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U.K. Box Office Back to Full Health — But What Lessons Do We Learn?
Will the IMAX hype hold? Why does A24 deserve credit? Cinema programmers at three major theatrical players put their heads together and agree on the audience appetite for filmmakers with original stories.
Design open science to be equitable, policymakers urged
Independent report for European Commission calls for “infradiversity” across infrastructures
Nonprofit launches maternal health data tool
The Maternal Resiliency Index is designed to help policy makers.
Guest column: Bringing health care concerns directly to policymakers
Mountain Family Health Centers hosted a roundtable discussion Sept. 27 with attendees holding tremendous influence over our health care system. Those who joined the discussion were Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet...
NFL Coaches Discuss Minnesota Vikings Signing Odell Beckham Jr
Desperate to spark a stagnant offense, Minnesota adds the veteran playmaker to bolster a struggling receiving corps and provide relief for an ailing Justin Jefferson.
Pentagon plan to livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter prompts fierce political backlash
The move has been branded as ‘disturbing’ and compared to the actions of terror groups by US lawmakers
Leavell College announces new degree pathway including Bachelor of Science degree
NEW ORLEANS — Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is announcing a new degree pathway that includes a brand-new Bachelor of Science degree and a new major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Korean cosmetics stocks surge as K-pop entertainment shares fall
Cosmetics makers led gains on the Korea Exchange, while K-pop and content companies suffered the market's sharpest industry decline.
Memphis People in Business for Oct. 8, 2026
A look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene
Skill game crackdown: Lawmakers try again, business group joins push for more time
Harrisburg, Pa. — The fight to keep skill games plugged in past next week isn't over yet.
Skill game crackdown: Lawmakers try again, business group joins push for more time
Harrisburg, Pa. — The fight to keep skill games plugged in past next week isn't over yet.
MBA Research Ranking: The Most Influential Business Schools
The Financial Times assesses MBA programs in academic research when it comes to reaching and influencing policy makers and practitioners.
Erie County lawmakers approve small business bill, pass resolution
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County lawmakers on Thursday voted to approve the Small Business Utilization Act and passed a resolution that calls for reimbursement from New York State. County L…
U.S. Lawmakers Launch Sexual Abuse Probe of Youth Sports Giant AAU
Bipartisan leadership of a powerful House committee demanded answers from the Amateur Athletic Union after a ProPublica and Washington Post investigation found that the massive youth sports organization has failed to protect kids from sexual abuse.
Nana Patekar dead: Indian 'Krantiveer' actor-filmmaker was 75
Nana Patekar, an acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker, died Thursday at his home in the western state of Goa. He was 75.
Louisiana Activists Draw Links Between Petrochemical, Climate Harm to Maternal Health
Louisiana feminist activists came together on October 2 at the annual Black Birth Matters conference to demand that policy makers consider how toxic air pollution and other environmental damage negatively impact reproductive health.
Images: Science Square's latest jobs hub arrives on Westside
One of the world’s leading battery makers officially cut the ribbon this week on a $56-million, jobs-producing investment into research and development at the cusp of Georgia Tech.Spread across four stories where English Avenue meets Midtown, Duracell’s Global Innovation Center for Research and Development marks a key addition for Science Square, an 18-acre, mixed-use district expected to produce 500 homes, retail, and nearly 2 million square feet of lab and office space across multiple phases.
Atrium Health’s plan contested by state treasurer for legality
(The Center Square) – Nearly 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, lawmakers active and retired, and members of higher education on Tuesday learned Atrium Health’s Affordability Protection Program would help provide
Xbox Announces New XP Entertainment Division to Make Movies, TV, and More
Xbox has announced a new TV, movies, and entertainment division called XP. It will be headed up by Kayleen Walters, a Lucasfilm veteran who moves over from her most recent post at Minecraft maker Mojang, for whom she was president – and also served as an executive producer on last year's A Minecraft Movie.
Open science is compatible with research security, says Canada’s chief science advisor
Open science is “not incompatible” with research security and science leaders and policymakers should “demystify” the false dichotomy between the two, according to Mona Nemer, Canada’s chief science advisor. More than a decade ago, EU policymakers were promoting open science, open innovation and open collaboration across the world. It was a political movement that aimed to make scientific research, data, software, publications and methodologies transparent, accessible and reusable for everyone.But that rhetoric has changed over the past few years. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Donald Trump came back to power in 2025, international partnerships have become more pragmatic. Countries are trying to implement protectionist policies and governments are increasingly worried about technology espionage. According to Nemer, science can remain open if the sector can come up with improved security protocols that would protect research data from undue manipulation by foreign actors. “If anybody can fiddle with the with the data, then [open science] is actually quite dangerous and quite useless,” she told Science|Business. Universities and research institutions are increasingly vulnerable to attempted espionage and other types of foreign interference. In September, the UK’s domestic counter-intelligence service MI5 issued a security warning against collaborations with the China General Technology Research Institute. And earlier this year, Germany’s Helmholtz Center for Information Security was criticised by federal research minister Dorothee Bär, who told a parliamentary hearing that “existing rules and systems” at the institute “were not suitable” for preventing leaks to China. According to Nemer, universities and research institutions should perhaps follow the example of the private sector, as companies have been able to safeguard their research while still publishing results. “I think that there is a level of research security hygiene that researchers and institutions need to just adopt,” she said. “You don't have to tell Sanofi or IBM how to safeguard their research, which they end up publishing anyway.”While certain areas of research will not be open for collaboration with certain partners, in other areas cooperation is necessary even with researchers based in adversarial countries. “I stress this because politics change,” she said. “Science and politics don't make for good fellows, and whether we like it or not, politics will influence certain things.”Researchers will play an important role in “protecting the integrity of science,” said Nemer. “I think that it's time that there's a commitment to a certain scientific compact, so that citizens don't think that science is actually an open door for espionage and for anti-nationalism.”New partnershipsNemer spoke with Science|Business on the margins of the Hamburg Science Summit on September 17, the day when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for increased cooperation with the EU, including in science and technology. Canada is looking to strengthen ties with partners in other corners of the world, after the Trump administration threatened to put tariffs on Canadian goods and services and even openly suggested Canada could become the 51st state. In parallel, the US government has indicated it wants to retreat from international science projects, including US collaboration with Europe’s CERN particle accelerator and other big science labs.Related articlesThe stats we need to better understand R&DCanada looks to deepen research and education links with the EUCan researchers trust that AI models won’t leak their ideas?Nemer said the US is still a science “powerhouse,” but Canada and Europe will have to work closely together on global challenges. “It’s important for both [sides], but I think it's also important for the rest of the world, because the cut in funding for development, in health, in regions like Africa and other places, have dramatic effects.” The Trump administration is also planning a review of the Nelson memo, a Biden-era document that mandated that results of federally funded research would be openly available. With that idea being called into question, Nemer said it could be “very disruptive” to scientific collaborations and could jeopardise research on climate change, the Arctic and global health. “When your collaborator suddenly tells you I'm not going to share the data with you as a researcher, if this happens, I think it's very worrisome,” she said. “I'm certainly hoping that a lot of the Canadian institutions, funders, researchers, have started looking at joining forces on databases and using more European research infrastructures,” Nemer added.
How scary is 'Carrie'? Critics are divided over Mike Flanagan's new Stephen King series.
The filmmaker behind "Midnight Mass" puts a modern spin on King's classic, but not everyone is convinced it delivers the chills.
AI tool plays matchmaker between Mass. businesses and contracts
A Cambridge-based lab developed a tool to connect Black-owned businesses to beds.
The Math Singularity Is Here, and Science May Be Next
OpenAI has released an extraordinary body of mathematical work produced by an unreleased frontier model: 722 manuscripts spanning 372 research families across fields including number theory, complexity theory, and mathematical physics. Each result required, on average, the equivalent of roughly three hours of ChatGPT Pro reasoning. A New Era of Discovery We may be witnessing the beginnings of a “math singularity”: a point at which machine-generated discovery accelerates beyond humanity’s ability to independently reproduce, verify, or fully absorb it. If frontier models can generate hundreds of meaningful results in the time it takes a human researcher to investigate one, the constraint will no longer be producing new mathematics. It will be our capacity to validate, interpret, and integrate it. This does not make mathematicians obsolete. It changes their role. They may increasingly serve as guides, critics, and meaning-makers. Increasingly, they will decide which questions matter, determining which results can be trusted, and explaining why they are important. Mathematical insight may become abundant, while human judgment becomes more valuable than ever. Mathematics May Be Only the Beginning Every scientific discipline could eventually experience a similar acceleration. AI systems could generate and test hypotheses, connect findings across specialized fields, and explore possibilities at a scale no human research community could match. In medicine, imagine models identifying overlooked disease mechanisms, designing drugs and clinical trials, personalizing treatments, or discovering cures in months rather than decades. In materials science, AI could help create better batteries and cleaner industrial processes. In climate science, it could accelerate advances in energy, forecasting, and carbon removal. In biology, it could uncover relationships hidden across enormous genomic and molecular datasets. The result would not simply be faster research. It could expand the frontier of what is scientifically possible. The New Bottleneck Scientific discovery, however, is not the same as scientific progress. A medical breakthrough must still survive laboratory testing, clinical trials, regulatory scrutiny, manufacturing constraints, and real-world deployment. As machine-generated ideas multiply, the bottleneck may shift from producing breakthroughs to validating them safely and translating them into practice. We may soon have more hypotheses than laboratories can test, more drugs than clinical trials can evaluate, and more mathematical results than experts can review. That imbalance will require better systems for automated verification, reproducible research, prioritization, peer review, and collaboration between AI and domain experts. The importance of OpenAI’s work is not merely the number of manuscripts produced. It offers a glimpse of a world in which intelligence can explore thousands of intellectual paths in parallel. If ideas cease to be scarce, humanity’s defining challenge will be deciding which are true, which matter, and how to turn them into progress. The math singularity is not the end of human inquiry. It is the beginning of a new kind—one in which machines expand the frontier of knowledge and humans decide where it should lead. Subscribe Share Leave a comment
Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar dies at 75
Acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar has died at his home in Goa. He was 75. The Press Trust of India reports that Patekar died of a suspected cardiac
Open Science and Equity: Does openness alone lead to fairness?
Open Science improves sharing and reuse of knowledge, increases transparency, and encourages public participation in the research process. While this approach has gained widespread support from researchers and policymakers, the new report, “Equity in Open Science: Case studies of Open Science infrastructures and Open Peer Review”, shows that openness alone does not automatically lead to […]
Award-winning Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh detained by US immigration authorities
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - An award-winning filmmaker whose work has explored conflict in his native Kashmir has been detained by US immigration officials after legally coming
At Black business expo, officials urge owners to speak up
State and federal lawmakers called for more Black small business owners, who disproportionately face economic challenges, to meet with elected officials and ask for support.
Florida HC Jon Sumrall Provides Injury Update on Key Receiver
As the Gators aim to rebound against South Carolina, the status of star playmaker Vernell Brown III remains uncertain following a pivotal practice update from Gainesville.
Wolfspeed secures $1.5 billion conditional loan commitment from US defense department
Chipmaker Wolfspeed said on Wednesday it has received a conditional loan commitment for up to $1.5 billion from the US Department of Defense to expand domestic production of silicon carbide materials and power devices, sending its shares surging 27% in extended trading.
Report: Iowa economy seeing ‘positive change’ this year
The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey (EOS) for 2026. That survey is showing encouraging signs for Iowa businesses, according to IBC officials. The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 22 members are the chief decision makers of the state’s largest employers. Since its establishment […]
Jaguars star Travis Hunter proves himself at cornerback
Jaguars star Travis Hunter proved to be a difference-maker after playing cornerback exclusively for the first time.
Some furloughed Star Wars Zero Company developers are returning to work, studio says
Bit Reactor, the Maryland based company, behind this summer’s well-received tactical combat game Star Wars Zero Company says that “more” of its team is returning to work after being furloughed ahead of the game’s release. This is the studio’s first statement on the matter since Game File’s August report that “most” of the development team had been furloughed—technically kept as employees, but without pay or benefits—a few weeks prior to launch. Some of those furloughs ended this week. “This week, we started the process of returning more of our team back to work at Bit Reactor, an important step forward in our continued support for Zero Company, “ Bit Reactor CEO Greg Foertsch said in a statement. He continued: “Having to ask team members to step away after we navigated unexpected business developments outside of our control and so close to launch was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was necessary to help us eventually bring as many people back as possible. “This team means a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you to our fans for the incredible response to the game and for supporting us along this journey. We look forward to sharing more updates regarding Bit Reactor and Zero Company soon.” Game File reported in August that Bit Reactor had retained a small team to work on updates for Zero Company. One person familiar with the situation told Game File that the returns announced today bring the studio’s pay-rolled headcount to more than half of what it had been ahead of the furloughs. That means a considerable number of people have been brought back, but that a fair number also remain without pay. While companies in the U.S. are often legally required to publicly disclose how many people they’ve laid off, furloughs can often be kept private, for a time. The United States Department of Labor requires companies to publicly report mass furloughs if they meet specific criteria, including any expectation that they will last more than six months. For those game makers who remain furloughed by Bit Reactor, it’s now been about two months. For more about Bit Reactor, the furloughs, the studio’s back-story and the ongoing lawsuit that brought this to light, read my August report. [ ‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit) Stephen Totilo · Sep 1 Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. [ Read full story ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit)
Lawmakers withdraw request to delay skill game crackdown
Harrisburg, Pa. — Four state lawmakers, including Sen. Gene Yaw, have withdrawn their request asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to delay enforcement against skill game machines until February.
Lawmakers withdraw request to delay skill game crackdown
Harrisburg, Pa. — Four state lawmakers, including Sen. Gene Yaw, have withdrawn their request asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to delay enforcement against skill game machines until February.
Senator Yaw leads push to stay skill games seizure into 2027
Harrisburg, Pa. — Skill game machines in bars, clubs, and shops across the state could stay safe from police seizure until February if four state lawmakers, primarily Sen. Gene Yaw,
At Black business expo, officials urge owners to ‘speak up’
Black small business owners are facing economic conditions similar to those they dealt with as a result of COVID-19. And to help, state and federal lawmakers are calling on more Black business owne…
This wearable AI stock is set to rally thanks to a broader business focus, Jefferies says
A maker of energy efficient computer chips is likely to soar as smart-device hardware and AI compute businesses continue to gain traction, one analyst says.
Report: Iowa economy seeing ‘positive change’ this year
The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey (EOS) for 2026. That survey is showing encouraging signs for Iowa businesses, according to IBC officials. The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 22 members are the chief decision makers of the state’s largest employers. Since its establishment […]
Ways and Means Promotes Tax Law to Small Businesses in Tennessee
At a Tennessee hearing, House Ways and Means lawmakers touted the One Big Beautiful Bill’s tax benefits for small businesses. Read what the measure means.
Film Festival Will Screen ‘Beyond The Duplex Planet’
The Woods Hole Film Festival’s Dinner & A Movie series continues on Saturday, October 17, with “Beyond The Duplex Planet,” a new feature documentary by Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated filmmaker Beth Harrington.
Mikel Arteta pens new Arsenal contract until 2030
Arsenal have announced that manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new deal with the club until 2030.Arteta first joined the Gunners midway through the 2019/20 season after having served as Pep Guardiola'...
Pittsburgh Opens as Only Four-Point Favorites vs. UNC
Oddsmakers predict a narrow clash as the undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers host a struggling North Carolina Tar Heels squad.
AI doom has a precision problem
Until there is more clarity on basic questions, neither developers nor policymakers can credibly establish a quantitative AI risk assessment.
Baumgartner Takes Major Step Towards Leipzig Comeback
After 128 days sidelined by surgery, the Austrian playmaker rejoins team training to rescue a struggling attack missing his clinical finishing and veteran leadership from midfield.
Micron's Taoyuan union in Taiwan secures authorisation to strike
A Taiwanese union representing workers at Micron Technology said on Wednesday it had secured authorisation from its members to strike work over a dispute concerning the company's bonus scheme, escalating a labour conflict at the chipmaker's largest manufacturing hub.
Geoffrey Hinton suggests an FDA-style approval system for AI
Geoffrey Hinton said AI companies should have to convince a regulator their models are safe before releasing them, much like drugmakers.
Business groups to lawmakers: NJ is losing out to other states
The marathon hearing ended with questions about whether the Legislature would act on recommendations or allow longstanding problems to continue.
DFL lawmakers voice concerns over healthcare mergers as new consolidations loom
A group of Minnesota lawmakers voiced concerns at the State Capitol on Tuesday that several recent healthcare company mergers could negatively impact Minnesota’s healthcare landscape.
Pixar exhibit brings movie magic to Frost Science
Buzz Lightyear may have doubts about humans and space travel, but when it comes to bringing Pixar characters to life, filmmakers take technology to infinity and beyond.
Focus Features Takes Global To Ice Cube & Tommy Lee Jones ‘Outside Man’ From Brian Helgeland
EXCLUSIVE: Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Oscar-winning filmmaker Brian Helgeland’s Outside Man. Deadline first told you about the Teton Ridge Entertainment production back in April w...
UCF Must Get Passing Game Clicking Ahead of Oklahoma State
After a crushing collapse against Houston, the Knights must ignite their stagnant downfield attack to match a high-powered Oklahoma State offense led by Heisman hopeful Drew Mestemaker.
Is Mike McCarthy's snap-count analytics benching Steelers playmakers?
Former Pittsburgh Steelers players critique head coach Mike McCarthy for using strict snap-count analytics to bench top playmakers.
Dani Carvajal set to remain in Madrid
Dani Carvajal is still a free agent and could soon make a surprise decision, according to the Spanish press. The right-back is expected to stay in the capital, although not at the club where he made ...
Austin Simmons Headlines Missouri's Biggest Offensive Threats to Texas A&M
Austin Simmons leads a Missouri offense that has emerged as one of the SEC's biggest early surprises, but Texas A&M will have to account for three other playmakers as well.
As Taiwan expands Arizona chip plant, China warns against developing political ties
The world's biggest chipmaker now manufactures at scale in Phoenix, as well as Taiwan. China is warning political leaders in Arizona to not get too friendly.
Germany under pressure
From carmakers and manufacturers to farmers and logistics firms, businesses are grappling with weak demand, climate risks, and global uncertainty.
From ‘feel-good’ to urgent: NC lawmakers move to act on gas taxes
If the legislature suspends the state gas tax, it would save North Carolinians 41 cents per gallon.
Huge Amazon Prime Big Deals Sports Tech Tracker!
Here's your complete Amazon Prime Days 2026 Sports Tech Gear Guide, covering 100+ sports tech product deals!
Business Buzz: Platinum Fitness Performance & Wellness Center
Business: Platinum Fitness Performance & Wellness Center Address: 8 Pecks Lane Owner: Randy Lockwood What is your business background? “I’ve had [a place] in Milford … and then D...
Trump reverses course on publicly funded TV political ads
President Donald Trump announced Monday night that taxpayers will no longer pick up the tab for political TV advertisements promoting himself and administration policies. Facing a public backlash from lawmakers of both parties, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site that he would in part use money raised by a super PAC, […]
2026 UHC Day campaign launch
The 2026 UHC Day campaign launch will give advocates, including civil society and young people, tools and messaging to advocate for universal health coverage and hold decision-makers to account for their global commitments.
Why I Don’t Think Ride Or Die Should Have Been Cancelled (And What Company Should Save It...)
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) So…I recently came across a Reddit thread, talking about films on streaming, wondering why there are no reliable sources out there for streaming ratings data. Sigh. Honestly, as annoyed as I am that so many still don’t realize that we have streaming ratings, I somewhat get it. Until now, there was such a long delay between when a show or film came to streaming and when we got its viewership data; I understand why people were confused. (But, as you know, this just changed.) Also, even back in the day, how many people knew how well films did on television? Luckily, as a reader, you’re in the know. Okay, on to this week’s issue. I want to take a look at Prime Video cancelling Ride or Die and whether I agree with that decision. Overall, we didn’t have any breakout hits (no TV shows landed over 20 million hours according to Nielsen) but we have a lot of steady performers on the streaming charts. Plus, we’ll look at where $50 million in missing box office dollars went. (Spoiler: straight-to-streaming.) All that, plus new episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Supergirl heads to streaming, a new YA show does well on Netflix, the viewership for the Daily Wire’s $50 million fantasy show, what TV show hit-maker can’t make streaming hits, CD sales, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 7th to September 13th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Television - Ride or Die Is a Hit…But It Got Cancelled? What The Data “Says” I hate the phrase “here’s what the data says”, even though sometimes I find myself using it. If data just told us everything, we data folks would be out of a job! Data is often messy, complicated and nuanced. When it comes to strategy, many of the best decisions can’t actually use “data”, since it’s vastly too complicated to model. Anyways, I’ve been singing the praises of Prime Video’s Ride Or Die this summer, a show that did very well for them. And yet…it got cancelled. Now, usually when a show gets cancelled, a bunch of websites say “a hit show got cancelled”... Here’s the thing, though: in this case, they’re right! The data “says” that this show was a hit. Specifically, out of 522 first seasons to make a week on the Nielsen charts since 2020, it’s the 75th biggest. On Amazon, Ride or Die is eighth out of 41 first seasons: That’s top 15th percentile all time, almost exactly, which is my definition of a “hit”! I mean, outside of Reacher, Amazon needed a hit this summer! (Admittedly, Off Campus did well for Amazon in the spring, but Ride or Die performed even better.) So what happened? Why did Amazon cancel one of their rare 2026 bright spots? Well, Deadline reported a reason—which I’ll get to—but I’d break it down into three relevant questions: What is a given streamer’s reasoning? Is that reasoning sound? Could the stated reason not be the real reason? According to Deadline, Amazon felt the show “over-indexed” in middle-aged women. (This was based on leaks from within Amazon.) The logic is this: Amazon already reaches this demographic because of unlimited two-day shipping bundled with Prime, so they don’t really need more shows like this. Now, it’s my job to ask if that’s a good reason, and I’ll be honest, in this case, I don’t think it is. Sure, this show may “over-index” in middle-aged women—I’ll just assume that’s the case here—but I think folks often oversell how important over-indexing actually is. When a show is a “hit”, it isn’t a bit bigger than its rivals; it’s usually multiples bigger. For example, Elle only made the charts for two weeks at 8.3 million hours each. So Ride or Die was 80% bigger in its first two weeks, and likely had a much stronger hold, with its terrific 13 million hours in week three. Ride or Die was nearly three times bigger than Sterling Point through three weeks too. And that means that _Elle, Sterling Point a_nd other Amazon YA shows need to not just over-index a little with younger women (assuming that’s who Amazon prefers over middle-aged women), but massively over-index. Otherwise, more people in that demo (and a bunch more besides) likely watched Ride or Die. (I’ll try to explore this concept more in a future article.) And don’t get me started on how Ride or Die did compared to a certain (very, very popular, possibly the world’s most popular) YouTuber’s reality show…which didn’t make the charts after its first week and likely cost much, much more than Ride or Die. All to say, Amazon-MGM Studios/Prime Video can tell reporters that this show didn’t reach the right audience, but that excuse feels weak to me. So this leads to the third question: could other reasons have come into play? Yes! Renewal or cancellation decisions rarely (I’m tempted to say “never”) boil down to one variable. At its simplest, it’s two things: budget versus viewership. But often factors like critical acclaim, ownership and, yes, personal opinion come into play. In this case, Amazon has a new executive running things, and this show isn’t owned by Amazon-MGM Studios (unlike Elle). And yes, it may not have indexed with the right target viewers, too. Likely all of those factors came into play.1 My guess is ownership ended up mattering most. Amazon doesn’t own Ride or Die. It’s actually produced by another major studio. Fortunately/allegedly, this show is being shopped around. I can think of one brand new CEO who should consider it for one of his two major streamers…especially if he wants to rebuild goodwill in Hollywood. His name is on this list of exec producers of Ride or Die… If David Ellison needs some goodwill—and he does—rescue this female-led show tomorrow and grab some good headlines for a day. The data justifies it. Quick Notes on TV We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… How The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives latest season did on Hulu, post-controversy... Whether Supergirl soared on HBO Max... Why the box office is losing money due to the streamers... The viewership for the Daily Wire’s $50 million fantasy show... Updates on The Gentlemen, Lanterns, Outer Banks, King of the Hill and more... What former hit-maker has three streaming flops in a row... Whether The Mandalorian and Grogu popped in week two... All the flops, bombs and misses... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Oh man, we’re almost caught up! We just have two more issues, then the streaming Ratings Report will be coming out just two weeks after a TV show premieres! Next issue, I’ll be looking at the first two weeks of the NFL Thursday night games on streaming, a huge new spinoff, Reacher’s Neagly on Prime Video, and the latest edition of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix, the return of Slow Horses on Apple and MobLand (quietly one of their biggest shows) on Paramount+, and Dancing with the Stars on both ABC and Disney+. Plus I’ll take a look at animation for adults in 2026. The week after, a ton of movies are coming to streaming: Toy Story 5 on Disney+, Backrooms on HBO Max, Jackass: Best and Last on Paramount+ and The Breadwinner on Netflix, plus a Unabomber film on Netflix and a romcom on Prime Video. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey have a show on Apple, along with a game show inspired by Willy Wonka that everyone seems to hate. Long term, some crazy (but hopefully crazy like a fox) IP news. FX ordered a new Sons of Anarchy show from Charlie Hunnam, but it’s not about the biker gang. No, it features the show’s cast playing themselves in a new “meta-thriller”. Huh. And a lot of the cast is coming back. Next, Ryan Gosling is producing a Flintstones movie about a “grown-up Bamm-Bamm Rubble”. Also, huh. This one is in “early development” so we’ll see what happens. Both projects are based on IP, but also seem to have crazy takes on the IP, which I like.
Doctors, Insurers Sue Newsom over Health Insurance Premium Increases
In June, lawmakers passed a healthcare tax that could increase premiums in order to combat federal Medicaid cuts.
Gatorade maker recalls 122,000 cases of popular sports drink across 37 US states
PepsiCo initiated class II recall of 28oz bottles last month over ‘undeclared’ yellow dyes, FDA notice says
Sports Commission seeks to bring world's 3rd-largest sporting event to St. Louis: Rugby World Cup
The St. Louis Sports Commission has submitted a formal bid for the region to host matches during the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, a move that could bring one of the world’s largest sporting events and its associated economic impact to the area.
Pennsylvania lawmakers, advocates to introduce universal health care legislation
Pa. lawmakers, advocates to introduce universal health care legislation
Michael Duff set to be given the Bradford job
Bradford City are expected to name Michael Duff as the new manager according to reports.The Bantams have been looking for a new boss after Graham Alexander left the club to join Championship side Pre...
Syracuse Football: How Do Oddsmakers Feel About Matchup with Virginia?
The Orange are back in action this weekend against the Cavaliers following a 42-41 win over UConn.
GE HealthCare to buy Sofie Biosciences for $945 million to strengthen radiopharma business
Medical device maker GE HealthCare said on Monday it would buy privately held Sofie Biosciences for $945 million in cash, in a move that strengthens its ability to manufacture and distribute PET imaging drugs.
Building something with your hands — and a career
MakerSpace NYC is one of at least 2,000 community workshops across the country.
5 takeaways from Iowa lawmakers passing historic $1.4B tax breaks
Five key takeaways from the Iowa Legislature passing historic tax incentives for a $15 billion proposed steel mill.
Renée Slegers has full backing from Arsenal despite slow start
Arsenal are not looking to dismiss manager Renée Slegers despite a slow start to the 2026/27 season.The Gunners have won just one of their opening five matches in the WSL which sees them ninth in the...
BridgeBio taps Hip Hop Public Health and others up to put a new beat on ATTR-CM awareness
Attruby maker BridgeBio is re-upping its “Don’t Pass on Your Heart Health” campaign with a fresh new beat. | BridgeBio's YouTube awareness push to lead up to World Amyloidosis Day features a conversation with Hip Hop Public Health's Doug E. Fresh and more.
Lawrence Tech launches program to ease automakers’ reliance on rare earth materials
Lawrence Tech's Centrepolis Accelerator and USCAR are partnering to find critical material innovations to make the U.S. auto industry more competitive.
To Make More Money, Rolls-Royce Is Aiming Higher on Price, Not Production
The luxury carmaker is expanding its factory in Britain to focus on rarefied custom cars. First up is a $3.5 million-plus electric roadster.
Stages SB200 Indoor Smartbike In-Depth Review: Redemption?
In this review I cover whether the SB200 is a worthwhile upgrade over the existing SB20, as well as everything you need to know from ride feel to accuracy.
Korean Directors Rally Behind 'The Assassin(s)' in Political Firestorm
Korea's Directors Guild defends the makers of Hur Jin-ho's 'The Assassin(s),' as a history row turns personal.
Buccaneers vs. Cowboys odds: Opening lines for Week 5 matchup
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road on a short week as they travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys Thursday night. Tampa Bay remains winless on the season while Dallas is coming off a big road victory. So what are the oddsmakers thinking of the Week 5 matchup between the Bucs and Cowboys? […]
Newsmakers: Southern NH Health names More VP of philanthropy
Southern New Hampshire Health named Cristine More vice president of philanthropy, among new appointments and leadership changes across New Hampshire organizatio...
Newsmakers: Southern NH Health names More VP of philanthropy
Southern New Hampshire Health named Cristine More vice president of philanthropy, among new appointments and leadership changes across New Hampshire organizatio...
Greece hold Klopp’s Germany to goalless draw
Germany were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Greece in Thessaloniki, leaving Jurgen Klopp with just one win from his opening four matches as national team coach.Greece made the brighter start, with ...
Portugal reach quarters with comeback win over Norway
Portugal maintained their perfect start to the Nations League with a 2-1 comeback victory over Norway at the Estádio do Dragão.Jorge Jesus’ side fell behind despite controlling much of the early p...
AkzoNobel to sell unit to Nippon Paint for over $1 billion, FT reports
Dulux paint maker AkzoNobel is nearing a deal to sell its Southeast Asian decorative paints business to Nippon Paint for well over $1 billion, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Will Washington’s ‘millionaire tax’ drive people away? Business owners and lawmakers disagree
Supporters say the tax is needed to help fund education, tax credits for businesses and families, and other public programs. Opponents argue it could drive entrepreneurs, investors, and employers out of Washington.
Bosnia votes as pro-Russian politician looms large and ethnic tensions simmer
Around 3.4 million voters are choosing the three members of the country's multi-ethnic presidency, lawmakers for the national Parliament and heads of institutions for the country's two entities.
Penn State Opens as Underdog Against USC
Penn State has opened as an underdog for the first time in the 2026 season. Following back-to-back loses to begin Big Ten play, the Nittany Lions will be a 1.5-point home underdog when they face USC on Saturday. Despite the game being the annual White Out, the oddsmakers are still not confident in Penn State’s […]
NC lawmakers call for special session of General Assembly to tackle high gas prices
Republican leaders in NC House and Senate announced Saturday that they plan to convene a special session to focus on gas prices.
Blue surge could breach Cascades in this Washington race
For more than 50 years, every Washington state lawmaker chosen to represent Chelan County has been a Republican. That might change in this November's election.
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
Colorado’s mobster democracy
The issues on your ballot aren’t just questions about trains, taxes and spending. They are exhibits in a larger case: dishonesty, intimidation and political bullying have become standard operating procedure at the Colorado Capitol. The message from lawmakers is increasingly simple: Vote however you like — we’ll make sure it turns out the way we […]
Pols & Politics: White House launches website on the ‘real cost of Socialism’
The White House has launched a new webpage warning U.S. families of the “real cost of Socialism,” while state lawmakers prepare to take up proposed federal changes to the 2030 census this month.
Trump’s spat with GOP lawmaker over Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump railed against Sen. Tom Cotton in a series of posts on Saturday, accusing the Arkansas Republican of holding up a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent and encouraging people to call the senator at his cellphone number.
NC GOP leaders to call special session on fuel prices
The Senate and House Republican leaders have not set a date for lawmakers to return to Raleigh.
Trump posts GOP lawmaker’s phone number amid spat over Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump railed against Sen. Tom Cotton in a series of posts on Saturday, accusing the Arkansas Republican of holding up a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent and encouraging people to call the senator at his cellphone number.
A real Marine's search for forgiveness became the movie 'Atonement'
NEW YORK − In 2012, filmmaker Reed Van Dyk was doing some Sunday morning reading when he stumbled on a 2012 New Yorker article by Dexter Filkins entitled “Atonement.”
Lewis Hall Allowed To Shine Under Matthias Jaissle’s New System
The England international is thriving as a dynamic playmaker, trading rigid defensive duties for a versatile role that maximizes his technical composure and aggressive attacking instincts.