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From media empires to crypto: the best business books to read this summer
Keza MacDonald’s Super Nintendo and Martin Sixsmith’s Suing the Kremlin are among these top reads
From media empires to crypto: the best business books to read this summer
Keza MacDonald’s Super Nintendo and Martin Sixsmith’s Suing the Kremlin are among these top reads
2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Ian Strong, WR, California
Ian Strong heads west to California to improve his draft stock more after a dominant 2025 season.
Health officials offer tick safety tips as summer outdoor season ramps up
Mesa County Public Health is reminding residents that while tick-borne illnesses are rare in the area, taking precautions during outdoor activities can help reduce risk this summer.
Texas Tech Health Science Center Offers Summer Safety Guidance
Texas Tech Health Science Center Offers Summer Safety Guidance
Healthy Living with Northern Light Health: summer grilling
Summer grilling season is here, and while cookouts are often associated with burgers, hot dogs, and heavy side dishes, the grill can also be a great tool for creating healthy, flavorful meals.
Small businesses say they're having a good summer as Americans travel closer to home
Small business owners in U.S. tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer
Long Reads for the Long Weekend
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Happy Fourth of July weekend! As has been a tradition of mine going back to the beginning of the EntStrategyGuy website, I’m sharing my favorite long reads of the last year, like I did in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Let’s dive right in! Subscribe “Different Prices for the Same Ride: How Uber and Lyft Use AI to Get More Money Out of You“ by Derek Kravitz in Consumer Reports I don’t think surveillance pricing, like the kind described in this brilliant Consumer Reports article, is long for the world—it’s toxically unpopular—but we’ll see if either party takes on this issue. If I ran a political party focused on affordability, I would focus on a few pro-consumer and pro-market policies: Banning non-compete agreements. Ending surveillance pricing Eliminating junk fees (read more here...) Ensuring “right to repair” for consumer (and military!) products Capping excessive app store fees Stopping digital/algorithmic price-fixing tools. Preventing automatic subscription price increases. And more. If you want to fight inflation, there are a lot of great ways to do it quickly. Speaking of higher prices... “Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy“ by Matt Stoller in BIG Again, I think a political party should focus on lowering prices for consumers. And deals like this—Walmart making a deal/forcing Pepsi to offer the lowest prices at its stores and nowhere else—hypothetically lower prices at Walmart...but raise them everywhere else. “15 DUIs, still driving: California’s failure to take repeat drunk drivers off the road“ by Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler in CalMatters CalMatters does terrific reporting in California, something the Golden State desperately needs more of, and this article is a great example of that. “PugLips: The next insanely popular thing you’ve never heard of…” by Simon Carless in Game Discover Co I thought that this parody article (and yes, it’s a parody, but I was definitely unsure at first) was hilarious and totally nailed how much tech/business journalism feels these days. Actually, three of my favorite articles this year were on hype in the video game industry, including Georg Zoller’s “The Video Game Industries Very Dark Night”—which I linked to recently and wrote a follow-up here—and Owen Mahoney’s “Derek Zoolander, Videogame Exec”. In particular, I like Mahoney’s focus on user experience as a guide to what trends will actually grab hold of customers. “The Matrix Lies“ by Evan Shapiro in Media War & Peace Evan Shapiro’s first person account of his experience with AI was hilarious. I think LLMs capabilities have significantly grown from last summer, and yet...my editor/researcher just had an abysmal experience using an LLM to do a quite basic task (which our LLM normally does each week) and the LLM made a mistake on every single data entry...along with seven different mistakes affecting twelve of the twenty or so entries, including mistakes that are explicitly spelled out in the prompt. That’s a brutal failure rate. Again, if you use AI/LLM for data collection, you need to take a lot of extra steps to verify and check the data. “Ghosts in the Balcony: A Cross-Country Trip to 58 Theaters Fighting to Survive“ by Matthew Frank in The Ankler I thought Matthew Frank’s pitch to head across America to visit theaters sounded insane aggressive at the time—at least it felt that way to someone a decade older than him; man, to be in your twenties again, am I right?—but I knew the result would be great. And it was, a terrific feature by a great young writer. Also, I loved Matthew’s recent article on who’s getting the precious few entry level jobs in Hollywood. (Hint: nepotism.) “Disney erased FiveThirtyEight“ and “Did Las Vegas get too greedy?” by Nate Silver in Silver Bulletin I love media history and analysis, and there’s no one better to get the history of FiveThirtyEight than from Nate Silver, who wrote about his personal experience in one of my favorite pieces from this year. I also loved Nate’s breakdown of what’s causing Vegas’ woes, but I’ll offer one criticism, summarized as “Might I suggest antitrust?” Many centrists/center-right/libertarian thinkers (Nate is self-described as the latter) often don’t consider consolidation or antitrust as factors in policy issues like housing, America’s military readiness, or, in this case, Las Vegas. Even if libertarians want to debunk antitrust/consolidation concerns, I’d love to read that debunking. In this case, Vegas is incredibly consolidated (though it also has been for a long time) and I’d have loved to read Nate at least contending with this factor, since he addresses almost every other potential factor for Vegas’ decline. “Why Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Pullback Is Such a Big Deal“ by Robinson Meyer in Heatmap News I’m a big supporter of carbon removal efforts, but this nascent industry faces a lot of headwinds, including this big move most recently. I think it’s clear that solar panels and batteries should be able to get the world to its carbon footprint goals, but effective carbon renewal remains necessary to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. “AI is killing the cheap smartphone“ by David Oks LLMs and AI will impact the world in ways we’re not ready for, and already, third world countries are seeing the prices of cheap cellphones skyrocket due to the cost of chips skyrocketing. This article by David Oks is a terrific breakdown. “100 Days of Madness: Netflix, Paramount, Warner and the Future of Hollywood“ by Wade Major at Hollywood Heretic Wade Major dove deep into Hollywood/streaming’s financials in this must read piece. Not that I agree with everything in this article (read my take on Warner Bros./Paramount here) but the analysis is top notch. I think many people discount how quality thinking, regardless of the argument/conclusion, will make you a better thinker. “Erased by the UFC: Frank Shamrock, The MMA GOAT of the 20th Century“ by Nate Wilcox in The MMA Draw Newsletter Growing up playing the UFC fighting game on the Dreamcast, Frank Shamrock was my favorite MMA fighter, and this history/tribute to him was great. Other Fun Reads “The Hardest Part Of History To Tell Is How It Felt“ by Craig Fehrman at Defector “Unmasking the Sea Star Killer“ by Craig Welch at bioGraphic “What Could Save the Industry? Fin-Syn“ by Richard Rushfield in The Ankler Alex Rollins Berg in Underexposed on movie bumpers, pillow shots, Disney trash cinema, cult films, and Casablanca. David H. Montgomery in YouGov’s The Surveyor on punctuation marks, condiments, dinosaurs, and comic strips and kids media. “How Medium finally pivoted its way to profitability“ and “Why the best journalists on YouTube are all former Vox employees“ by Simon Owens in Simon Owens’s Media Newsletter “It’s Not Just You, Netflix Shows Have Gotten Slightly Shorter: Here’s What the Data Says“ by Kasey Moore at What’s on Netflix “Numlock Awards: How Diane Warren became the biggest loser in Oscar history“ by Nathaniel Rakich and “Numlock Awards: The Oscar Bait era is over. The Oscar Chum era is here.” by Walt Hickey & Michael Domanico at Numlock Awards
Congress Tackles Public Health Preparedness for World Cup
Learn how congress is tackling public health preparedness, as the United States hosts the World Cup and gears up for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Small businesses supported by BMO Bank find big success at Summerfest
Summerfest offers a big stage for local businesses to grow through a unique BMO Bank sponsorship program.
July Fourth safety guide for fireworks, heat and water this weekend
Firefighters, health officials and water safety advocates share tips for staying safe over the holiday weekend and summer.
Al-Sadd fail in swoop for Marseille’s Nayef Aguerd
Qatari club Al-Sadd have failed in their attempts to sign Olympique de Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd (30), as per a report from Foot Mercato.Marseille need to sell players this summer. Whilst the L...
BREAKING: Julian Nagelsmann steps down as Germany head coach
According to BILD, Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as Germany head coach after three years in charge, following the national team’s disappointing Round of 32 exit at this summer’s World Cup, wh...
Are Europe’s extreme summers the new normal? What the science says
WHO warns Europe must 'plan for heat like winter flu' as experts reveal how permanent this summer's extreme heat is.
Deal will see Liverpool midfielder reunited with former Reds coach
Liverpool have been tipped to shake up their midfield options this summer.The likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have been linked with moves away following poor seasons under Arne Slot.Slot...
Sephora Brings Beauty Leaders Together at The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2026
Founders and executives from brands including Kayali, Ilia Beauty, Summer Fridays, Merit Beauty and Danessa Myricks Beauty gathered at Stanly Ranch to discuss the partnerships shaping the industry’s future.
Grandview barn business highlights vintage Americana, small-town traditions
R7 Reclaimed shares vintage Americana décor ideas and highlight Grandview’s Small Town Summer traditions as communities celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Providing Outdoor Science Education
Science Kids was one of 15 nonprofits that received funding from the Sheridan-Johnson Counties Local Board of the Wyoming Community Foundation as part of their spring competitive grant cycle. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has more. Science Kids in Sheridan started in 2009. The nonprofit provides outdoor, hands-on science education and summertime classes for youth ages […]
‘Explosive’ diarrhea illness reported across US. See map of affected states
Cyclosporiasis can ruin a summery picnic with explosive diarrhea and other food poisoning symptoms, according to the CDC. See the impacted states.
Cavs announce 2026 NBA Summer League roster
Nae’Qwan Tomlin will be joining the group heading to Vegas.
New owners of One Canal Place declare bankruptcy just over 2 months after $28M acquisition
The New York brothers behind a network of for-profit summer camps and a complex web of corporations and are now under investigation by Israeli authorities.
Former Arkansas basketball players preparing for NBA Summer League
At the time of writing, eight players who finished their careers with the Arkansas men’s basketball team have been announced on Summer League rosters.
Arkansas basketball learns Bahamas opponents ahead of summer trip
The Razorbacks will face two Canadian universities, a Colombian professional team and the Bahamas national team while in Nassau.
Professor Universe brings science, comedy to the library
Professor Universe will make his first appearance at the St. Charles Parish Library this summer with a one-man show that combines science education and comedy. Professor Universe, portrayed by actor, clown, director and teacher Dallas [...]
Students gain hands-on research skills during ASSURE summer science program
Liberty University’s ASSURE program, an annual six-week summer intensive through the School of Health Sciences’ Department of Biology & Chemistry, concluded last month with its largest participation yet, with 36 students gaining research experience under the supervision of 16 faculty members....
Sporting director Hughes set to leave Reds next year
Richard Hughes is overseeing Liverpool's current transfer window, but is expected to exit the club next summer.
Liverpool news: Sporting director Richard Hughes not expected to sign new deal at club
Richard Hughes is overseeing Liverpool's current transfer window, but is expected to exit the club next summer.
Capcom Says No Thank You To GTA 6-Fueled Release Traffic Jam
The action game just became a late summer launch
Bonus 236: A Term of Self-Inflicted Wounds
Within minutes of the Supreme Court handing down the birthright citizenship ruling on Tuesday and rising for its summer recess, its defenders were pointing to that decision (alongside the late-arriving mail-in ballots ruling on Monday and the tariffs ruling from February) as decisive proof that the Court really is “above politics,” and that criticisms of the justices for behaving more like politicians in robes than like judges are thus unfair. For a particularly thoughtful version of this claim, see Professor Will Baude’s opening response to the latest New York Times written roundtable about the Court with Baude, Professor Kate Shaw, and me. In that roundtable, I already offered one of the two major arguments against this thesis—that it’s an assessment of the numerator without regard to the denominator, and that a full account of the Court’s behavior throughout OT2025 suggests that the Court behaved even more politically during the current term than during even the previous (highly politicized) one. Just to take one of many data points, last term (OT2024), there were six rulings in argued cases in which all six Republican-appointed justices were in the majority and all three of the Democratic appointees were in dissent (along with a slew of such rulings on the emergency docket). This term, there were … 13. (Along with two 6-3 summary reversals and 10 rulings on the emergency docket from which the three Democratic appointees all dissented.) Today’s bonus issue addresses the flip side of that coin. In particular, below the fold, I identify four different moments in which the justices could have acted in ways to specifically defuse charges of political behavior—and opted instead to lean all the way in. As much as end-of-term narratives focus on what the Court did, and on the takeaways from individual rulings, consider today’s post an attempt to identify opportunities that the Court missed, as well. At least in the examples discussed below, by opting for the outcome that made the Court look more transparently political, the Court inflicted a series of (unnecessary) credibility wounds on itself. For those who aren’t paid subscribers, we’ll be back Monday with our regular coverage of the Court. For those who are, please read on.
Entertainment this week: Fourth of July celebrations, live music and more
Friday, July 3 14th Annual Summer Concert on the Green – 6-10 p.m., Tahoe Donner Driving Range, 12790 Northwoods Blvd. Tahoe Donner’s largest family-friendly live music event returns for its 14th year, once again on...
Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe
Man, it's a hot one! Don't go out in this summer's heat wave before you arm yourself with these tips and a really big water bottle.
The Bear’s Den, July 2, 2026
The Chicago Bears summer continues as America prepares to celebrate it’s 250th birthday
NASA launches bold mission to rescue a falling space telescope before it crashes to Earth
NASA's Swift Observatory is slated to enter Earth's atmosphere later this year, but the Katalyst Space spacecraft aims to boost it higher this summer.
Rochester Opera House summer shows feature Jimmy Dunn, Pop Girls
Rochester Opera House summer concerts feature comedian Jimmy Dunn, Everclear, and tribute acts with family ticket discounts.
Summer travel health: tips for heat exhaustion, insect bites and travel vaccines
Stay healthy while traveling with help from CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic. Get vaccines, refill prescriptions and prepare for summer travel risks.
Liverpool feeling full weight of massive Mo Salah regret
Liverpool have an enormous Mohamed Salah regret. They're now feeling the full weight of it.Mohamed Salah left Liverpool this summer. The Egyptian is no longer a Red and will find a new club, something...
Los Alamos Faith & Science Forum 2026 Summer Series Presents ‘Expansion on the Book “Just Six Numbers” By Lord Martin Rees’ July 8
LOS ALAMOS FAITH & SCIENCE FORUM NEWS RELEASEThe Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum 2026 Summer Series presents ‘Expansion on the Book “Just Six Numbers” by Lord Martin Rees’ by Dr. Joyce…
Lakers' summer league roster has been finalized
The Lakers have released their official 2026 summer league roster.
Exploring science of summer at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry experts joined ABC7 to explore the science of summer.
Middle School Students Conduct Summer Science Experiments at USU STARS GEAR UP Biotechnology Camp
Utah middle school students from Sanpete County gained hands-on STEM experience during a two-day Biotech camp in June.
Flying for science (and the occasional sled dog)
A Cessna 185 zigzagged a tight back-and-forth pattern along Alaska’s southern coast earlier this summer, the pilot intent on his mission to measure the ocean's response to summer glacier melt.
UP libraries host Super Science Fest this week
Kids learned about animals, science, and art while beating the summer heat.
The World Cup is providing connection and inspiration Americans need
My family did not plan to make the World Cup the centerpiece of our summer, but once it began, we couldn't stop watching.
Priced out: The growing cost of live entertainment
Summer tours are trying to fill seats while keeping up with growing ticket prices. Tickets for the Ed Sheeran concert at U.S. Bank stadium are BOGO through the 4th of July, and the Mystic Lake Amphitheater is doing an offer of four tickets for $99 for select concerts. Meanwhile shows like Noah Kahan are having no problem selling tickets with high ticket prices. Music critic for the Star Tribune Chris Riemenschneider joins All Day to talk about the drama around concert tickets.
CHAMP Initiative Combines Climate Science and Storytelling to Address Urban Heat
As summer temperatures climb, so does the risk of extreme heat—now recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. In cities such as Camden, where buildings, pavement, and other infrastructure trap heat and create higher temperatures than surrounding areas, understanding the impacts of urban […]
10 reasons Wimbledon still feels like sports’ greatest summer ritual
Every summer, the tennis world turns its attention to the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The 2026 Championships, Wimbledon has already produced memorable moments in the first round, with established champions, emotional…
Are your kids already bored this summer? Here’s a new entertainment option.
Sky Zone of Wichita is “an indoor trampoline amusement park,” as one of its owners put it, and is having a soft opening starting July 10.
Are your kids already bored this summer? Here’s a new entertainment option.
Sky Zone of Wichita is “an indoor trampoline amusement park,” as one of its owners put it, and is having a soft opening starting July 10.
Landlocked Colorado’s sea-change primary
Colorado’s primary elections held in the doldrums of early summer tend to be routine affairs, most often predictable and by the book. Tuesday’s battlefield was anything but. It is no exaggeration to call it a sea change. Its ripples will shape our state’s politics for many years to come. Writing on this morning after, let’s […]
Draw down of Pineview Reservoir creates recreation, business concerns
Pineview Reservoir will be significantly drawn down towards the end of this summer as Ogden city prepares to replace part of an aging water pipeline, despite concerns from small businesses.
Indie Selects for July 2026: Gameplay That Will Make Summer Pop
The ID@XBOX team has handpicked five Indie Selects for July that are ready to light up your night like a sky full of summer fireworks.
REVIEW: Trying all of Trader Joe's summer foods + photos
From key-lime tea cookies to Green Goddess Gouda, Trader Joe's has stocked its shelves with new seasonal summer products. Here's how they tasted.
Pinellas girls chart courses in marine science at USF summer camp
Every summer, 30 eighth-grade graduates have the chance to go on a marine research expedition.
Your guide to summer grilling and heart health - Baylor College of Medicine Blog Network
Dr. Nidal Buheis explains the role red meat plays in heart health and suggests how to enjoy red meat in moderation this summer.
Sony will cease production of discs for new PlayStation games in 2028
New games sold for PlayStation consoles will only be available digitally and won’t be sold on discs effective January 2028, Sony has announced. The move applies to all PlayStation games released from that point on, including those made by Sony and those released by third parties. The PlayStation group calls the change “a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” according to a PlayStation blog post reviewed by Game File in advance of its publication. As movies, TV and music have shifted from physical media to an age of downloads and streaming, Sony’s move could speed the demise of physical media in a gaming. The industry has offered consumers games via cartridges, cassettes, floppy discs, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays across a 50-year stretch. Sony has been reporting to investors in recent years that PlayStation games have been increasingly purchased as downloads, not as discs. The most recent figures show nearly four in five purchases of full games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were purchased digitally in the past year. Stats like that may cause today’s news to carry an air of the inevitable. But Sony’s declaration for 2028 is still likely to produce a shock, as the biggest gaming platform on the planet that uses game discs leaves them behind. Discs going away, but the fate of game boxes is unknown Sony is committing to still selling games in physical retailers even after they drop discs in 2028. Just how those games will be sold—in boxes with codes inside, as cards marked with digital redemption codes—is unclear. Digital games will also continue to be sold in the online PlayStation Store. New games released for PlayStation consoles prior to January 2028 will be unaffected by the policy change, Sony says. That means the PS5 games of 2027, be they a new Madden, a new God of War, a new Call of Duty, a new Sly Cooper (one can dream?), would still potentially be offered on disc. PlayStation 6 implications Sony’s timeline for a transition to a no-disc era will also spin up more speculation about the timing and configuration of Sony’s next-generation console, the probable PlayStation 6. “This pretty much guarantees that PS6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest,” Piers Harding-Rolls, senior games research analyst at Ampere Analysis tells Game File. Harding-Rolls also concludes from today’s news that “the base version of a PS6 will not include a physical media drive,” as Sony looks to keep costs down on the device. Sony itself is saying nothing about the PS6 today: not its timing, nor how it might or might not support internal or external disc drives in order to run disc-based PS4 and PS5 games, should the console be backwards compatible. The many signs this was coming Industry support for games being released on physical media has been waning. As has consumer interest in them. PC games effectively went all-digital years ago, thanks to the popularity of playing games through Steam and other digital storefronts. The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that kept much of the global population home helped shift shopping patterns toward downloads. Sony’s own data shows PlayStation game downloads being an uncommon consumer choice a decade ago and now becoming the norm. On consoles, physical media has been in such decline that Sony and Microsoft both launched their current gen Xbox Series and PS5 consoles in 2020 with cheaper versions that lacked disc drives. In early 2024, Phil Spencer, then head of Xbox, told me that ““[w]e ship games physically and digitally, and we’re really just following what the customers are doing.” He added that the game industry had become an outlier in still supporting disc-based entertainment, even as movies and TV have bailed on discs in favor of downloads and steaming: “Gaming consoles themselves have kind of become the last consumer electronic device that has a drive. And this is a real issue, just in terms of the number of manufacturers that are actually building drives and the cost associated with those. And when you think about cogs that we’re going to go put in a console—and as you have fewer suppliers and fewer buyers—the cost of the drive does have an impact.” Last year, the Nintendo’s Switch 2, which uses cartridges rather than discs, introduced the concept of game-key cards, which are physical media that contain no game, just a prompt for a download. Even disc-based games aren’t what they once were, now frequently containing just stubs of games rather than the whole thing. The website Does It Play has tested over 3000 games and found that, for example, that the disc version of this year’s hit 007: First Light, only contained the game’s first mission, with the rest needing to be downloaded. Beyond all that, last week brought the news that Grand Theft Auto VI, likely the biggest game launch this decade, will debut for PS5 and Xbox Series without a disc-based version. Today’s big news comes to you for free. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and ensure more of my work is possible, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Discs helped define PlayStation However the trends in entertainment may be going, it is still remarkable to see PlayStation ditch discs given their importance in PlayStation history: In the late 1990s, the first PlayStation’s support for games on relatively cheap CD-ROMs instead of traditional game cartridges allowed the upstart console to outmaneuver cartridge-based systems from Nintendo and Sega, as it drove down game prices down in the process. (The cheaper disc format even prompted Final Fantasy VII maker Square to taunt Nintendo in a magazine ad, saying that if the game was “available on cartridge, it’d retail for around $1200.”) PlayStation devices often doubled as machines for watching movies and TV on the latest disc-based formats. In the late 2000s, for example, Sony’s pricy PS3 gained traction as a go-to device for playing then-novel Blu-Ray discs. In 2013, Sony effectively roasted the digital game-sharing restrictions proposed by rival Microsoft for its upcoming Xbox One console by showing how games could be shared for the then-upcoming PS4. In a 21-second clip that has over 20 million views on YouTube, one PlayStation executive simply handed a game box—presumably with disc inside—to another, who said “thanks.” Sony’s possible motivations The PlayStation announcement today cites “consumer preferences” and a shift away from discs among “the broader entertainment industry,” but does not delve into the decision-making process that brought Sony to this point. Sony is not discussing the economics of this move (I asked!), but there are a number of potential factors: Abandoning discs will spare Sony the cost of manufacturing and shipping them, which analysts and industry veterans I spoke to said could account for $1 or so of a game’s retail price. For first-party games, that’s direct savings for Sony, though the amount is limited by the winnowing percentage of people who were even buying the disc-based versions. For third-party games, Sony could pass the savings on to partners or just retain the better profit margin for themselves. As the 2024 comments from Phil Spencer alluded to, leaving discs behind could mean leaving disc-drives behind, allowing Sony to produce consoles more cheaply. Switching to digital-only for games could diminish the risks of copies of new games leaking. It would also seemingly make second-hand sales of used games impossible, pushing more people to buy their own copies of games. These economic benefits for Sony could be boons for the games industry overall, Ampere analyst Piers Harding-Rolls tells Game File. Among other things, it could free publishers and retailers from having to worry about securing an inventory of game discs when trying to sell games, he noted. “If there is a way to streamline the business of games retail, I generally think it’s a good thing for the industry as it removes unnecessary costs,” Harding-Rolls said. “This will help offset pressure on margins from other directions – development and staffing costs for example.” Should the industry shift from game boxes that contain discs to smaller, cheaper game cards, Harding-Rolls said, that reduces pressure on publishers and retailers. “The advantage of everything going digital for the industry is that sales can be tracked much more easily and there is less commercial risk for publishers wanting to continue selling via retail,” he said. The shift to no discs will also likely impact game development timelines, as developers will no longer face the same urgency to have a build ready to submit to PlayStation for the production of a disc, as industry experts noted around GTA VI’s no-disc news last week. Instead, projects may gain weeks of development time, in the event delivery deadlines for platform approval move closer to release date. Preservationists’ likely worries While millions of gamers have shifted to digital, there are still people who associate game discs—and only game discs—with actual ownership of PlayStation games. That portion of the gaming community spoke up last week about wanting to buy a version of GTA VI that they could hold in their hands, could lend to a friend and could potentially pop into a well-preserved PS5 console three decades from now and still see it run. Such gamers didn’t want to worry that they’d merely purchased a digital copy that could lose access to the game if, say, the company behind the game someday turns of the servers that transmit downloadable copies. Digital copies of games are inherently less long-lasting, because consumers aren’t actually buying a game (on a disc), just buying access to the game. The fine print in online gaming shops notes this, as does a recent law that went on the books in California in 2025. That lasw requires game publishers doing business in the state to refrain from words like “sell” when offering digital copies of games, unless they explicitly tell consumers that what’s being sold isn’t the game itself but a potentially revocable license to access it. A Sony spokesperson noted to Game File that “[w]ith all digital content, including games, movies, and music, players are purchasing a personal license for non-commercial use.” Regarding the fears of PlayStation games being lost to time in an all-digital era, the rep also noted that Sony remains “committed to delivering experiences from past generations to the new platforms our players are using.” They noted that PlayStation has used emulation and remasters to keep offering its classic games to modern gamers. It’s true that many consumers have become accustomed to not having physical copies of new music albums or movies, but the relative precariousness of digital copies of games is in fact being highlighted today by…. Sony’s other big announcement: the upcoming closure of the PS3 and PS Vita online stores Sony said today that it will be closing the online marketplaces for its PlayStation 3 console and PS Vita handheld in most countries in July 2027 (sooner elsewhere: August 2026 for the PS3 store Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua; late 2026 for PS3 in other Latin American countries and the Middle East). “We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming,” Sony said in its announcement, saying the move “was not an easy decision for us to make.” Sony said that PS3 and Vita marketplaces “are no longer able” to support modern commerce systems, prompting a “need” to close the shops and focus on more modern PlayStation platform stores. The news may spark some deja vu. Sony announced back in March 2021 that it planned to take the PS3, Vita and PlayStation Portable marketplaces offline that summer. The move would have caused some 2,000 digital-only games to become unavailable for new purchasers, according to a VGC analysis at the time. Fans complained loudly. By April 2021, Sony walked back the PS3 and Vita shop closures, with then PlayStation boss Jim Ryan saying “it’s clear that we made the wrong decision here.” This time around, Sony is giving a longer notice period in most regions. The closure of those stores is still likely to cut off access to new purchases of digital-only PS3 and Vita games. The current PlayStation 5 marketplace sells PS5 and PS4 games, as well as a selection of PS1 and PS2 games. It does not sell PS3 games, because games for that platform can’t run on the system (some are offered via a PlayStation Plus streaming option). Vita games also aren’t sold via PS5. Sony says digitally purchased PS3 and Vita games will be downloadable after the stores’ shutdowns “for the foreseeable future.” Sony’s move contrasts with Microsoft’s Xbox platform, which continues to sell and support games from all four Xbox console generations. But it puts it in line with Nintendo, which disabled purchases in the marketplace for its Wii console (a contemporary of the PS3) in 2019. Nintendo discontinued purchases in the online shop for its 3DS portable (a contemporary of the Vita) in 2023. The big questions about Sony’s 2028 post-disc era Will Microsoft follow suit, ending support for new disc-based games on Xbox platforms and therefore all game consoles, too? Whether Microsoft does or not, will third-parties that can no longer release games on discs for PlayStation, simply ditch the disc options across the board? Given the GTA VI no-disc experiment launching this November, will more game publishers decide to forgo disc-based offerings even in 2027? How will no-disc PS5/6 games be packaged and sold in brick-and-mortar retail stores? What becomes of game sharing in an all-digital era? Will Sony modify its current set-up, which currently allows some sharing of digital games across a pair of consoles, to allow more casual lending? (See for example, Nintendo’s year-old system of letting players lend a digital game to another player in a “family group” for up to 14 days.) Will there be a version of a PS6 with a disc drive? Or will a drive be offered as an add-on? And how will gamers who want to retain access to PS4/PS5 disc-based games react to whichever configurations Sony chooses to offer? What will the final disc-based PlayStation game be?
Make a trip to Amana this summer for Jazz in July
Jazz in July will feature the band Confluence from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the Amana Performing Arts Center, 39 38th Ave., Amana.
Pinellas County girls chart courses to marine science careers at USF summer camp
Since 1991, the University of South Florida College of Marine Science has hosted the Oceanography Camp — Especially for Girls. Every summer, 30 eighth-grade graduates have the chance to go on a research expedition and do what marine scientists do.
Wales rugby quiz: Test your summer tour knowledge
Test yourself with our quiz on Wales' men's past five summer tours.
2027 NFL Draft summer scouting report: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Miami transfer quarterback Darian Mensah is next up one the 2027 NFL Draft summer scouting report series.
Wilmington Small Business Coalition: Building Momentum in 2026 by Heather McWhorter
This article was contributed by Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Program Manager. North Carolina continues to be one of the best states to start a business and in 2025, Wilmington, North Carolina earned a spot on the GoDaddy list of the top 10 most entrepreneurial cities in the U.S. While many know Wilmington as small beach town with exceptional food, lots of coffee shops, and fun, vibrant summer activities, a closer look reveals a thriving innovation economy. You’ll find startups emerging across industries including software, healthtech, bluetech, and fintech. At the core of this entrepreneurial ecosystem is the Wilmington Small Business Coalition, with small business advocates and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) dedicated to helping founders grow, thrive, and succeed. “No Wrong Door” Established in 2016, the Coalition was designed to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to access resources most suited to their particular needs. The Coalition is designed to have a “no wrong door” entryway into the regional startup ecosystem. Whether you are exploring a new idea sketched on the back of a napkin or leading a more established, growth-stage company, Coalition members can help connect you with the programs, funding opportunities, mentors, and resources best suited to your needs. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, any Coalition organization can help point you in the right direction. Coalition Members and Leadership Coalition members include the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UNCW CIE), AARP, Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Region SCORE, Genesis Block Foundation, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, YWCA Living the Dream Center for Entrepreneurship, Carolina Community Impact Fund (CCI Fund), Partner Community Capital, 717mkt Office Collaborative, NC Biotech, and Institute NC. In May 2026, the Coalition held its leadership elections, resulting in the selection of a new executive team. The following officers were elected to serve two-year terms: Chair: Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Vice Chair: Diane Lantz, CCI Fund Secretary: Aariene Hansley, Genesis Block Foundation Treasurer: Gloria Monroe, SBTDC Vision for the Wilmington Small Business Coalition In 2026, the Wilmington Small Business Coalition continues its work as a collaborative network of organizations. By connecting programs, expertise, and services across partner organizations, entrepreneurs can more easily find the right support at the right time. Rather than operating in silos, the Coalition aims to function as a unified, cohesive system of support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, ensuring that resources and expertise across partner organizations are visible and accessible. Through stronger collaboration and shared pathways, entrepreneurs can move more seamlessly from idea to startup to growth. Looking to dive into the Wilmington entrepreneurial ecosystem? Connect with any of the Coalition partners to get started! Connect with CIE To learn more about CIE and our services, programs, and events, join the CIE newsletter. You can also follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, or YouTube. CIE’s website is uncw.edu/cie. Heather McWhorter is the director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). CIE supports innovation-forward start-ups and helps to build a vibrant innovation economy for all in southeast NC.
Mississippi Power Foundation partners with the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience for America250
Mississippi Power and The MAX team up for an America250 Summer Celebration
Palace Theater and Downtown Gallatin offer July entertainment
Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. and the Palace Theater continue to offer plenty of entertainment and shopping choices to Gallatin citizens, both inside the air-conditioned theater and outside in the July heat. The Kids Summer Movie Series continues all month on Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon. July 3 will feature 2025’s “How to Train Your
Contract extension marks 'fresh start' for Taylor
Midfielder Fraser Taylor is relishing a "fresh start" under new St Mirren boss Craig McLeish after signing a two-year contract extension. The 23-year-old academy graduate, whose deal now runs to summer 2028, made his first-team debut in 2022 and featured 13 times for the Buddies last season before joining Partick Thistle on loan in January. "I'm really pleased, since the new manager has come in, he spoke to me on the off-season, and his ideas really suit the way I like to play," said Taylor.
Alan Ritchson's 'Reacher' sets season 4 premiere date a month ahead of 'Neagley' spinoff debut
'Reacher's series is returning for its fourth season this summer, just in time to usher in the premiere of its Maria Sten-led spinoff series.
Premier Lacrosse League lands $100 million to chase Olympic moment
The funding comes at a crucial period of preparation for PLL, as it looks to capitalize on lacrosse being a part of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Tejano singer warns of West Nile dangers after mosquito bite leaves him in wheelchair
A single mosquito bite two years ago changed Fernando Silva’s life forever and health officials are now warning that this summer’s record mosquito surge across southeast Texas could put thousands of others at risk.
Olsen twins make rare appearance at brother Trent's wedding
It's a summer of celebration for the Olsen twins. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who turned 40 earlier this month, were spotted at their brother Trent Olsen's wedding in a rare
Meta Summer Sale Offers Massive Savings On Hundreds Of Quest Games
Meta Horizon Store's "Peak Summer Sale" is on, offering major savings on hundreds of Quest, games, apps, and DLC. Here are some of the best deals.
LeBron Reportedly Issues 'Ultimatum' To Warriors Amid Free Agency Rumors
LeBron James has reportedly issued an "ultimatum" to the Golden State Warriors amid the ongoing free agency rumors. The four-time NBA champion forward is set to hit free agency this summer. LeBron is most likely to return to the Lakers, though another team could be inching closer and closer. The ...
Easy tips for healthy eating this summer
Planning a summer cookout? A dietitian offers easy tips for healthy eating this summer and shares some tasty alternatives.
Wa-Hi junior Lars Sandven selected for prestigious national science camp
The residential summer camp provides academic and leadership experience in STEAM fields.
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Watch out for summer sports injuries in youth and adult athletes
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Our teenagers are both student athletes and active in their sports year-round. I'm concerned about injuries that could sideline them. What should we watch for? ANSWER: As the school year ends, summer sports heat up for students and adults alike. Summer may be a prime season for a sport, such as baseball […]
Some upcoming public talks on shark science and conservation
I will be giving some public talks on shark science and conservation this summer. Here’s how to find me! Tuesday, July 7th, Silver Spring, Maryland (Wheaton Library, 5:30 P.M.) This talk is k…
Genesis Celebrates Science Behind Baking
(Southeastern IN) – Genesis: Pathways to Success is celebrating the successful conclusion of Science Behind Baking Camp, an engaging A Summer of STREAM experience that combined nutrition education, teamwork, and hands-on baking. Throughout the camp, […]
Just hopes agent is 'busy' after World Cup impact
Elijah Just hopes his agent is "busy at the moment" as the New Zealand midfielder hinted at a possible summer exit from Motherwell after impressing at the World Cup. Just only joined Motherwell from Danish club Horsens a year ago and is under contract until next summer, with the Scottish Premiership club having an option of extending that by a further year. "The World Cup has given me added belief and also motivation to keep pushing," Just told the NZ Herald.
Safety in the summer
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July is, on average, the hottest month of the year in the United States.
2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor
Could a change of scenery help rebuild the draft hype of DJ Lagway? Check out his 2027 NFL Draft summer scouting report!
2027 NFL Draft Summer Report: Drew Mesetmaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Is Drew Mesetmaker the wild card in the 2027 NFL Draft? Read his summer scouting report to learn more.
Tucson summer heat brings business slowdown to Catalina Foothills shops
A Catalina Foothills Vietnamese restaurant owner says summer heat and fewer snowbirds are slowing sales near Sabino Canyon.
Khalid Robinson takes next step as Warriors' head coach for NBA Summer League
As he enters his 11th season with the Warriors, Khalid Robinson is about to step into a new role as Golden State's NBA Summer League head coach
Old Home Week Parade rolls through Punxsy
PUNXSUTAWNEY — One of the highlights of the summer, the Punxsutawney Old Home Week Parade on Mahoning Street in downtown Punxsutawney, was held on Saturday afternoon under partly sunny skies
Why the Sixers Will Do Business Before Free Agency Begins
No, it's not flashy. But it will be the final table-setting business for them to handle before they can engage in this summer's free agency sweepstakes.
Laredo Public Health issues summer food, pool safety reminders
Laredo Public Health is reminding residents of food and pool safety steps as warmer weather increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Arkansas Department of Health urges caution during extreme heat
Now that it is officially summer, state health officials want to make sure you're on guard against the extreme heat.
Yan Diomande chooses PSG as next destination if he leaves RB Leipzig
Diomande registered 12 goals and nine assists for Leipzig, who he only joined last summer from Spanish side Leganes.
🚨 BREAKING: Robert Lewandowski agrees multi-year deal with Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer looks set to add another iconic veteran presence to its ranks this summer, with Polish legend Robert Lewandowski reportedly primed for a move to Chicago Fire.Per The Athletic, the ...
Panthers rookie WR shares his offseason work in highlight tape
Panthers rookie WR Chris Brazzell II impressed at spring workouts, and he hasn't slowed down during his summer break. Check out his highlights . . .
Business briefs: Free summer health series in Schererville
News and events around the area
Business briefs: Free summer health series in Schererville
News and events around the area
Long Beach reports first West Nile case
The city of Long Beach has reported California's first human case of West Nile virus this summer, according to health officials.
Summer Blockbuster Entertainment
“It’s summertime and the living is easy,” those words sung by Ella Fitzgerald in the 1960s might not ring as true in 2026, but summertime should still be the time […]
Grease is the word at Sutter Street
FOLSOM — Sutter Street Theatre will transport audiences back to the halls of Rydell High this summer with its production of “Grease: School Version,” running through July 26.
Popular 9-season sitcom losing its streaming home at end of the summer
The Emmy-award winning series is regarded as as one of the most iconic shows in television history.
‘Odyssey’ fever grips the Classics world
Fans of the ancient world are seizing their moment with the release of this summer’s blockbuster.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA PRESENTS | This Weekend in the Twin Cities – Entertainment Guide: June 26 ~ June 28, 2026 Edition
Twin Cities Pride, Breakaway, Broadway, concerts, festivals and family fun headline one of summer's biggest weekends across Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
NH businesses feel impact of low summer hiring rates
A new report from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute shows summer hiring rates are lower than previous years in the Granite State, and two businesses on Hampton Beach are feeling the effects.
14 unique ways to celebrate America’s 250th birthday
Fireworks, hotdogs and summer blockbuster movies are Independence Day staples. But this year brings a flurry of unique and alternative events where Americans can come together, put aside our differences,
Timberwolves Re-Sign Jaylen Clark to Three-Year Contract
Minnesota brings back its defensive specialist on a team-friendly deal during a summer full of roster turnover.
Report: Crystal Palace Eye Smart Move for Experienced Arsenal Midfielder
Crystal Palace Eye Christian Norgaard as Arsenal Exit Route OpensPalace Consider Midfield ExperienceCrystal Palace appear ready to offer Christian Norgaard a route out of Arsenal this summer, with Spo...