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Congress averts a government shutdown ahead of the midterms
With just a few weeks to spare, the House approved legislation extending funding through mid-December.
Should California backfill science funding Trump cut? Voters could decide in 2028
Last year the Trump administration cut more than 1,000 California science research grants. A bond measure would restore some of that funding.
Should California backfill science funding Trump cut? Voters could decide in 2028
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A California science bond measure to counter the Trump administration’s research cuts is back from the dead after state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom reached a deal last week to place the $7.5 billion request to voters on the March 2028 ballot. Senate […]
Judge rebukes HHS over AI use in cutting teen pregnancy prevention grants
He wrote that grant solicitations for changes to funding reference public health studies that appear not to exist or do not support what they are cited for.
gamescom 2026’s Steam wishlist winners
gamescom wrapped up last weekend, and it was bloody fantastic. It really felt like the industry had a spring in its step again. The show itself was BUZZING, with 368K attendees (+3% over last year), maxed-out exhibit space, and Opening Night Live pulling over 78M online views (+7.5%). Let’s have a look at the games at the event that brought in the most new Steam wishlists between August 23 and 30. One quick thing before we start, and stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but wishlists are NOT a barometer for launch sales (they’re bookmarks, not baskets is what we always say over here at Alinea). With that aside, wishlists are a nice gauge of hype, so let’s dive in. Witche(r)s and Warlocks take the top two spots The biggest game of the event (by new wishlists, anyways) wasn’t a game at all. It was an expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, nabbed 451K Steam wishlists by the end of the weekend. It’s a big example of something we bang on about constantly: proven IP with built-in fandom is the most powerful force in this market. But said IP can also ripple into other external success stories (more on that later!). Anyway, Songs of the Past debuted at Opening Night Live, and it’s the first Witcher 3 expansion in over a decade, landing next year after a full Witcher 3 remaster (free for existing owners!) arrives next month. The Witcher 3 has sold around 66M copies, and I’ll be one of those owners jumping back in to refresh myself on the core game (like there isn’t enough to play!), then play the expansion next year. This is all part of CDPR’s plan. The studio is clearly whetting everyone’s appetite for The Witcher 4 in 2028 via a classic bridge strategy. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Releasing a free 4K remaster next month – followed by a proper expansion in 2027 – keeps IP top-of-mind across a huge gap between content (games-wise, anyway). It kind of echoes Capcom’s evergreen catalogue strategy. And outsourcing co-development to Fool’s Theory (a studio led by trusted Witcher 3 veterans) keeps CDPR’s internal headcount focused on The Witcher 4. #2 by wishlists between Aug 23 and 30 went to another giant IP: Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast and developed by Invoke Studios (a team of ex-Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and Splinter Cell devs). It’s due to launch in 2027, and it looks brilliant so far. It’s a dark-fantasy open world with third-person spell-slinging. It’s a very Witcher-ish aesthetic. As you might expect, 48% of Warlock’s Steam wishlisters have played Baldur’s Gate 3, and 46% have played The Witcher 3. One to watch. For sure! Mash-ups: Anime GTA (!?) and a city-builder for kids (and adults) Ananta took #3 with 302K new wishlists. It’s an open-world game that looks like GTA and Persona had a baby. It was published by NetEase, developed by Naked Rain, and got a trailer at Opening Night Live. I got hands-on at the show, and it wears its influences openly; there’s literal web-slinging (very Spider-Man) and a LOAD of mini-games (Like a Dragon). It’s free-to-play and out in January. For Ananta, Naked Rain is taking the free-to-play, cosmetics-only route. That’s certainly a choice for a single-player open-world game. Without gacha mechanics driving high ARPU, Ananta is betting purely on top-of-funnel reach and long-term retention. This puts pressure on skin appeal when there’s no multiplayer lobby to flex in (although, co-op is reportedly coming later). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Then there’s Lego Skylines (273K wishlists between Aug 23 and 30), which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a cosy Lego twist on the city-builder genre, as shallow or as deep as you fancy (five min quick sesh or ten-hour no-lifer session; latter for me). There’s some family-friendly stuff in there like couch co-op, which is only really viable on console. Iceflake Studios, which Paradox acquired back in 2020 is developing this one. So Paradox is probably looking for a family-friendly onramp to its rad Cities: Skylines games. The overlap there is plain, with 33% of Lego Skylines wishlisters having played Cities: Skylines and 16% Skylines II. There’s no doubt plenty of parents here (and uncles, ahem) planning to indoctrinate the next gen of city-builders. I’ll definitely be playing with my youngest nephew. This one could be big and educational. I’m very curious to see more. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Mature IP, new and old, rounds out the list As for the rest of the list of gamescom games by new wishlists between Aug 23 and 30: Heroes of Might & Magic III Remake got 189K new wishlists. It remakes the iconic 1999 turn-based-strategy classic in full 3D and 4K. It follows this year’s Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (~1.8M copies sold, as per our estimates), and around a quarter of the III Remake wishlisters have played Olden Era, including 7% of them this month. Wardogs – a $40 PvP shooter – added another 146K to an already massive pile (nearly 1.6M total). It’s published by Team17 and made by Bulkhead. It plays somewhere between the tactical squad stuff of … Squad and the all-out-chaos battlefield of … Battlefield. It’s up to 100 players, and it’s out in about 10 days. It’s already pre-sold over 500K copies on Steam ($16.6M), boosted by a pre-order-only beta. It sold another 70K copies during gamescom, too. Afterworld managed 121K new wishlists. It’s a Paradox-made post-apocalyptic grand-strategy game, and it was announced at the show. It’s a departure from Paradox’s usual historical stuff, and the studio’s first new setting in over a decade. The Paradox purists are into it, with over half its wishlisters having played Hearts of Iron IV (19% this month) and 41% Crusader Kings III (17% this month). Metro 2039 got 110K during the show, tunnelling its total past 1.3M. Nearly 40% of wishlisters have played 2020’s Metro Exodus, the previous mainline title in the series. The Metro novels are Russian, dev 4A Games is Ukrainian, and it’s set in Moscow, so it’s unsurprising that – after the US (17.3% of wishlisters) – the next two countries are Russia (12.7%) and Ukraine (10.0%). The Blood of the Dawnwalker drew in (the blood of) 108K new wishlisters, now totalling an impressive 1.7M (at a $70 price point, though). It’s an open-world dark-fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century Europe (with vampires!), made by some former Witcher devs at Rebel Wolves. Again, it shows. Over half of Blood of the Dawnwalker’s wishlisters have played The Witcher 3, and its #2 market is Poland, home of Rebel Wolves. That’s that hometown-hero effect we keep banging on about again! And Blood of the Dawnwalker plays very well, by the way. While it looks like a Witcher clone on the surface, it actually brings a lot to the table mechanics-wise. I love the whole time-as-a-currency spin on RPG gameplay. It gives the game a different, refreshing pace. Essentially, you start Blood of the Dawnwalker with a pool of 480 action points spread across 30 days and 30 nights. As for how the game performs, we’ll be posting some numbers next week, so hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready. Subscribe The Witcher’s legacy ripples Make no mistake: on a high level, this was The Witcher‘s gamescom. The #1 game by wishlisters was a Witcher 3 DLC. Warlock is clearly Witcher-inspired – as is Blood of the Dawnwalker, which was made by ex-Witcher devs. There was a lot of other cool stuff on the floor that we’ll no doubt be covering in subsequent newsletters, though! As always, wishlists went through the roof for sequels, remakes, DLC, and licensed IP. As always, though, these wishlists will likely convert to about 5% to 10% of launch-day buyers, with the probable exception of The Witcher DLC – the exception that proves the rule. Either way, we’ve got a nice, diverse list here – one that is very Witcher-y, Paradox-y, and – if you’re a fan of great games on Steam – a bloody good list. We even got a bunch of new IP to get excited for. Great gamescom! Even if we are still processing that unfathomable number of mini Kölsch beers! One more thing: GTA 6 broke the internet (again) Move aside, Spider-Man and The Odyssey (I love you both, really). But the decade’s defining entertainment zeitgeist is round the corner. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Rockstar dropped an extended look at GTA 6 last week. It was INSANE, the most impressed I’ve ever been by a showcase like this. You can see the budget seeping through every second of the extended look, and this level of game is unobtainable for any other publisher. Everyone’s going nuts, and rightly so. GTA 6 is out in holiday 2026, and it’ll be the biggest entertainment release ever, full stop. For those without a PS5 or Xbox Series console, a $500-$900 console is a big ask in this economy, but GTA will pull a lot of last-generation-console fence sitters over the current-gen fence either way: The autumn timing puts GTA 6 on (digital) shelves for the holidays, meaning a PS5 or Xbox (let’s be honest, mostly the former) will be on many a Christmas and Hanukkah list. Demand will outweigh the struggling supply, though, and PS5 Pros are already sold out and being sold at a markup via scalpers. Every console that isn’t on a shelf is a sale deferred or lost, and worse, it hands scalpers the margin. GTA has cultural clout that reaches everyone. It’s been a mainstream fixture since 2001’s GTA III and its clout has only grown exponentially since then. There’s a touchpoint for every generation alive. The FOMO-word-of-mouth double punch does the rest. Loading... It’ll reactivate the lockdown cohort, the millions who picked up gaming in 2020-21 and churned. GTA 6 will bring them back. Remember when College Football 25 brought a bunch of US gamers to current-gen consoles? GTA will do that globally. Once they’re back (or upgraded), and all GTA’d out, the fresh current-gen-console folks will check out the rest of the current-gen catalogue they missed. GTA Online, if not free to play, will also lead to a boost for PS+ and Xbox Game Pass, another boost for the ecosystem players. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Even some of the smug PCMR 60FPS crew won’t be able to resist their FOMO and will bite the bullet on a console to play this one early (then double dip). The consoles cost the same as a decent stick of RAM these days anyway lmao… Don’t get me wrong, though. GTA 6 is no silver bullet for the mature console market, but it does prime the current gen for a couple of strong swan-song years. And it’ll also give the consoles more users from which to maximise ARPU. ‘’We are in the latter half of the lifetime cycle of [the PS5],’’ said Sony President and CEO Hiroki Totoki in a Wall Street Journal interview. ‘’That means we do not need to aggressively sell the console today; rather than that, we are focusing on the current revenue from the current user base.’’ The biggest, best premium games always arrive late in a console cycle, so getting more players aboard now, ahead of that content storm (the new current-gen-only Call of Duty included), is a clear win for the platforms. On the Netflix thing, though: let’s all chill out a bit, like. Half my LinkedIn feed was going bonkers treating the reveal debuting on Netflix like it’s the future of entertainment. It wasn’t. It was a six-hour head start, and Netflix left that detail out of the “first-of-its-kind partnership” press release. The extended look hit Netflix at 3pm ET on 27 August, then went up on YouTube and Rockstar’s site for everyone six hours later. And it was all over social immediately, anyways. This reveal was going to reach an untold number of people whether it debuted on Netflix, YouTube, a Times Square screen, or a group chat. The last trailer did nearly half a billion views in a day with no gatekeeper at all. Netflix just stood next to that audience for six hours, borrowing it. It’s was a tidy deal for Netflix, sure. But every outlet on earth was breaking the thing down frame by frame by the evening anyway. Anyway. I’m hype. And we’ll be covering some GTA numbers on the newsletter soon. So hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready! Subscribe The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Calmatters: Should California Backfill Science Funding Trump Cut? Voters Could Decide In 2028
CalMatters
A New Adventure With A Familiar Name: The New Tudor Northflag GMT
The new Tudor Northflag M9140G1A0U-0001 with a GMT function. Powered by caliber MT5652-U. Retail price €5,100
Holland & Knight Health Dose: September 1, 2026 | Insights
Congress returns to consider a continuing resolution funding the government through December 11, 2026, as healthcare policy and regulatory developments continue.
Home State Health and Centene Foundation Award $750,000 to Missouri Organizations Advancing Community Health
Funding supports community-based programs addressing food security, housing stability, workforce development, foster care and rural health across Missouri ST. LOUIS, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --...
California to buy defunct horse track and turn it into the Bay Area's newest public park
California lawmakers struck a deal to divert $125 million in climate funding to buy the former Golden Gate Fields track and turn it into a park
House to vote on stopgap funding bill as lawmakers scramble to avoid government shutdown
Speaker Mike Johnson to launch a floor vote designed to prevent any federal shutdown before the November midterms
Oxfordshire science facilities protected from funding cuts
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory says its world leading facilities are still operational.
Education and Entertainment—Not a Zero-Sum Game
Gamified learning tends to be viewed as either instructive or fun, but research shows how smart design choices can make room for both.
OpenClaw 2.0 is here: What it means for enterprises
OpenClaw is making another bet: that enterprises ultimately need an agent platform to function as both runtime and workplace.
Josh Allen Bringing Back Fan-Favorite Tradition With New Twist
The Bills quarterback returns to the tunnel with eight hospital-designed caps, now offering fans a chance to wear the same creative styles while funding vital pediatric care.
Jane Fonda chokes up remembering Dolly Parton on the day of her funeral: ‘She meant love’
Jane Fonda got visibly emotional while speaking about Dolly Parton, hours after the music icon was laid to rest.
Texas hospitals to lose $27 million in Medicaid funding daily
Starting Sept. 1, the Trump administration will withhold about $9.8 billion in extra annual funding that helps hospitals cover the difference between Medicaid payments and the actual cost of services.
Hochul announces $36M in additional funding for victim services statewide
The announcement follows advocates speaking up for weeks about not receiving enough funding to operate their programs for their upcoming year.
Maine GOP urges immediate funding boost for struggling rural health centers
PCHC, Maine’s largest federally qualified health organization, said it is in urgent need of funding.
House expected to vote on funding bill, including delay of hemp restrictions
The measure includes legislation that would delay for one month a looming federal ban on many intoxicating hemp products
Six Films Preserved from the Father of Forensic Science
Thanks to a National Film Preservation Fund Grant (NFPF), the WashU Libraries’ Film & Media Archive has successfully completed the preservation of six short reels of scientific film made by Dr. Rutherford Birchard Hayes Gradwohl (1877-1959). An 1898 graduate of the WashU School of Medicine, R.B.H. Gradwohl went on to found the modern version of […]
HHS Awards $77 Million to Strengthen Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, Crisis Services, and Mental Health Services
HHS, today announced on Overdose Awareness Day that it has awarded $77 million in new grant funding to strengthen substance use prevention.
Business Owner Charged with Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud Related to COVID Relief Funds
URBANA, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - Hans Lee Grotelueschen, 56, of Mahomet has been charged with allegedly failing to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service and fraud related to Economic
Ground breaks on $50 million sports and entertainment complex in Amherst
Located near ice rinks, softball diamonds and a golf course, the privately funded project is seen as the next step in making Maple Avenue a sports hub.
49ers, Chargers top sports world poking fun at man who posed as 49ers player
Since two men were arrested with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, the story has dominated social media, with even athletes and sports teams chiming in.
49ers, Chargers top sports world poking fun at man who posed as 49ers player
Since two men were arrested with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, the story has dominated social media, with even athletes and sports teams chiming in.
Funding Cuts, Public Trust, and AI Dominate Concerns for Physical Scientists, Survey Reveals
A new AIP survey finds nearly a fifth of physical scientists have lost federal funding since early 2025, with international travel and recruitment also affected.
Endowment invests $5.2 million in New Hanover County mental health, housing programs
More than $5.2 million in new grants from the New Hanover County Endowment will fund a new mental health crisis center, support the homeless, and boost local entrepreneurs.
Dallas Cowboys claim RB Emari Demercado off waivers
The Dallas Cowboys claimed former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado off waivers, the NFL announced Monday through its transaction wire.
Stability AI Raises $76M Series B, Backed by Major Entertainment Companies
Stability AI, the startup behind image generation model Stable Diffusion, has raised $76 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to $232
Virtual e-health system safely monitors cardiac devices and cuts costs
A virtual e-health system (VIRTUES) was as safe and effective as standard care for monitoring the function of cardiac implantable electronic devices, with the benefit of cost savings and patient satisfaction.
By 2030, US To Cut Health Funding To 18 Countries By 59%
The United States plans to cut its health funding to 18 countries by 59% of pre-2025 levels by 2030, according to a Public Citizen analysis of the bilateral
Burrow, Allen lead 2026 Top-20 fantasy football quarterback rankings
Joe Burrow and Josh Allen lead UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's Top 20 fantasy football quarterback rankings for the 2026 NFL season.
House lawmakers return to Washington with stopgap funding bill among priorities
The bill would keep the federal government fully funded through early December, removing the possibility of a shutdown before the midterm elections
House lawmakers return to Washington with stopgap funding bill among priorities
The bill would keep the federal government fully funded through early December, removing the possibility of a shutdown before the midterm elections
If your Google Messages group chats are malfunctioning, you're not alone
Google has acknowledged the issue.
$30M grant will fund turbulence research center at Michigan State
A 30 million federal grant will help Michigan State University launch a center to study and control turbulence, not just in the air but also in water.
Who is behind Monarch Collective? The 10,000-fan bet that changed women’s soccer investment
Understanding the private-equity fund behind several successful women's sports ventures
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Could Cost Maternal and Children’s Health Care Billions
An estimated $19.7 billion in Texas health care funding is at stake under proposed changes to Medicaid payments. The proposed rules from the Centers for
Is Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Undervalued Following Its 2027 Ride And Halloween Plans?
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) has put fresh attention on its stock after outlining a packed slate of 2027 capital projects and Halloween events, along with continued spending at parks like Carowinds and Carolina Harbor. Against this backdrop of new rides and expanded Halloween events, Six Flags Entertainment’s share price has been weak in recent months. The 30 day share price return is down 6.41% and the 90 day share price return is down 21.64%. This has contributed to a 1 year total...
36,781 Shares in Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $CZR Acquired by Jefferies Financial Group Inc.
Jefferies Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:CZR - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 36,781 shares of the company's stock
Legal & General Group Plc Takes $13.61 Million Position in Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $CZR
Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:CZR - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 450,848 shares of the company's stock, valued at approxi
Launch family fun center bringing arcade, trampoline park to Davis Hwy soon
A new 31,000-square-foot family entertainment center will offer Pensacola food, a trampoline park, dodgeball, a ninja course and much more this fall.
Scientists Capture First Molecular-Level Images of Water Reorganization During a Reaction Crucial for Life
New X-ray approach reveals how charge and surrounding water reorganize during a fundamental chemical reaction
South Korea court finds Unification Church leader Han guilty
A South Korean court on Monday found Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja guilty in a case concerning political funds law violations and bribery tied to alleged efforts to cultivate influence with former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration.
Roanoke gets state funding injection for health sciences
Virginia allocates $174 million for Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine building and supports health sciences growth in Roanoke.
Dolly Parton laid to rest in private Nashville funeral
Dolly Parton was laid to rest in a private Nashville service attended by immediate family following her death at age 80, her great-niece shared on Instagram.
Breckie Hill Has A Surprising History With Netflix’s Newest Reality Star
The internet has a funny way of making a very big world feel tiny. Breckie Hill and Alix Earle are The Breckie Hill Has A Surprising History With Netflix’s Newest Reality Star first appeared on The Bl...
Contra Costa Health facing $730M deficit over next five years
Contra Costa County's health department is staring at a deficit of $730 million over the next five years because of federal and state funding cuts, county health officials said at last week's Board of Supervisors meeting.
Dolly Parton laid to rest in private Nashville funeral, family confirms
Parton was laid to rest Friday in a private Nashville funeral, her great-niece confirmed. Tennessee also moved to rename Nashville's airport in her honor.
Talarico Is Out-Fundraising Paxton and Flooding the Airwaves in Texas Senate Race
The Democratic candidate is on the offensive, giving his party hope in the deep-red state.
Dolly Parton ‘laid to rest’ in private Nashville funeral
Dolly Parton’s friends and family gathered for an intimate funeral honoring the Queen of Country, following her death on Aug. 25.
NH's Business: Ongoing housing developments in New Hampshire
Fred Kocher sits down with Elissa Margolin with Saint Anselm College and Sarah Marchant with NH Community Loan Fund to talk about on how a bipartisan housing act could influence the housing market in NH.
Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices
Hey all, Jason here. When this hits your inbox, I should be en route to the airport — not to go anywhere myself, just to pick up my better half. I must admit, it’s been strange to be home alone (well, with two dogs) for two weeks! Really lets me “optimize” to spending more time on reading/writing/working, whether that’s healthy or not! Looking forward to getting back into a (somewhat) more balance routine. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading Compare Notes With the People Who Built Modern Fintech Partner content: Remitly CEO Sebastian Gunningham. Increase founder Darragh Buckley. Linda Du, Co-founder & President at Valon. They’ll unpack the decisions behind building and scaling major financial products: what they got right, what broke, what they would do differently, and how AI and new infrastructure are changing the operator playbook. Most events tell you where fintech is going. NerdCon puts the people who built the present in the room and asks them what comes next. Expect an operator-led conversation grounded in real products, real trade-offs and lessons earned the hard way. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% on Regular tickets with code FBW20 before standard pricing ends September 11. Meet the Builders Things To Know & Other Good Reads Advent and Stripe Abandon $50 Billion Pursuit of PayPal (Bloomberg) Trump Family’s New Crypto Bank Is Backed by Abu Dhabi Sheikh (Wall Street Journal) The multiplying risks of financing data centres (FT) Let the Bond Market Speak (Wall Street Journal) Did we waste a crisis? Modest proposals to reform deposit insurance. (Fintech Takes Banking) Untangling Guggenheim: How Private Credit Built Its Own Universe (Net Interest) The Hater’s Guide To Circular Financing — Part One (Ed Zitron) Fiat Ventures Rebrands to FGV Capital, Announces $35M Oversubscribed Fund II (BusinessWire) Socure Announces Strategic Growth Investment at $5.2B Valuation and Acquires Agentic Operations Platform Fravity (Socure) Listen: When Consumer Protection Disclosures Work Too Well (Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast) Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices When Andreessen Horowitz led EarnIn’s $39 million Series B in 2017, Alex Rampell, a partner at the storied venture capital firm, described EarnIn’s small-dollar advance product as “free,” relying on “entirely on voluntary contributions instead of fees.” Rampell favorably compared EarnIn’s approach to typical payday loans, writing, “Payday loans historically have had the potential to be a slippery slope for consumers into financial distress: opaque systems and steep fees that are hard to repay and set individuals back further than where they started. For many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, that kind of slide into debt can be extremely difficult to recover from.” But EarnIn’s product — which, the company says, isn’t a “loan,” legally speaking — ends up being anything but free for most users. While it is technically possible to take a no-fee advance from the company, most users incur “Lightning Speed” (instant funding) fees and/or ostensibly optional tips that combined can equate to annualized percent rates that can reach over 1,000%. With an average term of 9.77 days, even fees and tips that are small on an absolute dollar basis are equivalent to high APRs on an annualized basis. A lawsuit filed last week by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser against EarnIn describes the company and its product and business practices quite differently than Andreessen’s Rampell; “EarnIn’s business practices are unfair because they are immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous,” the complaint, filed in District Court in Denver, Colorado, says. EarnIn’s marquee product, Cash Out, isn’t a loan, the company says, as Cash Out is not “[f]orward [l]ooking” because “[t]he money is transferred based on earnings to date,” does not carry a mandatory fee to access funds, and is “non-recourse,” meaning EarnIn cannot pursue recovery from users who don’t repay advanced funds. EarnIn is sometimes referred to as an “Earned Wage Advance” service. Though, unlike some others in the broader category, EarnIn does not integrate with employers’ payroll or time and attendance systems. Rather, EarnIn attempts to verify a user’s income and employment, by examining direct deposit transaction data in their linked external bank account, by using GPS location and Bluetooth data to estimate a user’s time spent at work, if they work in a fixed location, and/or by having a user provided a work email address. While repayment is theoretically optional, as EarnIn would have no recourse, such as reporting non-payment to the credit bureaus or a collections agency, this is anything but clear to users of the EarnIn app, Colorado’s complaint argues. During the process of taking a Cash Out, users must agree to a preauthorized debit of the amount advanced, plus any expedited funding fee and/or tips. Though users technically can revoke this ACH authorization, the fact that they have this right isn’t presented to users during the Cash Out process, but rather is included in linked terms and conditions few users are likely to actually read. And users who do wish to revoke their ACH authorization must do so three or more days before the scheduled transaction date by emailing EarnIn’s customer support. Similarly, EarnIn’s marketing claims that it carries “no interest” and “no mandatory fees” is technically true, but is not the reality for many of the app’s users, the Colorado complaint argues. Further, EarnIn has extensively marketed to users the ability to “access your pay today,” to get “instant” funds, and to get funds “the same day you work” — when, in reality, this speed of access was only possible by paying the additional, undisclosed Lightning Speed fee. The Colorado complaint highlights this contradiction specifically, noting: EarnIn tells consumers that they can ‘Make any day payday with EarnIn’ and that there no ‘hidden’ or ‘mandatory fees.’ For a consumer to access their pay on the same day requested, they would have to pay the Lightning Speed fee. In the fine print of the advertisement EarnIn discloses that ‘[f]ees apply to use Lightning Speed,’ a direct contradiction to the larger text of the advertisement, and a fact that would not be immediately understood by a consumer as ‘Lightning Speed’ is not defined nor explained. Like other small-dollar lending services, rather than explicitly charge interest, EarnIn collects a markup on the optional Lighting Speed fee, which, given the nature of the transactions, many users opt for, as well as offering users the option to leave “tips.” EarnIn leverages either Real-Time Payments (RTP) rails or push-to-card via debit rails if a user opts for the optional Lightning Speed. But while these capabilities cost EarnIn, on average, $0.075 or $0.20 per transaction, respectively, EarnIn charges users significantly more. Initially, EarnIn charged as little as $1.99 for Cash Outs up to $24. But EarnIn has hiked these fees multiple times, and now charges $4.99 for Cash Outs up to $75 and $6.99 for those over $75. According to the Colorado complaint, EarnIn leverages “dark patterns” to manipulate users and to make it more difficult to avoid tipping. Examples of these “road blocks” highlighted in the complaint include: As of 2023, in the EarnIn app, a consumer attempting to get a loan under the default settings had to make at least eighteen separate taps to complete the transaction and reduce the tip to $0. There is an alternative method to leave a $0 tip, via the “Custom tip” feature, but EarnIn made this option difficult to access by visually deemphasizing it and positioning it near devices’ “home” button. Using language and imagery such as “Tip to pay it forward,” “Your generosity supports the service + helps,” “Your tips make a difference,” and “[t]he APR for this cash out is 0%. Your tips help support us.” While Lightning Speed and tipping are, in theory, both optional, in practice, users nearly always ended up paying something. According to the Colorado suit, users were charged either a tip or an expedite fee for more than 92% of transactions, with an average APR of nearly 388%. And, although the advances are “non-recourse,” EarnIn successfully collects on nearly all transactions — 99.18%, according to the complaint, which, Colorado argues, “demonstrat[es] that EarnIn’s advances function as high cost loans, not voluntary payments.” The share of EarnIn users incurring fees — despite the product being marketed as 0% APR — is hard to reconcile with Andreessen investor Rampell’s favorable description of EarnIn vs. “opaque systems and steep fees” associated with payday loans, which, Rampell says, can be “extremely difficult” for borrowers to extricate themselves from. According to Colorado’s suit, EarnIn’s Cash Out product “trapped many consumers in extreme cycles of high-cost reborrowing.” The suit gives an example of one consumer in the state, who took out a whopping 1,151 loans, paying a total of $4,038.50 in Lightning Speed expedited funding fees on loans that averaged the equivalent of 1,421% APR. Another Colorado user, the suit says, took out 1,033 loans, paying $8,561.22 in tips and fees at an average APR of 1,539% . These types of usage patterns demonstrate “the severe and repeated financial harm caused by EarnIn’s illegal lending model,” the Colorado complaint argues. In aggregate, from January 2023 through July 2025, EarnIn extended 3.1 million loans to 56,778 users in Colorado — an average of nearly 55 transactions per person during the time period. EarnIn lent more than $300 million and collected more than $16 million from Colorado users in Lightning Speed fees and in tips. Ultimately, the Colorado complaint argues that “EarnIn’s Cash Outs are loans under Colorado law, and EarnIn’s contention that its product is not a loan based on its disclaimer of any legal repayment obligation lacks any real-world significance given how the Cash Out transactions actually operate in practice.” Colorado further argues that “EarnIn was not working with companies here in providing consumers with funds but acted as a third-party lender and charged illegally high rates, used deceptive design strategies to extract some charges, and trapped consumers in repeat borrowing. Colorado will continue to stand up for consumers and hold companies accountable when they violate our credit laws or attempt to evade them through misleading practices.” Colorado’s suit alleges EarnIn assesses finance charge in excess of that permitted by Colorado law, that EarnIn failed to make legally required disclosures to Colorado borrowers, that EarnIn made supervised loans to consumers without obtaining the requisite license, that EarnIn violated the state’s Deferred Deposit Loan Act, that EarnIn engage in unfair and deceptive trade practices, and that EarnIn made false or misleading statements concerning price. The suit seeks a court order enjoining EarnIn from violating relevant Colorado laws, for EarnIn to refund amounts charged in excess of state law, fees, costs, and penalties, and other relief the court deems to be just. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Q2 Quarterly Banking Profile: Five Quick Takeaways The FDIC released its quarterly banking profile, which is always worth a read, for the second quarter. The profile provides an aggregate snapshot about the overall health of the 4,238 institutions whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, who, collectively, hold more than $26 trillion in assets and saw a total net income of more than $90 billion in the second quarter. Net income was up 12% vs. Q1 2026, with lower provisions and realized gains on securities helping to drive the improvement, somewhat offset by increases in non-interest expense and applicable income taxes. Overall net interest margin was basically flat quarter over quarter (up 1 basis point vs. Q1 2026), though community banks saw NIM grow by 10 basis points, to 3.81%. Unsurprisingly, given that interest rates haven’t changed, unrealized losses on securities changed little, edging up slightly to $326.7 billion vs. $325.1 billion in Q1 2026. Aggregate credit quality has remained benign, with asset quality actually improving slightly in Q2. Overall, institutions reported a 9 basis point decline in their past-due and non-accrual rate, to 1.44%. Net charge off rate also declined by 2 basis points, to 0.57%. And finally, the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund stands at $161.1 billion, making the DIF reserve ratio 1.48% — above the statutory minimum of 1.35%, but still below the designated target reserve ratio of 2%. [Paid Subscriber Exclusive] Nissan Withdraws ILC App, State Associations Plan BankChain Alliance, FDIC Defines “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” For First Time Automaker Nissan withdrew its application to charter a Utah industrial loan company and its corresponding application to the FDIC for deposit insurance last week, on August 19th. Nissan’s application had been outstanding for more than a year, as it originally applied in June 2025. Recent applications to the OCC to form national banks have been decisioned, one way or the other, substantially more quickly than has historically been the case.
Research projects in the Pacific Northwest’s experimental forests face funding uncertainty
A reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service and threats to federal funding could affect ongoing research in the Pacific Northwest.
Flooding devastated swathes of Indiana but response is hampered by politics
Record inundations wrecked homes and took seven lives but Trump has not approved emergency aid and the state has cut funds for environmental agencies
HEPA air purifiers may boost brain function after just one month
Adults aged 40 and older performed about 12% faster on a test of executive function after using a HEPA air purifier at home for one month. The findings suggest that cleaner indoor air could offer a simple way to help protect the brain from the effects of traffic-related pollution.
State’s Broadband Buildout Accelerates
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Harvest Management LLC Takes Position in Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $CZR
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In 1990, the northern spotted owl became a symbol of America’s logging wars; 36 years later, scientists say it is already functionally extinct across large swaths of its range
In 1990, a small bird became an unlikely symbol of one of America’s fiercest environmental battles. The northern spotted owl was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, putting the future of vast stretches of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest at the centre of a bitter fight between environmentalists and the logging industry.
Late payments threaten business license of Chicago body removal contractor
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334,932 Shares in Six Flags Entertainment Corporation $FUN Bought by Man Group plc
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California's new attempt to help struggling newsrooms faces key test
A new plan by California lawmakers to help fund the state's struggling journalism organizations could advance in the coming days but faces an uncertain future. Assembly Bill 2222 would create
Disney adds fun to Let's Play Sport Clinic in Fresno
ABC30 VoluntEARS, along with Disney, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, Fresno State and High Performance Academy, teamed up to make a memorable morning.
Olivia Rodrigo's festival is uniting women and girls behind nonprofits promoting their well-being
Olivia Rodrigo is fundraising for women's well-being with a benefit show geared toward her young audience. The Daisy Chain Fields festival boasts a lineup that includes Chappell Roan, Doechii and...
State probing two grants to American Arab chamber after money goes missing
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“Zombie” Cells Reveal a Surprising New Driver of Chronic Inflammation
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WHO releases US$150 000 emergency funds to support Nepal’s flood response
The World Health Organization has released US$150 000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to support urgent health and other needs of the communities impacted by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, one of the worst tragedies in the country in recent times. “The emergency funds will support immediate response priorities. WHO is committed to supporting Nepal through the response and recovery efforts,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. Earlier, within hours of the flash floods on 26 August, WHO mobilized and dispatched essential emergency medical supplies, including an Interagency Emergency Health Kit that can cater to the health needs of nearly 10 000 people for 3 months, along with multipurpose tents.
Former Edmonton mayor lobbying for Oilers Entertainment Group
OEG seeking funding from federal housing ministry, DND for Village at Ice District housing
Gov. Abbott blocks funding in Texas for Flock cameras as bipartisan fury brews
The automated license plate readers aren’t popular with the public. Politicians are catching on.
Ala. health system opens operations center with plans for up to 250 jobs
Huntsville Hospital Health System and Marshall Medical Centers opened a 32,000-square-foot operations hub in Arab to support scheduling, billing, customer service and other health care functions
Therapy Has a Relationship Problem
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Arts and entertainment calendar
Events coming up in the Greenville area offer music, arts, theater and family fun. Here is a sampling.
Empowered Funds LLC Buys Shares of 586,714 PENN Entertainment, Inc. $PENN
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Blakeman says Lake America is 'fun' as other NY pols push back
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Colorado Avalanche sign Cale Makar to largest contract in NHL history
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Business networking event connects professionals
Event designed to make networking more relaxed, fun.
Small Business Energy Opportunity Hearing Scheduled September 2
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Oglethorpe business dean: The real challenge isn't tariffs. It's uncertainty.
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Why Alphabet (GOOGL) Is Proving AI Can Strengthen Its Search Business
Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its “Value Equity Fund” Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while […]
DPSCD board addresses funding gaps between sports teams
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Clinton Art and Music Festival Returns on Saturday
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Dolly Parton wanted a quiet funeral for her final send-off. But left a few surprises for years to come.
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Auto review: 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X offers function over flash
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Things to Do in Asheville This September: Classes, Sports, and Special Events
The final days of summer fun mix with the crisp air of fall as Asheville Parks & Recreation brings a September welcome mat to the community full of activities built to help explore, connect, and discover. Whether your goal is to make a change like leaves on trees throughout the city, meet new people, or [...]
Family-friendly fun, outdoor adventures and live entertainment: Weekend events across mid-Michigan
Whether you're looking for educational programs, outdoor experiences or evening entertainment, communities throughout Bay, Saginaw, Midland and Isabella counties are hosting events throughout the weekend.
Towson business shuts down for evening after large crowd gathers nearby
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Oklahoma officials outline progress on Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives
The update comes as Oklahoma prepares to enter the second budget period of a five-year federal funding opportunity meant to transform rural health.
Emory’s Jane Chung receives American Nurses Foundation award for work with older adults in tech-supported health management
Associate professor Jane Chung the recipient of the 2026-28 Collaborative Alliance Nursing Outcomes Research Fund, supporting her work helping older adults with mild cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions manage their health at home.
Va. officials announce disbursement of $122 million in Rural Health Transformation Fund awards
The money is meant to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies and strengthen the industry’s workforce in rural areas.
Prices are rising on entertainment, but families say budgeting for fun is non-negotiable
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Businesses are getting tariff refunds. Why aren't consumers getting their cut?
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Black business owners win funding through Kickstarter Program
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Rockin’ for Bay concert benefits sports program
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Tampa approves $80 million in funding for Tampa Bay Rays ballpark
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US aid cuts threaten Ghana’s child immunisation gains
Ghana faces a $78.2m health funding shortfall as aid cuts put immunisation gains at risk.
Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins
Every one of 212 plant-based meat alternatives and drinks tested in the UK contained at least one naturally occurring fungal toxin, though concentrations remained below recommended EU guideline levels. Researchers say the bigger question is whether regularly eating large amounts of these foods could lead to potentially concerning cumulative exposure over time.
Business, government leaders reach deal to nix highway-funding initiative, dedicate billions to roads in other ways
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Arkansas Awards $149.3M in Rural Health Transformation Grants
Arkansas awarded $149.3 million in rural health grants to 50 projects after healthcare providers submitted more than 500 proposals for funding.