SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " 300 " 8,055 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Nearby business owner describes damage, calls for safety answers after explosion
A business owner near the site of an explosion says the force of the blast damaged his building, shut down operations for a day and raised concerns about the sa
Nearby business owner describes damage, calls for safety answers after explosion
A business owner near the site of an explosion says the force of the blast damaged his building, shut down operations for a day and raised concerns about the sa
New Colts WR Keenan Allen arrested for DUI after preseason debut
After catching one pass in Colts' loss to Lions, veteran WR Keenan Allen was arrested on two preliminary DUI charges early Sunday morning.
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.
Braves Former Slugger Joins Yankees After Sudden Cut
The Atlanta Braves got a surprising update as a former everyday outfielder signed with the New York Yankees.
How a comic book store got swept into the tariff storm
Tariffs continue to rile all kinds of American businesses more than a year after Trump unveiled his first set of tariffs — including a comic book store owner in Ohio.
A Mortgage Servicer Sent a Letter About an Address Change. Was It Deed Theft?
A letter arrived in the mail from PNC Bank about an address change on a mortgage account. Was a deed theft scheme in process?
Ed Markey Defends Transgender Athletes in Massachusetts Senate Race
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has emerged as a vocal defender of transgender rights as he tries to fend off a primary challenge from Representative Seth Moulton.
Trump administration deports relative of Afghans who helped US military to Central African Republic
His family in Afghanistan had received threats from the Taliban because of the work performed by his brothers in support of the U.S. military.
Pols & Politics: Healey’s ratings slump again in latest poll, still favored for reelection
A trend of unsatisfactory approval ratings continues for Gov. Maura Healey in a poll released just days before the September primary, as former Boston Police Commissioners are honored in Quincy.
David M. Shribman: Politics fuels a push for separatism in Canada
CALGARY — A wildfire is sweeping the western Canadian province of Alberta. It’s not the one you are thinking of. And a Canadian province...
How did nine children die in a 1991 Pennsylvania measles outbreak?
Several years ago, vaccine expert Paul Offit gave a speech to medical staff at a pediatric hospital, saying some parents choose not to immunize their children...
“2003 Patriots Performance”: Fans React as Bill Belichick Pulls Off an Upset Against TCU in Overseas Classic
Bill Belichick’s second season at North Carolina could not have started any better. The Tar Heels opened their 2026 season with a 15-10 victory over TCU, giving the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach one of the biggest wins of his brief college tenure so far.
‘Brewbeque’ to debut at RiverPark Center with drinks, barbecue, live entertainment
A new fall event combining craft beer, bourbon, barbecue, food trucks, and live entertainment is coming to downtown Owensboro this October, with a portion of the proceeds supporting arts opportunities for area students.
Broncos Expected to Add ‘Intriguing’ Former Raiders Pass Rusher
The Denver Broncos are taking on David Agoha, adding the former Las Vegas Raiders prospect, once their roster is finalized. The post Broncos Expected to Add ‘Intriguing’ Former Raiders Pass Rusher appeared first on HEAVY.
Jaguars get backup QB Quinn Ewers from Dolphins in exchange for 2028 6th-rounder
The Jaguars acquired QB Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft, pending a physical, the team said today.
Reactions: “That was a perfect first half”
(in the mixed zone): “The first half was spectacular, the second was a lot of hard work. But over the course of the whole game, you could clearly see the commitment and the determination. In the fir...
Steelers trading Broderick Jones to Cowboys, reports say
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading a former first-round draft pick, according to reports.
Seattle Seahawks Trevon Diggs’ Role Emerges After Preseason Finale
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs seemingly entered into a conversation for a starting role after his performance in Friday’s NFL Preseason Finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. Diggs signed a one-year contract for the minimum salary with the Seattle Seahawks a few weeks ago. He originally appeared as a depth option while the Seahawks await […] The post Seattle Seahawks Trevon Diggs’ Role Emerges After Preseason Finale appeared first on HEAVY.
How Investors Are Reacting To Tencent Music (TME) Partnering With SM Entertainment On New China JV
In August 2026, SM Entertainment announced a new joint venture with Tencent Music Entertainment Group called STE, which will focus on launching a Chinese idol group within two to three years and managing promotions for SM’s Greater China artists. This partnership links Tencent Music’s local market reach with SM’s artist IP, potentially strengthening Tencent Music’s role in China’s evolving fan-centric music ecosystem. Next, we’ll examine how this SM-Tencent Music joint venture, especially...
Hayden Panettiere's best show is leaving Netflix soon: Here are Juliette Barnes' best scenes
Nashville is leaving Netflix soon. Be sure to watch Juliette Barnes Emotional Performances and Musical Acts soon.
5 takeaways from Broncos’ 3 preseason games
The Denver Broncos had a productive preseason and have answered a lot of questions.
Opinion | Democrats Have an Identity Politics Problem. Just Not the One You Think.
Instead of rallying around their candidates, Democrats are falling out among themselves.
Camden County native to compete in upcoming season of 'Survivor'
Gloucester City native Aalyiah Puglia competes in the upcoming season of "Survivor."
Yankees' win against Boston was big in so many ways
Toi start the final regular season meeting between MLB's ancient rivals, the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 1-0, on Friday night in the Bronx.
Canada fights back in US trade war, targeting specific states
Canadian officials say they aim for 'political pressure' on US officials with retaliatory tariffs on imports.
It's Your Business has Scott A. Paxton, Larry Bork and Susan L. Mauch
News about the latest hires, retirements and more in the Topeka area.
In Georgia, Jon Ossoff Courts Broad Appeal With an Anti-Trump Script for Senate Race
Senator Jon Ossoff, the youngest sitting senator and the only Democrat seeking re-election this year in a state President Trump won in 2024, hasn’t moderated his message in his critical race.
Empowered Funds LLC Buys Shares of 586,714 PENN Entertainment, Inc. $PENN
Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 586,714 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,532,0
James Harrison Blasts Steelers Projected Starter Before Roster Cuts
Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison ripped the team's projected starting right tackle Dylan Cook. The post James Harrison Blasts Steelers Projected Starter Before Roster Cuts appeared first on HEAVY.
Senator Marshall, Stormont Vail Health discuss rural healthcare transformations
Senator Roger Marshall met with leaders at Stormont Vail Health to discuss ways to improve rural healthcare.
Dental Health Associates of Madison
Advancing Healthy Smiles for Generations of Local Families
Product and advertising are vital for POD success
Print-on-demand success takes more than low startup costs. A reliable partner such as Printful, and paid advertising help POD stores compete.
A temporary COVID-era subsidy helped Americans afford health care. Then it vanished
Congress let enhanced ACA subsidies expire after months of political gridlock. Millions now face premiums they can no longer afford
A million Americans dropped health coverage. Now everyone else is paying for it
Health insurance costs keep rising as healthier customers exit the marketplace. A decades-old collapse pattern is repeating in real time
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), Why Is It Getting Fresh Attention?
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) is back in focus after forming STE, a joint venture with South Korea's SM Entertainment, to target the Greater China music market and develop a new Chinese idol group. For Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the share price has fallen 9.03% over the past 30 days and is down 51.51% year to date, while the 1 year total shareholder return has declined 64.32%. However, the 3 year total shareholder return of 33.04% points to longer term momentum that...
Giants WR Malachi Fields' fantasy stock is rising
The latest on Giants WR Malachi Fields.
Nepal Floods Took Away His Home, Business. At 71, He Is Left With Just Debt
Govind Prasad Dahal is one of the thousands of people who lost their homes and businesses in the Nepal flash floods.
Keshad Johnson Is Back For Another Go With Miami Heat
The Miami Heat announced the signing of forward Keshad Johnson
Accessible tech helps small businesses overcome costs, labor gaps, and entry barriers
Accessible technology helps small businesses lower startup costs, simplify training, address labor gaps, and expand into new technical services.
Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
This month’s options include an adaptation of an early Stephen King novel, jungle dinosaur battles and atmospheric thrillers.
IAFF launches new Resource Library for health and safety
The IAFF has launched a new Resource Library, a single online hub for nearly 300 – and counting – health and safety resources for fire fighters and emergency
An Experimental Single-Time Treatment Slashed Cholesterol for a Year
A small gene-editing study significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels, and the results have stuck a year later.
"Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026" Opens Today
AI Unlocks the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, Reshaping Digital Entertainment and Smart Living Experiences
Celebrity impersonators gather in Orlando for Sunburst Convention Sept. 25-27
The Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Impersonators returns to Orlando this September for a three-day gathering.
BitGo is buying NYDIG's institutional trading business as crypto rebounds
The deal adds derivatives, structured products, and financing capabilities to BitGo's custody and settlement platform
Crush It! in Grapevine unveils rebrand and future plans
Owner Mike Speets completed a $2 million expansion of the Grapevine entertainment hub, which is rebranding to Crush It! Social ahead of a 2027 refresh.
Trump's Labor Department is reviving a push to expand health insurance access for gig workers
The agency has sent a draft rule to the White House that would broaden how associations can offer coverage to self-employed workers and small businesses
Fantasy football rankings: Top 300 PPR overall players for 2026
Chet Gresham gives you his 2026 overall PPR rankings for 2026 fantasy football
City Watch Coffee owner detained by ICE, faces deportation to Cambodia
Ratha San, co-owner of the popular City Watch Coffee, faces deportation by ICE. His wife shares the impact it's having on his family and the business.
Prices are rising on entertainment, but families say budgeting for fun is non-negotiable
Economists say inflation has cooled from its peak, but the cost of entertainment is still reshaping how families spend.
Wyoming Governor Objects to ‘Very Odd’ D.O.J. Election Monitoring
Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, said he was concerned by the behavior of election observers who visited a polling station in Cheyenne.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Edges Toward Positive Free Cash Flow Is Its Debt Strategy Reframing the Story?
Earlier this week, AMC Entertainment Holdings said it is edging closer to sustained positive free cash flow, estimating it needs an industrywide domestic box office of about US$10.40 billion to reach that goal, helped by record adjusted EBITDA, stronger per-patron profitability, and lower interest costs. An important angle is that AMC’s recent refinancing and debt-repayment efforts are expected to cut annual cash interest expense, meaning the box-office level required to support ongoing...
Norway awaits news on health of 89-year-old King Harald
Norway on Friday awaited news from the royal palace on the health of King Harald, the 89-year-old monarch who has been hospitalised for more than 10 days and who was said on Thursday to be in a very serious condition.
Bizarre Fossil Turns Out to Be a 24-Legged Insect Science Somehow Missed
A huge evolutionary puzzle piece just landed in our laps.
Steelers QB Will Howard being evaluated for injury
Steelers QB Will Howard suffered injury vs. Bills.
Bills edge out Steelers, 28-27, in preseason finale
The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Buffalo Bills, 28-27, in the preseason finale. The Steelers finished the preseason with a 1-2 record.
Lake Ontario Didn’t Ask for Trump to Rename It
There is a U.S.-led war in the Middle East and the midterm elections on the horizon, but President Trump’s latest priority seems to be “Making The Great Lakes Even Greater.”
Trump Plans to Mark 9/11 at the Pentagon, Not Ground Zero
President Trump originally intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with remarks at ground zero, but the memorial’s organizers do not allow speeches. Mr. Trump changed his plans.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Texas ranchers voice concerns with Trump's beef import plan
President Trump announced that the U.S. will allow imports of up to 300,000 tons of ground beef without out-of-quota tariffs.
Trump Administration Will Appeal Harvard Antisemitism Case
A federal judge earlier ruled against Trump officials in a lawsuit accusing the university of allowing persistent antisemitism on campus.
Caesars sets shareholder meeting for Fertitta Entertainment buyout vote
Caesars Entertainment has scheduled a meeting for next month for shareholders to vote on Fertitta Entertainment's $17.6 billion buyout offer.
Progressives Condemn Pick of Pro-Israel Democrat Atop House Panel
Outrage over making Representative Jared Moskowitz, who is vocally pro-Israel, the top Democrat on a Middle East policy subcommittee reflected the party’s rift over Israel.
High School Sports in the Heat
High temperatures and new safety rules are transforming practice as a new school year begins.
GTA 6 Playthrough Can Last Roughly 80 Hours
Rockstar North's Rob Nelson says his own playthrough of the game lasted dozens of hours.
In Trump’s Washington, Ballooning National Debt Stirs Little Action
The relative indifference to the news that the U.S. government now owes $40 trillion demonstrates how drastically the politics of deficit spending has changed.
Grand Theft Auto VI Has a New Trailer and Grand Ambitions
Of course you can steal cars in this Bonnie and Clyde story. In the series’s first game in 13 years, you can do almost anything else, too.
Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 26H2 as a release preview, shares how to download
Microsoft has published its latest build, 26300.9278, today, and with this, it has released Windows 11 version 26H2 to Release Preview.
NFL, NFLPA agree to tougher discipline for player safety violations
The NFL and NFLPA have introduced tougher discipline for five player safety violations, including a one-game suspension after three offenses
Anti-ageing pills are real, and some of us are taking them without knowing it
Eternal youth is the stuff of religion and mythology, but what if we could just have a bit more of it? What if there was a pill that could slow down the ravages of time, so that you could feel younger for longer. It sounds like snake oil, but there’s a growing body of research that’s betting on making it a reality.
The leadership lessons found in Dolly Parton, the businesswoman
From Dollywood to Cup of Ambition, see how Dolly Parton used authentic branding and creative control to build a business empire.
Why Giving Back Is Becoming Part of Agents’ Business Plans
Real estate pros keep investing in their communities, volunteering, fundraising and supporting local causes despite a slower housing market.
Lunar eclipse watch party set for Chabot Space & Science Center
(BCN) — Bay Area residents will have a chance to watch a partial lunar eclipse Thursday night, weather permitting, at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. The center will start h…
Lucky Strike Entertainment (LUCK) Reports Q4 Loss, Misses Revenue Estimates
Lucky Strike Entertainment (LUCK) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -300.00% and -2.81%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 2026. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?
Mars rovers give scientists a ground-level view of the red planet – peek inside their NASA control room
Each day in the control room of the Curiosity rover is jam-packed with important scientific decisions, as a NASA project scientist describes.
Rwandans love their milk bars. The health minister wishes they'd drink a little less
A big glass of moo juice — no, make that several glasses a day — is common in Rwanda. Is that too much of a good thing?
The obscure documentary fueling Islamophobia in Texas
A documentary warns about a coming cultural conflict with Muslims in the US. It’s had surprising political influence.
Trump’s Strength in Primaries is Clear. The Midterms Pose a Different Test.
The president’s pull with the party base has been clear and his resources are vast. But his low approval ratings make him a liability with swing voters.
Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why.
Even the most adept researchers may not know exactly what they do to get successful results. An A.I. model is trying to figure it out by watching every move.
How Scientific Is the Science-Fiction of ‘Dark Matter’?
Ahead of the Season 2 premiere, the writer, a physicist by training, asked around. The answer? It’s complicated.
Cowboys news: Brian Schottenheimer reveals underrated Caleb Downs trait
Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs has a big opportunity to turn heads in his rookie season, as he looks to prove that he can be a difference-maker at the next level after a standout career at Ohio State. Downs has the pedigree to command attention , and his maiden stint will offer an early glimpse of his versatility and athleticism, two attributes […] The post Cowboys news: Brian Schottenheimer reveals underrated Caleb Downs trait appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Hot rods, custom cars and live entertainment set for QC Nationals weekend
The NSRA Quad Cities Street Rod Nationals return Aug. 28–29 to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds with two days of classic cars, custom builds, live entertainment, contests and family activities for automotive fans.
Automakers enter energy storage business as data centers face backlash
Concerns related to the environment, energy demands and the impact of AI's expansion fuel the pushback.
Browns Rookie Filled With Emotion Ahead of Huge Personal Milestone
The quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders has mostly been the story to follow in the offseason on the side of the Cleveland Browns. That is now settled, with Cleveland deciding to go with Watson over Sanders, at least for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But Cleveland’s […] The post Browns Rookie Filled With Emotion Ahead of Huge Personal Milestone appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
In this red state, cattle ranchers are fuming. They blame Trump.
Some cattle ranchers in Montana are sounding off on President Trump's decision to import 300K metric tons of foreign beef.
Prudential posts 8% rise in first-half new business profit, expands share buyback
Insurer Prudential , reported first-half new business profit largely in line with market expectations on Thursday, driven by strong growth in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and expanded its ongoing share repurchase program by $300 million.
Steelers Afternoon Drive: JPJ Negotiations Showing Steelers Stuck in Past?
Welcome to the Steelers Afternoon Drive, our new daily podcast featuring all the latest Steelers news and analysis. Alan Saunders […] The post Steelers Afternoon Drive: JPJ Negotiations Showing Steelers Stuck in Past? appeared first on Steelers Now.
Mamdani Persuades C.E.O.s to Join His Business Advisory Council
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has struggled to win over Wall Street, intends to use the council to help him invigorate New York City’s economy.
Mariners Announce Cole Young Decision Before Phillies Finale
For only the second time this season, second baseman Cole Young is not in the Seattle Mariners lineup. Instead, the Mariners will start J.P. Crawford at shortstop and Brock Rodden at second base against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cole Young might be getting a day off. https://t.co/WpCvbB70Z6 — Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) August 26, 2026 Young, 23, […] The post Mariners Announce Cole Young Decision Before Phillies Finale appeared first on HEAVY.
ENTERTAINMENT: Stone-skipping, ‘Seersucker Soiree’ on the calendar
The annual Great Southern Stone Skipping Championships take place for the first time on the banks of the Arkansas River, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the boat launch in Little Rock’s Murray Park.
New Twitter launches, says Musk's X gave up the name
Judge hasn't ruled on X Corp’s preliminary injunction, but Operation Bluebird plows ahead...
How Darline Graham’s Politics Compare With Her Brother’s as She Runs for Senate
Senator Darline Graham has spoken far more about her desire to support President Trump’s agenda than she has talked about her brother’s political goals — or her own.
5 potential trade candidates for the Dallas Cowboys
Do you think the Cowboys have any trade candidates on their team to move?
Roy Price Is Now Betting on User-Generated Microdramas
The veteran executive has returned to entertainment with a company that allows users to collaborate on and upload their own microdramas.
Georgia Tech football’s Brent Key enjoys transfer portal ‘inexact science’
With the transfer portal one of the most criticized parts of college football, Georgia Tech football coach Brent Key speaks positively about building a roster through it.
What the Patriots saw in trade acquisition Jaylen Reed
The Patriots acquired Reed for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Bill Gates Says AI Needs A Transition Plan. Business Doesn't Have One Either.
Bill Gates's new essay urges urgent global deliberation on AI, predicting a turbulent era where policy choices now will determine if it becomes an equalizer or a source of injustice.