

The college plans to build a two-story academic facility featuring a mock courtroom for pre-law students and an investment trading lab aimed at business majors.

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Oct 5 • 11:05 AM EDT • Business • theindianalawyer.com
Play USA TODAY's College Football Shuffle

Solve the shuffled words, match each one to the right headline and see how well you know the week in college football.

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Oct 5 • 10:57 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
New Dell System Update flaw lets hackers gain root privileges

Dell warned customers to patch a critical vulnerability in the System Update (DSU) command-line interface (CLI) deployment tool as soon as possible.

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Oct 5 • 10:53 AM EDT • Technology • bleepingcomputer.com
Pennsylvania lawmakers, advocates to introduce universal health care legislation

Pa. lawmakers, advocates to introduce universal health care legislation

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Oct 5 • 10:29 AM EDT • Health • wgal.com
Tomball Regional Health Foundation’s support for Lone Star College System approaches $2.5 million

Just two years after graduating from Lone Star College-Tomball with an associate degree in nursing, Petronila Arrey

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Oct 5 • 10:25 AM EDT • Health • woodlandsonline.com
Davids Fights Washington Healthcare Cuts with Plan to Lower Costs, Protect Kansas Hospitals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced a comprehensive package of healthcare legislation that directly counters Washington’s recent healthcare rollbacks, which are increasing monthly costs and closing rural hospitals. Davids’ efforts would protect Kansas families from rising medical costs, block new federal red tape, and keep local hospitals and health clinics open.

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Oct 5 • 10:14 AM EDT • Health • davids.house.gov
The Legend of Zelda: Master Collection Officially Announced

A partnership between Nintendo and Panini offers a new opportunity for collectors and fans.

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Oct 5 • 10:09 AM EDT • Technology • polygon.com
Collective Ethics in an Autocratic Climate: M. Gessen Discusses the “Politics of the Past and Politics of the Future”

What are our ethical obligations as students living, learning, and creating a politics of the future at Haverford College? We must establish a clear set of ethical principles that we are unwilling …

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Oct 5 • 10:00 AM EDT • Politics • haverfordclerk.com
Pixel 12 series leak allegedly reveals model numbers, display specs, no wide Fold

A new leak allegedly reveals Pixel 12 display specs, model numbers, and helps confirm Google isn't launching a wide Fold.

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Oct 5 • 9:45 AM EDT • Technology • 9to5google.com
Dennis Hastert, longtime Republican House speaker who went to prison, dies at age 84

Dennis Hastert, the nation’s longest-serving Republican House speaker, whose own political legacy was forever fouled by allegations that he molested high school

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Oct 5 • 9:41 AM EDT • Politics • wtop.com
Top crypto group to pour millions into bipartisan slate of House races after key legislation stalls

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top cryptocurrency campaign organization is unveiling a bipartisan list of House members that it will support in the November midterms, as o

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Oct 5 • 9:25 AM EDT • Politics • wtop.com
2026 Outstanding Women in Business

The 18th annual Outstanding Women in Business awards recognize a dozen well-accomplished professionals from across the region and in many industries who go above and beyond. The committee selected the winners from more than 80 nominations, all of whom were worthy. The criteria evaluated each nominee’s professional achievements, community impact, ability to break the glass ceiling and mentorship of other professionals, particularly women. In addition to profiling these women in the following pages, the Worcester Business Journal will celebrate this year’s Outstanding Women in Business at a special luncheon on Oct. 28 at the College of the Holy Cross. To join the celebration of these exceptional women, visit WBJournal.com and register. – Mark Conti, editor This Year’s Judges Worcester Business Journal considered 54 Central Massachusetts professionals for the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business awards, based on 83 nominations. These nominees were independently evaluated by two volunteer judges, who scored each on their professional achievements, community contribution and mentorship of young professionals. Samantha P. McDonald is a partner at Bowditch. She is an experienced, client-focused real estate lawyer, concentrating on business and real estate property law. She has been recognized as a WBJ Power 100 in the Class of 2026 and a “Top Women of Law” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Dr. Kavita Babu is chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Heywood Healthcare, where she provides strategic and clinical leadership to advance high-quality, patient-centered care across the organization. She is also a member of the WBJ Outstanding Women in Business Class of 2025.

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Oct 5 • 9:24 AM EDT • Business • wbjournal.com
American College of Lifestyle Medicine welcomes national resolution advancing nature as a foundation for health and well-being

/PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) today welcomed a resolution adopted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA)...

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Oct 5 • 9:11 AM EDT • Health • prnewswire.com
Conference to Explore Alternatives to Coercive Mental Health Care

The 18th annual Critical Voices Network Ireland (CVNI) conference will take place at University College Cork November 12 and 13, bringing together speakers and participants to explore critical and alternative responses to human distress.

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Oct 5 • 9:00 AM EDT • Health • madinamerica.com
College Football biggest risers & fallers after Week 5

Who are the biggest risers and fallers this week in college football?

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Oct 5 • 8:45 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Is it legal? Trump promises Medicare and ACA checks without Congress ahead of midterm elections

President Trump is promising $90 payments to more than 20 million Medicare seniors and $500 refunds to nearly 1 million ACA enrollees, bypassing Congress and raising legal questions from Democrats.

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Oct 5 • 8:26 AM EDT • Politics • news5cleveland.com
Marvel's 'Project COMET' First Gameplay Trailer Allegedly Leaks

We've heard rumors and talk of Project COMET for weeks, and the new Marvel game has reportedly had its first footage leaked.

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Oct 5 • 8:06 AM EDT • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Democrats release midterms ad featuring family of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre

The campaign arm working to elect House Democrats released a political advertisement on Monday featuring the family of Virginia Giuffre, who was the first victim of Jeffrey Epstein to go public with allegations of abuse.

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Oct 5 • 8:03 AM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
Involuntary treatment remains sticking point in new mental health legislation

Signing of SB 989 makes it easier for first responders to initiate CARE Court petitions.

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Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • sandiegouniontribune.com
Northwestern Projected to Make College Football Playoff in Early Prediction

Northwestern is projected as the No. 10 seed in an early College Football Playoff bracket after the Wildcats’ dominant 34-13 win over Penn State.

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Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Poole College Broadens Access to Graduate Business Leadership Certificate

Graduate students from any discipline, as well as prospective learners from outside NC State, may now pursue the certificate.

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Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Business • poole.ncsu.edu
Tech billionaires are spending millions to reshape California’s Legislature

Tech billionaires funding PACs have enjoyed recent growth in personal and corporate wealth and are spending it to handpick the Legislature.

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Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Politics • calmatters.org
Will Democrats’ midterm wave reach California’s Central Valley? Bernie Sanders rallies the vote

Bernie Sanders rallied hundreds in sweltering Bakersfield heat for Randy Villegas, a progressive long shot in one of the nation's most contested House races.

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Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Politics • calmatters.org
Meet the Houston university professor who's also a club DJ

Alex La Rotta teaches history at the University of Houston and Houston City College while also spinning at area events and flying the flag for Latino and Chicano popular music.

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Oct 5 • 7:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • houstonchronicle.com
Sexual misconduct allegations threaten to topple veteran LA Democrat

LA Democrat Jimmy Gomez is facing a strong socialist challenger.

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Oct 5 • 7:00 AM EDT • Politics • sfgate.com
5 takeaways from Iowa lawmakers passing historic $1.4B tax breaks

Five key takeaways from the Iowa Legislature passing historic tax incentives for a $15 billion proposed steel mill.

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Oct 5 • 6:35 AM EDT • Politics • desmoinesregister.com
Renée Slegers has full backing from Arsenal despite slow start

Arsenal are not looking to dismiss manager Renée Slegers despite a slow start to the 2026/27 season.The Gunners have won just one of their opening five matches in the WSL which sees them ninth in the...

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Oct 5 • 6:25 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Bournemouth unhappy with England about serious Alex Scott injury

Bournemouth are dismayed and frustrated about an injury to Alex Scott, who has withdrawn from England duty after suffering a serious thigh problem.

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Oct 5 • 6:08 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Data centers become a new political battleground in Tennessee

As opposition grows, AI companies are spending heavily on campaigns and lobbying as data centers reshape Tennessee politics.

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Oct 5 • 6:03 AM EDT • Politics • knoxnews.com
Data centers become a new political battleground in Tennessee

As opposition grows, AI companies are spending heavily on campaigns and lobbying as data centers reshape Tennessee politics.

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Oct 5 • 6:03 AM EDT • Politics • tennessean.com
Bob Kustra and Jenny Kustra-Quinn: The time for keeping beluga whales captive for our entertainment has passed

There is no legitimate reason for us to deprive belugas of the right to flourish.

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Oct 5 • 6:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • chicagotribune.com
The Democratic Party is fighting itself, even in Cleveland

A local look at the national divide between progressives and moderates in the Democratic Party.

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Oct 5 • 5:50 AM EDT • Politics • ideastream.org
Central Asia's growing commitment to university sport on full display in Tashkent and Samarkand

The 1st Central Asia Student Sports Federations Forum, held from 29 September to 2 October 2026, brought together FISU leadership, FISU Central Asia and national university sports federations from across the region, confirming the growing political and institutional commitment to student sport in Central Asia. National delegations from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan attended […]

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Oct 5 • 5:42 AM EDT • Sports • fisu.net
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Wyoming Business Hits A 5-Year Enrollment High. Its Dean Isn't Satisfied

Scott Beaulier once pictured a McDonald's franchise as his ceiling. Now he wants national recognition for a Wyoming college up 18% since 2021

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Oct 5 • 5:21 AM EDT • Business • poetsandquantsforundergrads.com
Processed meat may be causing rise in bowel cancer

Food safety expert says chemicals in bacon and ham giving them their pink colour are ‘one of the main suspects’

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Oct 5 • 5:12 AM EDT • Technology • telegraph.co.uk
Inter Join Barcelona, EPL Giants for Stuttgart Talent

Inter got only slightly younger defensively in the summer and have earmarked Finn Jeltsch to bring in fresh legs at the position in the future. The Nerazzurri parted ways with Stefano Acerbi, Stefan D...

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Oct 5 • 5:05 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2026

Nearly four weeks out from Election Day, the Senate battleground map is growing after signs of improvement for Democrats in several red-leaning states.

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Oct 5 • 5:00 AM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
As flu season approaches, here’s why you should you get your vaccine now

While flu activity is still relatively low, officials say now is the time to get vaccinated before cases begin to rise later this year.

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Oct 5 • 5:00 AM EDT • Health • wusf.org
Governor’s advisory council discusses Youth Risk Behavior Survey ahead of final policy recommendations

Gov. Stein's advisory council is finalizing recommendations on youth well-being before the legislature decides how to use Meta settlement funds.

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Oct 5 • 5:00 AM EDT • Health • ednc.org
First-year food science students compete in product development

UNIVERSITY PARK — “Yam Bam” and “Boocha Boost” may not be household food names, but they represent the kind of innovation students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are

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Oct 5 • 2:30 AM EDT • Science • meadvilletribune.com
‘Gossip Girl’ 25th anniversary musings

The CW’s “Gossip Girl” recently turned 19 years old, making it the age of this year’s college freshmen. Despite being over a decade old, the show remains impressively relevant among

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Oct 5 • 1:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • valpotorch.com
That's Entertainment: Week of 10/05/26

Music

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Oct 5 • 12:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • leadertelegram.com
NYC health officials investigating Queens building after 2 confirmed cases of Legionnaires
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Oct 4 • 11:57 PM EDT • Health • cbsnews.com
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Sacramento sisters honor family legacy with dried fruit business

Three sisters in Sacramento have launched Stained Glass Fruit, a company that turns California-grown citrus into dried slices, blending their family’s agricultural history with entrepreneurship.

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Oct 4 • 11:55 PM EDT • Business • kcra.com
Ivy Summer in Rome offers five weeks of business courses and culture

For five weeks during the summer, Iowa State business students trade lecture halls in Ames for classrooms in Rome as part of the Ivy Summer in Rome program. Designed for Ivy College of Business students, the program offers four classes that students can choose from. All classes are required for business majors, minors and certificates,...

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Oct 4 • 11:50 PM EDT • Business • iowastatedaily.com
Dubay named ETSU College of Business and Technology Eastman Chair of Leadership

Dr. Chelsie Dubay has been named the East Tennessee State University College of Business and Technology’s Eastman Chair of Leadership, where she will help guide AI initiatives and strengthen relationships

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Oct 4 • 11:30 PM EDT • Business • greenevillesun.com
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2 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease at Queens apartment complex prompt NYC Health Department probe

The city Department of Health is investigating an apartment building in Queens, following two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease among the residents there.

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Oct 4 • 11:00 PM EDT • Health • cbsnews.com
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White House tells ‘Big Bang Theory’ creator to ‘seek psychiatric help’ after he slams Donald Trump

Chuck Lorre is the latest Hollywood legend to lock horns with the White House, which suggested via a spokesperson he ‘seek psychiatric help’ after Lorre called Donald Trump a ‘bloated orange piece of s---.’

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Oct 4 • 10:58 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com
$120 million “Future of Food” initiative seeks to improve food science department

$120 million Initiative brings “Future of Food’ to UMass Food Science Department

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Oct 4 • 9:56 PM EDT • Science • dailycollegian.com
Rapper Lucki alleged stabbed in bloody brawl outside ComplexCon

Video appears to show the rapper with a laceration below the jaw. At least four people were hurt in a knife attack, police said.

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Oct 4 • 9:50 PM EDT • Entertainment • latimes.com
A student guide to mental health resources on campus

Recognition of someone struggling is only the first step of prevention. Whether a student is experiencing a crisis themselves or knows someone who is, Auburn's mental health resources offer several means of support. College is a transitional time in life, and seeking help during those struggles, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact.

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Oct 4 • 9:25 PM EDT • Health • theplainsman.com
Miles College Honors Master P, Announces Economic Mobility Initiative at Inaugural Business and Research Conference

Special to the Times Miles College hosted its first Judge U.W. Clemon Center Business & Research Conference on Friday, during Homecoming 2026, bringing together Alabama leaders and nationally r…

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Oct 4 • 8:58 PM EDT • Business • birminghamtimes.com
APTOPIX Brazil Election

Supporters of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, kiss as they react to partial presidential election results in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.

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Oct 4 • 7:58 PM EDT • Business • telegraphherald.com
Man injured, businesses damaged following shooting in Arlington

Officers found shell casings and damaged windows at a shopping center lot. A man was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital. No arrests yet.

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Oct 4 • 6:04 PM EDT • Business • nbcdfw.com
Anti-Woke Sports Bro Cut From College Football Fan Favorite

The Barstool Sports founder blamed his rival team for Fox Sports’ decision.

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Oct 4 • 5:56 PM EDT • Entertainment • huffpost.com
Kings Have One of NBA’s 10 Craziest Games in History

Relive the historic night Sacramento erased a massive 35-point deficit against Chicago, cementing a legendary comeback that remains one of the most improbable statistical anomalies in basketball history.

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Oct 4 • 5:25 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
US removes all Air Force bombers from Fairford base amid terrorism concerns

The United States has moved long-range bombers back to their American home stations days after the British government arrested a number of individuals in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to target the UK airbase where the planes had been stationed.

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Oct 4 • 5:24 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
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Boston 25 News

A local college student’s auto detailing business has grown from helping family and neighbors to servicing the vehicles of professional athletes across New England.

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Oct 4 • 5:18 PM EDT • Business • facebook.com
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Rashee Rice injury update as Chiefs WR leaves game with apparent leg injury

Latest updates after Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered an apparent leg injury forcing him out of the Week 4 game .

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Oct 4 • 4:57 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
KFF: U.S. poised to boot thousands of legal immigrants from Medicaid
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Oct 4 • 4:44 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood

Their anxiety is fueling a restlessness with a national political system that they worry is no longer capable of improving their lives or no longer interested in helping.

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Oct 4 • 4:30 PM EDT • Politics • pbs.org
Despair fuels political anxiety for college students

Many college students today are feeling anxious about their future.

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Oct 4 • 3:30 PM EDT • Politics • latimes.com
Josh Allen Sets Bills Record Against the Patriots

The dual-threat quarterback surpassed Hall of Fame legends Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas, etching his name atop the franchise leaderboard with a historic first-half touchdown plunge.

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Oct 4 • 2:28 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
How Kansas Suddenly Became a Battleground State for Senate Control

The state hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate in nearly a century. Economic challenges during President Trump’s second term, as well as other factors, have put it in play.

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Oct 4 • 1:53 PM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com
I’ve built hundreds of Lego sets. These early October Prime Day deals are actually worth buying

As an avid Lego builder, I found the best early October Prime Day deals on Lego Star Wars sets, brick-built plants and even F1 cars that you’ll find at Amazon.

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Oct 4 • 1:00 PM EDT • Technology • cnn.com
College Football Sunday Summary; Product Testing

We are five weeks through the college football season, and the folks at College Football Sunday Summary feel like it all just started. We know this…we have seen and heard things over the weekend that seem to require some product testing. College Football Sunday Summary Headache Guy The jokes were too good to ignore this …

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Oct 4 • 12:13 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
SNL Weighs in on GTA 6 vs. The Legend of Zelda With Skit Featuring Jason and Link

SNL weighed in on GTA 6 vs. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake with a new Weekend Update skit featuring video game protagonists Jason Duval and Link.

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Oct 4 • 11:55 AM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Courtland Sutton Can Tie Broncos Legend Against His Son's 49ers

Courtland Sutton needs just one catch against the 49ers to tie Ed McCaffrey for fifth in Broncos history, with McCaffrey's son Christian on the opposite sideline.

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Oct 4 • 11:46 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
COMMENTARY: Should MacIntyre or Brandon be QB1 this week?

Tennessee football has a legitimate quarterback controversy. Hope it doesn't ruin Faizon Brandon.

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Oct 4 • 11:09 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Lamont, Fazio make pitches to Connecticut business leaders as Election Day nears

With just over five weeks until Election Day, Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio make their case to Connecticut business leaders. Plus, the sentencing of former state official Kosta Diamantis, more departures from Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) and bipartisan calls to suspend Connecticut's gas and diesel taxes.

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Oct 4 • 10:30 AM EDT • Business • wtnh.com
Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students

Their anxiety is fueling a restlessness with a national political system that they worry is no longer capable of improving their lives or no longer interested in helping.

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Oct 4 • 10:09 AM EDT • Politics • boston.com
From detailing family cars to cleaning rides for Patriots players: Local college student’s business

A local college student’s auto detailing business has grown from helping family and neighbors to servicing the vehicles of professional athletes across New England.

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Oct 4 • 9:19 AM EDT • Business • boston25news.com
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Book review: How one coach built a college golf dynasty

Jim McLean details how coach Dave Williams transformed the University of Houston into a college golf powerhouse.

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Oct 4 • 9:01 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Every Wiley College player drafted by the Boston Celtics

Let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Wiley College.

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Oct 4 • 9:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy

Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. 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. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.

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Oct 4 • 8:59 AM EDT • Health • fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com
Georgia woman business owner arrested on fraud charges

Other Mad Marketing clients have also come forward with allegations of fraud.

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Oct 4 • 8:22 AM EDT • Business • wsbtv.com
Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Frankie Llerandi, 21, has been unable to land a single internship in his three years at Michigan State University.

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Oct 4 • 7:38 AM EDT • Politics • wral.com
Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Frankie Llerandi, 21, has been unable to land a single internship in his three years at Michigan State University.He will

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Oct 4 • 7:35 AM EDT • Politics • bangordailynews.com
Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Frankie Llerandi, 21, has been unable to land a single internship in his three years at Michigan State University.

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Oct 4 • 7:35 AM EDT • Politics • coasttv.com