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Man found dead at East End business, LMPD conduct investigation
Louisville Metro Police officers responded to a report of a person down around 5:15 p.m. Sept. 14.
After losing a friend and veteran to suicide, Navy officer builds a new mission through Let’s Chow
Jordan Foley, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and active-duty Navy lieutenant commander, founded Let’s Chow in 2020 after a close friend and fellow Naval Academy classmate died by suicide while trying to build his own business.
Chewy Eyes Pet Health, AI and Clinics to Drive Its Next Growth Phase
Chewy (NYSE:CHWY) is prioritizing U.S. health services, customer spending expansion and artificial intelligence capabilities as it seeks to build on its pet retail foundation, Chief Executive Officer Sumit Singh said during a Goldman Sachs conference fireside chat. Singh said the company’s investme
Baltimore proposes new Department of Neighborhood Safety to handle some nonviolent 911 calls
Baltimore leaders are proposing a new Department of Neighborhood Safety that would send trained responders to certain nonviolent 911 calls instead of police officers.
Lucas County prosecutors to review Mercy Health officer shooting case
Authorities said Christian Strassburg got into an altercation involving an officer, and that officer shot and killed him.
Please Stop Conflating Sports Betting Handle With Spending On Entertainment
Editor’s note: The Cashout for paid subscribers will publish on Tuesday. Every September there’s a huge uptick in how much people bet on sports with the start of football season. Which means it’s time to get ahead of a ridiculous narrative before it picks up steam on social media or in mainstream media. Subscribe Every few months I see some version of this: [ Charlie Bilello@charliebilello Americans bet over $165 billion on sports last year, which is more than they spent on movies, books, concerts and sports tickets - combined. 1:00 PM · Jun 28, 2026 · 4.1M Views 258 Replies · 674 Reposts · 4.23K Likes ](https://x.com/charliebilello/status/2071217050328895935?s=20) Fortune published this in July. The headline and start of the story tell the same narrative (emphasis added): Gambling becomes America’s favorite pastime as Americans spend more on sports bets than movies, arts, museums, and music combined: The North American box office totaled $8.87 billion in 2025, which is still 22% below pre-pandemic levels. Recorded music revenue hit a record $11.5 billion. Live music like concerts and festivals brought in $18.51 billion. Meanwhile, book publishers tracked by the Association of American Publishers reported $14.6 billion for the year. And the U.S. museum industry generated an estimated $16.4 billion. Add it up and the total comes to roughly $70 billion, which is less than half what Americans wagered on sports. The story, to its credit, goes on to tell us why sports betting is entirely different, although people who only read headlines will miss that nuance. (The tweet above definitely skips over the nuance.) I will mostly be preaching to the choir here, but it’s worth saying out loud: Wagering money on sports is not the same thing as spending on entertainment from a financial perspective. When you spend money on a movie or concert ticket, that money is gone. You exchanged money for an experience. It’s a good trade! I get to have fun for “x” dollars. (Unless the movie sucks, I guess.) When you bet money on sports, the money is not necessarily gone every time you wager it. It could be gone, but sometimes it’s not and you actually get more money back! That’s not “spending” money or something you should try to compare directly to entertainment spend. A far better comp would be how much people lose at sports betting. That number was more like $17 billion in the US last year, at least for state-regulated sportsbooks. Why are we trying to equate handle and entertainment spending? I dunno. It makes for splashy headlines, I guess. Now, people should be betting for entertainment, and not because they expect to win in the long term; no doubt about it. Anyway, here’s hoping I don’t see people saying Americans “spent” hundreds of millions of dollars on sports betting this fall. Mindway AI and DraftKings Expand Responsible Gaming Drive with Launch of Gamalyze American Football In time for the NFL kickoff, Mindway AI has expanded its partnership with DraftKings to launch Gamalyze American Football the second title in the neuroscience-based Gamalyze Sports collection. Following the success of Gamalyze Football (soccer) during the FIFA World Cup, this gridiron-themed update replaces static questionnaires with immersive, stadium-inspired gameplay. Backed by 10+ years of Aarhus University research, Gamalyze evaluates real-time decision-making to deliver instant, unbiased player risk assessments. Integrated into DraftKings’ platform and nationwide activations, it engages fans when excitement peaks. Ready to upgrade your player protection? Contact Mindway AI to try Gamalyze Sports today. Gambling news roundup 🚨The important stuff 1st NFL Sunday of Season ‘Champagne-Popping Day for Bettors’ (Covers): “The first NFL Sunday of the season was a champagne-popping day for bettors, while the book was left cleaning up the corks,” Caesars’ head of football Joey Feazel said prior to the Sunday night game. “Caesars Sportsbook reported that Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor, and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson were among the top five most-bet players to reach the end zone, and all of them cashed tickets.” [ Ben Fawkes@BFawkes22 A @CaesarsSports oddsmaker on how Week 1 has gone so far: “The first NFL Sunday of the season was a champagne-popping day for bettors, while the book was left cleaning up the corks.” ➡️8 of 10 most popular anytime TD scorers cashed 1:31 AM · Sep 14, 2026 · 276K Views 16 Replies · 16 Reposts · 615 Likes ](https://x.com/BFawkes22/status/2099310001927995849?s=20) 🔍 Are we already getting a “customer-friendly results” narrative in Week 1? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke with CNBC about the prediction markets industry: “We think that there needs to be stronger regulations into the predictive markets,” Goodell said. “We want to see that to protect the integrity of our game. We want to make sure we’re protecting the consumers that are on those platforms for the NFL. So, we’re continuing to have conversations with them and talk to them about the things that we think they need to do to strengthen that so that they could be potential partners at some point in the future.” More on the NFL + PMs: [ Straight to the Point Quid Pro Quo The NFL has asked Kalshi and other prediction markets to remove certain easy to manipulate markets. Does a potential partnership hang in the balance… Read more 6 hours ago · 19 likes · Steve Ruddock ](https://straighttothepoint.substack.com/p/quid-pro-quo?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1472492) Kalshi was on my podcast?: Kalshi was on my podcast [ The Event Horizon Episode 32: Talking Prediction Market Enforcement With Kalshi’s Robert DeNault Kalshi? On my podcast? Yep… Listen now 5 hours ago · 6 likes · 1 comment · Dustin Gouker ](https://nexteventhorizon.substack.com/p/episode-32-talking-prediction-market-enforcement-kalshi?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1472492) DraftKings Enhances Responsible Engagement Efforts With New Customer Initiatives, Tools and Education (press release): DraftKings Inc. today announced a series of new initiatives designed to promote responsible engagement and increase awareness and use of the tools and resources to help customers make informed decisions and engage responsibly. The efforts include a new digital advertising campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas that promotes responsible engagement, a PGA TOUR sweepstakes that promotes customer engagement with responsible engagement features, the launch of Gamalyze American Football in collaboration with Mindway AI, and new custom cool-off options that give customers enhanced flexibility when choosing a cool-off period. The initiatives build on DraftKings’ commitment to making responsible engagement an integral part of the customer experience and providing players with accessible tools and resources that help them make informed choices about their gaming experience. “At DraftKings, responsible engagement is embedded in how we operate and is essential to building trust with our customers and our long-term sustainability,” said Lori Kalani, Chief Responsible Gaming Officer at DraftKings. “We’ve continued to invest in tools and resources that give customers enhanced access to information about their play and more choices for managing how they engage. From My Budget Builder and My Stat Sheet to player-set limits and new custom cool-offs, we’re continuing to evolve our approach while promoting awareness and use of the tools and resources available to help customers play responsibly.” … DraftKings is launching a new digital advertising campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas that continues the pair’s road trip and promotes responsible engagement and awareness of the tools and resources available to help customers make informed choices about their gaming experience and engage responsibly. The campaign was initially launched on Sep. 10th and will reach customers through digital channels, bringing responsible engagement messaging to fans in an engaging way. bet365 Launches “The Matchup,” a New Weekly Video Podcast Hosted by Super Bowl Champions Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders (press release): "bet365, a global leader in online sports betting and gaming, today announced the launch of “The Matchup,” a new weekly video podcast hosted by former Super Bowl Champions Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders. Featuring current and former NFL players, the original series marks a significant, intentional investment in football as bet365 works to become a go-to destination for U.S. bettors throughout the season. “The Matchup” premieres September 10, with new episodes released weekly in both video and audio formats. Full episodes will be available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever podcasts are available, with clips and additional content rolling out across YouTube, X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok. The show is being produced by Last Row Digital Media. Each week, Harris and Sanders will be joined by guests from across the game to break down the biggest NFL matchups, unpack the latest league news and share perspectives that go beyond the box score. By bringing together two former players with distinct perspectives and firsthand experience, “The Matchup” will give audiences timely context and a deeper understanding of the teams, players and storylines shaping the week ahead. “Every great football conversation starts with a matchup—who has the edge, what everyone is overlooking and what could change the game,” said Chris Harris Jr. “Emmanuel and I have experienced the game from different perspectives, and we want the audience to feel like they are part of the conversation and leave every episode knowing more about the week ahead.” Today’s iGaming companies face new litigation threats as expansive consumer protection statutes spark lawsuits with sky’s-the-limit aspirations, sometimes backed by private funders. Clients of Ifrah Law have a staunch defender in Robert Ward – an agile litigator and case tactician who responds to the changing state of play with creative legal defenses and efficient case-closing strategies. Robert draws on federal clerkship experience and appellate defense work to advise iGaming clients on litigation exposure, white-collar risk, and regulatory defense across multiple jurisdictions. Read More: Robert Ward on Helping iGaming Clients Outmaneuver Lawsuit-Obsessed Adversaries 🔮 Prediction markets Update on legal action in Connecticut: [ Daniel Wallach@WALLACHLEGAL Connecticut says gaming service license holders which received subpoenas over sports prediction markets “are not under investigation” by the @CTDCP but may possess information that could assist the state “in evaluating the conduct of prediction market platforms.” 2:31 PM · Sep 13, 2026 · 844 Views 5 Likes ](https://x.com/WALLACHLEGAL/status/2099143914271670576?s=20) American Gaming Association Opposes CFTC Bid to Block New York Prediction-Market Enforcement (DeFi Rate): “The brief points to the Ninth Circuit’s Aug. 28 decision in KalshiEX LLC v. Assad, which the AGA says supports New York’s authority to regulate sports contracts as gambling. It also cites Kalshi advertising, product comparisons and reporting on Kalshi’s sports volume to argue that the economic product resembles a sportsbook wager more than a conventional financial hedge.” [ Daniel Wallach@WALLACHLEGAL AGA intervenes in CFTC v. NY case to oppose CFTC request for preliminary injunction, says the CFTC’s arguments “obfuscate a simple truth: prediction markets offer sports betting.” Highlights CA9 decision, @DustinGouker (6x), and $1.32 billion in OSB taxes for NY (0 from PMs). Daniel Wallach @WALLACHLEGAL High stakes hearing on Monday in CFTC v. New York State. If SDNY judge Lorna Schofield denies the CFTC’s motion for preliminary injunction, the New York AG would have a clearer path for securing a state court geofencing order against Kalshi, Coinbase, and Gemini Titan. 2:08 AM · Sep 13, 2026 · 4.78K Views 1 Reply · 2 Reposts · 8 Likes ](https://x.com/WALLACHLEGAL/status/2098957043474280584?s=20) Gaming Commission remains member of gambling council after questions raised over ties to Kalshi (Mass Live): “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will not follow the leads of gaming regulators in Ohio and Michigan and drop ties with the National Council on Problem Gambling over its new association with Kalshi.” Sponsor’s messageTrusted Voices: Conversations About Betting is designed to equip adults, including parents and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, including information on warning signs, risks and proxy betting. The program is led by retired professional basketball player Randy Livingston and his wife, basketball agent Anita Smith, who share their personal stories related to problem gambling, with the hope of preventing others from experiencing similar harms. Learn more and join the conversation here. 📣 Industry news Gaming M&A: Latest Mergers, Acquisitions and Deals (SBC Americas): “But what else is happening in the world of gaming mergers, acquisitions, investments, and partnerships? Here, we round up some of the news you might have missed.” BetMGM Named Official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner of the Minnesota Vikings in Canada (press release): BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced a multi-year partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, naming it the Official Sports Betting Partner and Online Casino Partner of the team in Canada. The agreement gives BetMGM rights to use Vikings marks across approved sports betting, online casino and marketing activities in Canada. In addition, Vikings Big Kick LuckyTap™, a casino game by Design Works Gaming, is available now exclusively at BetMGM Casino in Alberta and Ontario. “Vikings fans bring a level of passion and loyalty that extends well beyond game day,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM. “As the home of one of the largest collections of sports-themed casino content in North America, BetMGM is uniquely positioned to combine sports fandom with iGaming. We are eager to start football season off strong with another fantastic partnership especially as we expand our reach in Canada to Alberta.” Martin Nance, Minnesota Vikings Chief Marketing Officer, said, “As we continue to deepen our connection with Vikings fans across Canada, we’re proud to welcome BetMGM as the team’s official sports betting and online casino partner in Canada. Their commitment to innovation and fan engagement aligns well with our organization, and we’re excited to create memorable experiences that celebrate Vikings football and connect with Canadian fans in new and meaningful ways.” Caesars Entertainment Launches Ball Rush Jackpots™ in New Jersey,the Latest Proprietary Online Title from Empire Creative™ (press release): Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) (“Caesars”) today announced the launch of Ball Rush Jackpots™, a new ball-and-peg style online casino game developed by Empire Creative™, the Company’s in-house game development studio. Now live in New Jersey across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, Ball Rush Jackpots is expected to become available in additional jurisdictions where Caesars offers online casino gaming following regulatory approval. The title expands Caesars’ growing portfolio of proprietary online casino titles, following the successful launch of Ca$hline™ earlier this year and further diversifying the Company’s lineup beyond traditional slots and table games. Ball Rush Jackpots follows the traditional ball-drop gameplay experience where players drop a ball down a board filled with pegs to land in a prize slot. As balls navigate independently through a field of pegs, every drop creates new opportunities to collect feature symbols, unlock bonuses and pursue jackpots, delivering a different experience with every round. “Ball Rush Jackpots delivers a different kind of casino experience for our players, combining easy-to-understand gameplay with meaningful customization, exciting bonus opportunities and jackpot potential,” said Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital. “As we continue expanding our proprietary content portfolio, we’re focused on creating games that are simple to pick up, rewarding to revisit and designed around the features players enjoy most.” Bally’s Corporation Secures New Financing to Support the Development of the Bally’s Bronx Project (press release): Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) (“Bally’s” or the “Company”) announced today that it secured new financing led by WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP to fund further development of the Bally’s Bronx project and general corporate purposes. The new financing comprises closing date term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and delayed draw term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $160 million (together, the “Facilities”). … Bally’s Chairman of the Board, Soo Kim, commented, “This important financing allows us to progress the pre-construction planning process so that we are ready to complete the remainder of the capital raise and remain on schedule. Furthermore, the additional liquidity provides us greater flexibility for other capital opportunities.” WORLD JAI ALAI LEAGUE LAUNCHES CENTENNIAL SEASON AND ENTERS NEXT CHAPTER IN MIAMI (press release): The World Jai Alai League will open its 2026 fall season on Tuesday, September 15 at Miami’s JAM Arena, beginning a milestone season that marks 100 years since professional Jai Alai first arrived in Miami. Season X, the tenth season of the Battle Court team-based competition launched in 2022, will also be the first since entrepreneur and sports asset investor Rob Gough acquired the World Jai Alai League in August 2026. The acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the league. World Jai Alai League will maintain the existing Battle Court competition and operating format, with Chief Operating Officer Scott Savin overseeing Season X. Gough and his team will use the coming months to listen to players and fans, evaluate opportunities across the league, and execute plans for a broader evolution of Jai Alai’s presentation, live experience, media, marketing and commercial strategy beginning in 2027. “This is a really unique moment for Jai Alai,” said Rob Gough, Owner of the World Jai Alai League. “We have a sport with more than 100 years of history in Miami, extraordinary athletes and incredible speed, but I also believe there is enormous untapped potential.” bet365 reveals most popular online slots in 3 US states in August (SBC Americas): “In its monthly Gaming Insights and Performance report, growing online casino operator bet365 tracks player trends and game performance in online slots across its North American online casino markets.” The Closing Line is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Preferred Behavioral Health Group Names Stacey Shultz as Chief Financial Officer
Experienced nonprofit finance executive brings decades of financial leadership to growing behavioral health organization LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG), a leading provider of behavioral health services throughout New Jersey, today announced the appointment of Stacey G. Shultz, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer. Shultz brings decades of financial management and leadership experience to PBHG, with[...]
Íñigo Aznar Named Chief Revenue Officer of Inter Miami CF and Nu Stadium as Club Continues Rapid and Ambitious Growth
Appointment brings 25 years of global commercial experience across fútbol, sports and entertainment properties
Íñigo Aznar Named Chief Revenue Officer of Inter Miami CF and Nu Stadium as Club Continues Rapid and Ambitious Growth
Appointment brings 25 years of global commercial experience across fútbol, sports and entertainment properties
Berlin businesswoman charged over alleged spying for Russia
Prosecutors say the Berlin marketing executive used her political and military contacts to help a Russian intelligence officer gain access to influential circles and seek information on German defense policy.
Phil Washington’s prescient perspectives on public transit
Phil Washington departed Denver 11 years ago, leaving his job as the Regional Transportation District’s general manager for the previous six years and another decade before that as its chief financial officer. I happened to be at the RTD offices when Washington’s departure was announced. There were small groups of employees huddled in the hallways, […]
Focus on agentic commerce as customer data science firm dunnhumby wraps Retail Innovation Forum USA
dunnhumby held its annual Retail Innovation Forum in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA last week, bringing together retailers, brands, technology leaders, scale-ups, startups and investors. In a LinkedIn post, Dave Clements, Chief Strategy Officer at dunnhumby, said: "In many ways an eclectic group to
Pavlos Pallas Sacrificed His Health at Ground Zero
NEW YORK. The victims of September 11 extend far beyond the thousands of people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In the years that followed, police officers, firefighters, rescue workers and others who worked at Ground Zero developed serious illnesses linked t
How a Bay Area healthcare system is navigating AI by balancing tech upgrades and patient trust
Sutter Health’s inaugural Chief AI Officer, Ashley Beecy, spoke with this news organization about some of the ways Sutter Health is using artificial intelligence to support physicians, improve patient care and transform the healthcare…
Betsy Davis Joins Ascend Indiana as Chief Operating Officer
Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), has announced Betsy Davis as Chief Operating Officer. Betsy joins Ascend …
Young scientists put innovation and science to work on South Africa’s water challenges
South Africa’s next generation of scientists is turning cutting-edge innovation into practical solutions for one of the country’s most urgent challenges: ensuring sustainable water supplies and safe sanitation in the face of climate change. Researchers from across the country will gather at the Academy of Science of South Africa’s (ASSAf) Annual Young Scientist Conference (AYSC), […]
ECU Health CFO recognized among 41 rural health system CFOs
The chief financial officer for ECU Health appeared on the to-know list of 41 rural hospital and health system CFOs published by Becker’s Hospital Review.
ECU Health CFO Brian Dunn named to Becker’s rural health leaders list
Brian Dunn, chief financial officer for ECU Health, has been named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “41 Rural Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know” for 2026
Judges press Illinois over nonprofit diversity disclosure law
Federal appeals court judges in Chicago questioned an Illinois law requiring nonprofits to disclose demographic data about their boards and officers.
Judges press Illinois over nonprofit diversity disclosure law
Federal appeals court judges in Chicago questioned an Illinois law requiring nonprofits to disclose demographic data about their boards and officers.
New Rock County Public Health Officer named
JANESVILLE - Roman Mullen, who currently serves as Dodge County Public Health Officer, has been named Rock County Public Health Officer.
Jeremy Gosch: More from our interview with Hy-Vee’s CEO
Jeremy Gosch began climbing Hy-Vee’s leadership ladder in January 2002, when he became a store director, a position he held for 10 years. He joined the Midwest grocery chain’s executive team in 2012, holding a series of leadership roles over the next decade, including executive vice president, co-chief operating officer, chief retail officer and chief…
Q&A with First Factory Chief Operating Officer Don Gregori
Don Gregori’s journey to become chief operating officer for a multinational technology company began with earning a liberal arts degree.
9/11 Firefighter on Rudy's Mamdani Attack: 'Leave Politics Out of It'
In the National Geographic docuseries, Bill Spade, the sole survivor of Staten Island’s Rescue Company 5 crew, finally tells an NYPD officer’s sons about their father’s last moments.
Marjorie Mesidor
Marjorie Mesidor is the founder and chief visionary officer of Mesidor PLLC, a nationally respected employment and workplace discrimination law firm dedicated to advancing justice, equity and accountability in the workplace.
At least 18 Pleasanton businesses hit in morning burglary spree
Officers pursued the suspects but called off the chase due to safety concerns.
Hawaiʻi is still 'open for business’ during hurricane season, HTA says
David Uchiyama, chief administrative officer of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, shares how the state is handling the flow of visitors after Hurricane Lowell.
Denver sues Trump to block armed ICE agents from polling sites
The City of Denver, along with several immigrant rights groups, sued the Trump administration Thursday, seeking to block armed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from polling sites during the upcoming midterm elections. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., leans heavily on 18 U.S.C. 592, an older federal law which […]
Merchants Bonding announces new leadership structure
West Des Moines-based Merchants Bonding Co. announced today that current President Larry Taylor will become the company’s chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The CEO role is newly created for the organization. Taylor will continue to serve as chairman of the company’s board of directors. Taylor has selected Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk…
Richford man charged with swiping nearly $1,400 in merchandise from Church Street business
Burlington Police say Tanner Hart, 32, tried to run away from officers and resisted arrest.
RWJBARNABAS HEALTH NAMES DR. DAVID SILVERMAN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF PHARMACY OFFICER
RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey, has appointed David Silverman, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP as Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, effective September 14, 2026.
Walmart Reinvents the Store for a Faster Digital Future
Walmart President and CEO John Furner and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey pointed to value, faster delivery and digital growth as key factors behind the retailer’s second-quarter performance in a video Furner posted on his personal LinkedIn account following the release of Walmart’s Q2 FY27 financial results.
Bunkerhill Health Names Dr. Azita Hamedani as First Chief Clinical Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, 2026--Bunkerhill Health, whose long-horizon AI agent helps health systems translate their goals into outcomes, today announced the appointment of Azita G. Hamedani, MD, MPH, MBA, as its first Chief Clinical Officer.
Law Enforcement Honors Dr. John Howard and the World Trade Center Health Program Team With ‘Service Above Self’ Award on 9/11
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 8, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / -- The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Foundation , in partnership with the Police Unity Tour and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, is proud to announce that the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)
See how gerrymandering in 2025 changed Missouri’s congressional map
It was chaos in Missouri politics Tuesday as the fight for what map voters will use during the November 2026 election and beyond continues.
Clearway Health Scales Operational Excellence with Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
/PRNewswire/ -- Clearway Health, a company that partners with hospitals and health systems to plan, build and operate specialty pharmacy programs, announces...
Winterville man accused of assaulting women with keyboard, officers at ECU Health Medical Center
WITN News At Sunrise 6-7a
Ingenovis Health names new chief commercial officer
Nicole Gable joins Ingenovis Health as chief commercial officer to lead strategy for the Blue Ash-based health workforce staffing company.
Ingenovis Health names new chief commercial officer
Nicole Gable joins Ingenovis Health as chief commercial officer to lead strategy for the Blue Ash-based health workforce staffing company.
Altour's Boult: Rising Travel Costs a 'Permanent Phenomenon'
Travel costs will continue rising into 2027, though more slowly than earlier this year, according to the annual GBTA-Altour forecast. Altour chief commercial officer Michael Boult spoke with BTN's Michael B. Baker about the findings, why travel buyers should expect little relief from higher prices in the near term, and why policy might not be the answer.
Winterville man accused of assaulting women with keyboard, officers at ECU Health Medical Center
A Winterville man has been arrested after warrants say he assaulted several women and officers at ECU Health Medical Center.
Lubbock first responders promote wellness programs to address mental health
First responders in Lubbock are highlighting department wellness programs designed to give officers, firefighters and paramedics access to mental health support.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conference
Academy Sports + Outdoors (the "Company") (Nasdaq: ASO), a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, today announced its participation in the upcoming Goldman Sachs 33rd Annual Global Retailing Conference to be held Monday, September 14 to Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lawrence, and Chief Financial Officer, Carl Ford, will participate in a fireside chat that will be webcast live on September 15th, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast
Insider Purchase: Chief Business Officer of $NMTC Buys 33,333 Shares
David J. Wambeke, the Chief Business Officer of $NMTC, bought 33,333 shares of the company on 08-27-2026 for an estimated $66,999. This trade was reported by Quiver Quantitative using data from a recent SEC filing. This increased their holdings of this class of stock by approximately 20.0%. Following this trade, they now own 199,999 shares of this class of $NMTC stock.$NMTC Insider Trading Activity$NMTC insiders have traded $NMTC stock on the ope
Hovione Appoints Stefan Doboczky as Chief Executive Officer
ZUG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 8, 2026--
Mental Health, Police, and The Death of Charles Adair
Charles Adair told jail officials he had schizophrenia. Less than 48 hours later, he was dead after officers restrained him in his cell.
Teladoc Health (TDOC) Could Be 58% Undervalued As A New CFO Takes Over
Why Teladoc Health Brought In A New CFO Teladoc Health (TDOC) has appointed Michael Grasher as Chief Financial Officer, effective 31 August 2026, giving investors a fresh focal point for assessing the company’s financial leadership and capital allocation plans. The Teladoc Health share price has eased in the past day and is down about 11% over the past month, while the 1 year total shareholder return has fallen roughly 19% and the 5 year total shareholder return has declined about 95%, so...
Ribbon Bio Appoints Jay Therrien as Chief Business Officer
Cell-free DNA assembly pioneer, Ribbon Bio, has today announced the appointment of Jay Therrien as Chief Business Officer. Therrien joins Ribbon's executive leadership team where he will lead the company's commercial strategy and growth initiatives.
Phoenix family says call for help during son’s mental health crisis ended in fatal police shooting
Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers.
Phoenix family says call for mental health help ended in deadly police shooting
A Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers. Phoenix police say 20-year-old Jonathan Marquez Delgado was armed with a knife and ran toward officers. There are different accounts of what happened Sunday morning.
Phoenix family says call for mental health help ended in deadly police shooting
A Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers. Phoenix police say 20-year-old Jonathan Marquez Delgado was armed with a knife and ran toward officers. There are different accounts of what happened Sunday morning.
Did WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. Insiders Breach their Fiduciary Duties to Shareholders?
/PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:...
Lyon consider additional departures ‘possible’ in coming days
Olympique Lyonnais could lose more players in the coming days. Speaking at a press conference on Monday to review the Rhône-based club’s summer transfer window, OL’s Chief Executive Officer Micha...
One dead after car crashes into Colorado Springs business
Police said around 8:00 pm on Saturday evening, officers responded to the 1100 block of N. Circle Drive for car that crashed into a building.
Will the Trump administration send federal officers or troops to the polls? Here’s what we know
With less than two months to go until this year’s midterm elections, Democrats are becoming increasingly unnerved about the possibility of President Donald Trump deploying federal immigration officers or troops to polling places.
Physician reveals the 4 key cornerstones of healthy aging: 'Adding life'
Dr. Annu Navani, chief medical officer at Le Reve Wellness, revelas why people should focus on adding healthy years to life — not chasing immortality.
Judge to allow discussion of woman’s mental health history in ex-officer’s murder trial
In a matter of weeks, a former Stoughton officer is set to go on trial for the murder of a 23-year-old Canton woman and her unborn child.
BGCSCK names new CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas has named Kyle Ellison as its new chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1. Ellison previously served as interim CEO and chief operating
Man struggling with mental health sentenced for stabbing Santaquin officer
Timothy Olesen will spend less than two year in jail and four years on probation for stabbing an officer with a kitchen knife who had responded to his call. The officer was wearing a vest that protected him.
Lyon County Health Officer urges residents to get flu shots
Whenever Labor Day rolls around, health officials really start highlighting the need to get vaccinated against...
Wrightsville Beach police respond to armed man experiencing mental health crisis
Wrightsville Beach police responded Saturday morning to a report of an armed man experiencing a mental health crisis, prompting a temporary road closure and evacuation of nearby residents.
Stephens County Hospital Administrators discuss joining Wellstar Health System
Wellstar Health System and Stephens County Hospital have reached an agreement for Stephens County Hospital to become part of Wellstar Health System. Stephens County Hospital Chief Executive Officer Van Loskoski says this opens up a depth of resources and services. “It opens up a depth of resources and services that is going to be really meaningful for the patients that [...]
Albany Med Health System names Andrew DeVoe chief financial officer
Albany Med Health System President and CEO Daniel T. Pickett III announced the appointment of Andrew DeVoe as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Oct. 5, 2026.
Proto Labs (PRLB) Could Be 15% Undervalued On Leadership Change And Business Insider Nod
Proto Labs (PRLB) is back in focus after Business Insider recognized the company as one of America's Most Innovative Businesses, and with the upcoming arrival of seasoned operations leader Sam Ramahi as Chief Operations Officer. Against this backdrop, Proto Labs’ share price has shown mixed momentum, with a 1 day share price return of 2.40% and a 7 day share price return of 2.13%, in contrast with a 30 day share price decline of 9.82%. Yet a much stronger 58.60% share price return year to...
Politics Unusual: NYC Council Education Chair Eric Dinowitz, NY State Courts Officer Bobby Keane
In this episode of Politics Unusual, Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the New York City Council's Education Committee, breaks down the city's new moratorium on AI in elementary and middle schools. Plus, State Court Officer Bobby Kane discusses his fight to close a legal gap preventing some 9/11 recovery worker from receiving enhanced disability benefits.
Detroiter has West Nile virus. Health leaders say avoid mosquito bites
Rainy conditions give mosquitoes more places to breed, says Detroit's chief public health officer in announcing the city's 1st West Nile virus case.
UA Foundation Adds Analytics, Strategy Leaders
Gwendolyn Gruenig is the new Chief Data and Analytics Officer and Stephanie Monahan is Director of Strategic Initiatives at UA Foundation.
Engineer Turned Lawyer Says Legal Should Be a ‘Co-Builder’ of the Business
Kirupa Pushparaj became chief legal officer for Mews, a tech provider for the hospitality industry, in April.
Richmond Police Officer Shot During Mental Health Crisis Call
The officer is in stable condition and expected to survive. It was the second shooting of police in Contra Costa County that evening.
BrownWinick promotes Kasey Vogel to chief growth officer
BrownWinick Law Firm has promoted Kasey Vogel to chief growth officer, an executive leadership role in which she will guide the Des Moines-based firm’s growth strategy. Vogel joined BrownWinick in September 2023 as director of marketing and business development. In her new role, she will work with the firm’s executive committee to strengthen its growth…
Gravity Media Appoints Alex Pannell as Chief Business Officer
Gravity Media has appointed Alex Pannell as Chief Business Officer. Pannell joins from Appear, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer. He will be based in London. In the newly...
Texas Association of Business Names Kelly Keel as New President & CEO
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Association of Business (TAB), the state’s leading business advocacy organization and the Texas State Chamber of Commerce, today announced that Kelly Keel has been named President & Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2, 2026. Keel currently serves as Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and will…
Richmond police officer shot, injured during mental health crisis incident
The officer was reportedly injured and is in stable condition.
Richmond officer shot while responding to mental health crisis call
On opposite sides of Contra Costa, two police officers were shot and wounded in unrelated incidents Thursday.
SBJ Football: Giants seek business boss
New York Giants searching for chief business officer as new coach John Harbaugh could lead team to upswing: ALso: New study shows brands are missing out by focusing on the Super Bowl and not other NFL opportunities, why DAZN makes sense for EverPass, NFLPA's new chief comms officer and more.
N.Y. Giants searching for new top business exec
The New York Giants have hired Spencer Stuart to assist a search for a new chief business officer, more than two and a half years after Pete Guelli left the job for the Buffalo Bills and Sabres.
2 people killed and suspect is dead in downtown Minneapolis shooting
The five wounded by gunfire included two Minneapolis police officers
Burnham meets Macron at No 10, as more French officers deployed to stop small boat crossings
Number of police on French coast has been increased amid smugglers’ rising use of so-called ‘mega-dinghies’
Sony and Microsoft say they’re not obligated to pass U.S. tariff refunds to consumers, echoing Nintendo
Back in July, Sony executives told investors that the company expected to receive $508 million in refunds from the U.S. government, after tariffs that the PlayStation-maker paid were ruled mostly in 2025 were found to be illegal. “Most” of the refund would by recouped by Sony’s gaming division, its chief financial officer said. This week, Sony’s lawyers are arguing that the company is not legally obligated to pass those proceeds on to consumers who paid for recently price-hiked PlayStation consoles. That’s in the face of a lawsuit from gamers calling on them to do exactly that. “Paying fair market price for voluntarily purchased consumer goods is not a legally cognizable injury in fact,” the lawyers wrote in a legal motion filed on Monday, as they asked a judge in California’s Northern District to dismiss a potential class action lawsuit over the tariff refunds. Microsoft made a similar argument two weeks ahead of Sony’s lawyers, in a similar lawsuit brought by a gamer in federal court in Washington State. As Microsoft’s legal team put it on August 21, in their request for a dismissal of that lawsuit: “There is nothing unjust about Plaintiff purchasing an Xbox at an advertised price and getting exactly what he paid for—regardless of whatever theory he devised months later about Microsoft’s cost structure.” Both legal fights are set to go on for some time. How things got to this point U.S. tariffs impacting a wide range of imported goods, including game consoles, had kicked off in early 2025. In May 2025, Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox consoles, citing “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” They raised them again that September. In August of that year, Sony raised the price of PlayStation 5 consoles, citing “a challenging economic environment.” Sony later told investors that its tariff fees for the fall quarter were nearly $200 million. in February of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the 2025 tariffs illegal, prompting impacted companies to begin to request refunds. In turn, consumers began suing the likes of Sony and Microsoft to get what they said was their share. The gamers in the Microsoft and Sony lawsuits argue that the 2025 price hikes of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, which added $50 or more to their sticker price, were due to illegal tariffs and should now be returned to consumers. The Sony suit started in May, when a group of gamers sued in federal court in California, saying Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) would be unjustly enriching itself if it did not pass tariff refunds to its PS5 buyers. “Sony is poised to be paid twice for the same unlawful tariff burden: once by its customers (through elevated prices) and once by the U.S. government (through tariff refunds),” the gamers’ lawyers wrote at the time. They called for Sony to partially reimburse anyone who bought a PlayStation in the U.S. since August 1, 2025. The Microsoft suit, filed by gamer Trevor Hastings against the Xbox giant in July, made similar claims. The console makers push back In late July, Nintendo’s lawyers, facing a similar suit accusing them of double-dipping on tariffs and refunds, replied with arguments that previewed Microsoft’s and Sony’s: “Nintendo or one of its retailers set a price for each product, and consumers decided whether that price was worth paying,” they wrote. Sony has buttressed that Nintendo-style argument this week by saying that the gamers have failed to prove that tariffs were the reason for its August 2025 PS5 price hike. They call thatclaim “speculative and illogical.” Other factors, including “inflation, currency fluctuations, component costs, logistics, competitive dynamics, or demand,” could have played a role. (No, the Sony lawyers do not break down the costs and factors that officially triggered the price increases). Microsoft has also argued that there’s no proof in these lawsuits that tariffs drove all or some of the price increase, as it seeks to dismiss the tariff refund suit it’s facing: “Plaintiff provides no specific allegations that would establish any pricing differential attributable to tariffs or suggest any possibility that Microsoft applied then or could recreate now any dollar-for-dollar calculation of tariff-related pricing—any more than it could any other market factor that affects pricing.” To further skewer the gamer side’s argument in its case, Sony’s lawyers have pointed to what might be a surprising defense: yet another PlayStation 5 price hike from this past spring, after the tariffs were ruled illegal. “If the original price increase were attributable to tariffs, SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment, aka PlayStation] would have had no reason to raise prices again after the Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA tariffs.” … “If tariffs were the cause of the price increases, one would expect SIE to lower prices once the tariffs were eliminated—not raise them again. Instead, the timeline confirms that the pricing of PlayStation consoles includes a diverse and dynamic set of input costs.” Judges have not yet ruled on the arguments made by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Last week, Panic, the company behind the small, yellow Playdate handheld said it would be passing its tariff refunds on to consumers. It is the only gaming hardware maker to have made such a pledge. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: A reporter’s second Second Life Wagner James Au, who from 2003-2006 was paid by San Francisco-based tech company Linden Lab to be a full-time journalist embedded in their virtual world Second Life, is returning to the company. This time, he’ll be an editorial advisor and business development specialist, he tells Game File. The new role will involve trying to share the stories of people inhabiting Second Life’s ongoing online world with reporters and by extension the public. Au plans to continue to also chronicle some of that through his long-running blog New World Notes. I’ve known Au since the mid-2000s and featured him in a 2007 article for the Columbia Journalism Review about reporters like him opening up virtual news outlets within Second Life. As I wrote at the time: On April 22, 2003, writing as Hamlet Linden for the New World Notes blog on Second Life’s Web site, Au introduced himself. “For the next few months, Linden Lab has invited me to set aside my journalist cap, and instead, don the digital beanie of their in-house virtual correspondent.” He wasn’t paid to keep it positive. He wrote about builders and eccentrics, but then in August of that year, he reported on a tax revolt against Linden Lab (a complaint about the fees it charges users who build stuff) led by a resident whose avatar was a big cat. Second Life has always been less of a video game and more of a virtual world where people can live, hang out, make art, sell virtual items and flirt. Back in 2007, Au described touring it as “sort of like underwater lucid dreaming.” For the past two decades, Au has maintained New World Notes as an independent publication. But he said he’s been drawn back to Second Life and Linden Lab as a place to directly work. The virtual world has around 650,000 monthly active users, he said, “which is actually about what it was during the hype wave.” Au says he’s still finding rich stories in Second Life, the kind that keep him interested 20 years into the beat: “Over the last few months for instance, I wrote about an SL creator in Venezuela whose apartment was destroyed by the earthquakes, so the global SL community rallied to get him back on his feet,” he told me. “Then there’s the woman from a Middle Eastern country who explored her lesbian sexuality in SL, then earned enough from her virtual jewelry to escape her abusive family situation and country.” Au wants to beckon more reporters to give Second Life another look. He argues that it is often ahead of internet trends, noting, for example, an early backlash in the community against AI-made art. Now the platform is drawing curiosity from more of the user-generated content community who’ve grown up with the likes of Roblox, according to Au. “Second Life was too early during its hype wave in 2005-2010, but it now feels right for a new wave of interest,” he told me.
Eupora police seize THC vapes, kratom in business raids
Most of the seized items were THCA vapes. Officers also seized edibles, drinks and shots, and pills, along with U.S. currency.
Lori Harris named Chief Nursing Officer of Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
As CNO,Harris will be the senior nursing leader at VPH, overseeing nursing operations and helping shape the hospital’s strategic direction.
Fort Bragg Veteran celebrates expansion of high-end experiential entertainment brand
Photo provided by EscapologyAfter 15 years as an Army officer at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville resident Dan Cooke transitioned to business ownership to bring high-end experiential entertainment to North Carolina, applying strict military operational systems to scale his footprint across the state.Cooke got his start in the Army’s Boots to Business program.“Boots to Business was instrumental in preparing me to start a company. The program taught me how to develop a business plan, conduct market and financial analysis and critically evaluate whether a business concept was actually viable,” shared Cooke. “What made the program particularly valuable was that the instructors and mentors had real-world business experience…At the end of the course, I had to present and defend that plan. From there, they directed me to SCORE, where mentors helped me further refine the plan. I eventually presented it to a bank, which was impressed with the level of preparation, and I secured the financing necessary to build the business.”As Cooke neared the end of his military career, he began to wonder what would come next. Through his faith and some valuable mentors, he found the right avenue for his entrepreneurial interests.“While working on my instrument pilot rating, my flight instructor happened to tell me about escape rooms and the economics behind building them. He thought they could make for an interesting business. I took the analytical skills I had developed in the military, along with what I learned through Boots to Business, and began comparing the escape-room model against other opportunities I was considering,” explained Cooke. Cooke opened his first Escapology location in Fayetteville in 2019.“My approach was to start small and prove the model. Fayetteville made sense because I was already there, understood the market and could minimize my initial risk. It also became clear very quickly that I needed a partner that could provide the creative design, branding and industry knowledge that I did not have. After researching a number of options, Escapology became that partner,” added Cooke.Following the success of his initial venue in Fayetteville and a venue in Charlotte that opened in 2023, Cooke recently expanded into Raleigh with his third Escapology venue at Crabtree Valley Mall.His North Carolina footprint now includes:Fayetteville: A 5-room venue launched right after his Army transition in 2019.Charlotte: A 10-room venue opened in 2023, doubling his original operational footprint.Raleigh (Crabtree Valley Mall): A 6-room venue opened in May 2026, with plans to expand to 10 full rooms.Beyond his venues, Cooke expanded his local footprint by launching Jade Solutions in Aberdeen, N.C., an OEM manufacturing business that now builds prop and technical solutions for Escapology venues systemwide.Cooke shared that his long-term goal is to continue expanding Escapology in a healthy and sustainable way while enjoying the journey. “I actually did not start an entertainment business because I personally loved escape rooms. I started a business because I love the game of business itself. Growing up, I loved military simulation games and business tycoon games. I eventually had the opportunity to experience the first of those in the real world — I went to war, led troops and played my part in the military. Today, I would much rather apply that same drive to the real-world game of building businesses.I don't play business computer games anymore. I get to wake up and do it for real every day,” shared Cooke.
Airbnb names Pepijn Rijvers chief business officer
The former Tripadvisor and Booking.com leader succeeds Dave Stephenson as Airbnb furthers its hotel strategy.
People-First Executive Drives Community Effort to Improve Health in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, September 2, 2026 — Through the American Heart Association’s Heart of Kansas City campaign, Mark Garrett, volunteer chair and Chief People Officer at Garney will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in Kansas City has...
WakeMed loses two top executives as proposed merger with Atrium looms
Thomas Gough, WakeMed’s chief operating officer, has been named COO at Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida. Seth Brody, WakeMed’s chief physician executive, has joined UNC Health.
MNPD: Mental health team not on scene before North Nashville officer-involved shooting
Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow.
Voices of Our Youth Gala celebrated the impact a mentor can have
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COLORADO Denver News: When chief executive officer Elycia Cook extended an invitation to the 2026 Big Little Gala, Voices of Our Youth, it came with a note advising that it would be an evening that was “Very impactful. There will be some beautiful testimonies and some tears of joy.” She wasn’t kidding. […]
Augusta Health CFO Joe Meador Appointed by Governor Spanberger to Virginia Board of Medical Assistance Services
Gubernatorial appointment places Augusta Health executive on the state board overseeing Medicaid coverage for more than 1.7 million Virginians FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA — Augusta Health today announced that Joe Meador, CPA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to the Virginia Board of Medical Assistance Services (BMAS), the […]
Pajaro Valley Unified hires new chief business officer after years of CBO turnover
Pajaro Valley Unified School District's governing board hired Victoria Knutson, currently Newark Unified's chief business officer, to fill the CBO role at a $248,418 salary — the district's fourth person in that position in roughly three years, as trustees hope her experience will help guide upcoming school closures.
New report to shed light on lasting health impact of 9/11 rescue effort
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the FDNY is set to release a new report detailing the long-term health effects of the rescue and recovery effort on firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, officers and other responders.
New report to shed light on lasting health impact of 9/11 rescue effort
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the FDNY is set to release a new report detailing the long-term health effects of the rescue and recovery effort on firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, officers and other responders.
Airbnb announces Pepijn Rijvers as Chief Business Officer
Airbnb announces Pepijn Rijvers as Chief Business Officer
‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch
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. On Thursday, August 27, Bit Reactor’s debut title, Star Wars Zero Company, released to stellar reviews. And, from the Gamescom show in Cologne, Germany, studio co-founder Greg Foertsch was giving interviews discussing what the studio’s next game may be. But for many developers on the game, launch has been bittersweet. Fans love it. Critics prefer it to most recent Star Wars games. Zero Company, which is out for PS5, Xbox Series consoles and PC, is the top-selling game on Steam. Much of the team that made it, however, is currently going without pay. They were furloughed, just weeks ahead of the game’s launch. A rep for Bit Reactor confirmed to Game File today that the studio had furloughed many of its workers prior to the game’s release. They said it was a difficult decision and one that had been made before it was clear how launch would go. The rep emphasized that the call to do this was Bit Reactor’s alone (meaning not from publisher EA nor Star Wars license holder Disney). While the rep declined to comment on the scale of the furloughs, a previously unreported lawsuit brought by studio co-founder Alison Kelly in 2024 noted in a filing from August 12 of this year that Bit Reactor “has furloughed most of its employees and terminated contractors…” One source told Game File the furloughs impacted 80% of the team; another referred to there only being a skeleton crew left on Bit Reactor’s active payroll, ready to address any of Zero Company’s post-launch bugs. The issue is that Bit Reactor, a studio formed in 2021, had run out of most of its money just ahead of the launch of its first game. Over the weekend, Zachariah Scott, a senior technical artist who worked at Bit Reactor from early 2023 until an acrimonious exit this past May, said on LinkedIn that the studio was “concealing the fact that the team was Furloughed weeks ago.” Reached by phone today, Scott told Game File that he spoke to nearly a dozen Bit Reactor workers over the weekend. “Everybody has essentially the same story, which is, ‘Yeah, I got furloughed three weeks ago.” The Bit Reactor rep told Game File that the studio hoped to bring furloughed workers back, suggesting that a successful launch of the game could be impactful. Scott told Game File that workers he spoke to were less confident that even if there were returns, that all who were furloughed would get their old jobs again. A heated dispute Bit Reactor’s mid-2026 was almost even more tumultuous. The lawsuit by co-founder Alison Kelly that first revealed the furloughs was initially slated to go to trial in June. The suit is a she-said/he-said about whether Kelly, until 2024 the chief operating officer of Bit Reactor, was a co-owner of the studio or whether it was solely owned by Greg Foertsch. In July 2024, Kelly sued, saying she was pushed out by Foertsch. She first sued in federal court and later refiled in Maryland’s Baltimore County, alleging breach of contract and that Foertsch had unjustly enriched himself. Kelly cited damages of over $20 million, on the basis of Bit Reactor allegedly being worth more than double that. Foertsch’s side has said Kelly was never a co-owner and has countered with claims about her job performance (which she has denied). The June trial was postponed until early 2027, as both sides have been deposing witnesses and filing more claims and denials along the way. Amid all of that, filings in the lawsuit reviewed by Game File paint a picture about Bit Reactor’s origins, early aspirations around tactics games, the team’s breakthrough in drawing the attention of Electronic Arts with the help of a pitch tied to one of EA’s non-Star Wars franchises, and early fractures among its co-founders. The real story about the company behind Zero Company
Can this unlikely pair reshape Israeli politics?
In Israel’s divided politics, an Islamist leader is teaming up with a former Israeli police officer. CNN’s Tal Shalev explains that the unlikely pairing hopes to break new ground as they reshape what’s possible and address the everyday issues that affect the country’s Arab population.
Flock Safety cameras face bipartisan scrutiny over privacy and misuse
The issue drew renewed attention after the arrest of a Kentucky police officer accused of misusing the cameras to track his ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times
Atlanta police officers injured responding to mental health call
Atlanta police officers were injured while responding to a mental health call on Forest Park Road, the agency confirmed.
Atlanta police officers shot responding to mental health call
Atlanta police officers were shot while responding to a mental health call on Forest Park Road, the agency confirmed.
Man arrested after firing shot through Texarkana bar’s glass doors, police say
Early Saturday morning, August 29, around 2:55 a.m., officers with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department responded to Whiskey River Bar and Grill, about a disturbance.
N.M. city's pilot program connects business owners with police for quick responses
Albuquerque PD's "Adopt a Business" Program pairs officer liaisons with businesses, giving owners a direct line of contact for non-emergency responses
WHO releases US$150 000 emergency funds to support Nepal’s flood response
The World Health Organization has released US$150 000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to support urgent health and other needs of the communities impacted by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, one of the worst tragedies in the country in recent times. “The emergency funds will support immediate response priorities. WHO is committed to supporting Nepal through the response and recovery efforts,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. Earlier, within hours of the flash floods on 26 August, WHO mobilized and dispatched essential emergency medical supplies, including an Interagency Emergency Health Kit that can cater to the health needs of nearly 10 000 people for 3 months, along with multipurpose tents.