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Duncan Sheik, Tony Award-winning composer, dies at 56
Duncan Sheik attends 'The Broadway Legacy Foundation Launch' at the Broadway Museum on November 11, 2025 in New York City. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)Duncan Sheik, the Tony Award-winning composer behind Spring Awakening and more, has died, according to his Instagram. He was 56.The Friday morning Instagram post said the "father, husband, son, brother, and friend" died on Thursday night "surrounded by love."A message shared on Sheik's Instagram earlier this week by his family said he was "receiving medical care" and was "in critical but stable condition.""The world has a lost a singular talent, and deeply influential voice in music and theater," Friday's statement said. "From his Grammy-nominated hit “Barely Breathing” to his groundbreaking, Tony and Grammy Award-winning work on Spring Awakening, Duncan’s artistry touched many and leaves an indelible mark on the cultural landscape."Born on Nov. 18, 1969, in Montclair, New Jersey, Sheik rose to fame in 1996 when he released his self-titled debut album, which included his hit song, "Barely Breathing."The song peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned him a Grammy nomination for best male pop vocal performance.Following his debut album, he released Humming in 1998, Phantom Moon in 2001 and Daylight in 2002.While "Barely Breathing" established Sheik as a singer-songwriter, his career later expanded into musical theater, where he found success as a composer.Sheik collaborated with lyricist Steven Sater and composed the music for Spring Awakening, which opened on Broadway in 2006.He told Broadcast Music, Inc. in 2015 that around the time he was making the music for Spring Awakening, he wasn't "a huge fan" of music that was happening on Broadway and he wanted to make the music for an audience "beyond the normal crowd that would go to a Broadway musical."The rock musical, based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 play and starring Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, John Gallagher and Skylar Astin, became a major success. It won eight Tony Awards in 2007, including best musical, best original score and best orchestrations.He went on to compose music for several other stage productions, including American Psycho and Because of Winn-Dixie. He also collaborated with Sater again on Alice by Heart and The Secret Life of Bees.In his interview with Broadcast Music, Inc., he added that working on musical theater has "helped broaden my palette."Sheik went on to release several more albums throughout his career, including White Limousine, Whisper House, Covers 80s, Legerdemain and Claptrap.In May, it was announced that Sheik's new musical, Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, would make its off-Broadway debut this fall. The musical is based on Moyoco Anno's manga graphic novel of the same name.An off-Broadway revival of Spring Awakening is also set to open this fall. Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Exclusive | The Super Donor Quarterbacking Michigan Sports: Larry Ellison’s Wife
University of Michigan graduate Jolin Ellison wields a deep pocket and a powerful voice directed at winning football and basketball games.
A Familiar Voice Is Returning to the 76ers
Matt Cord is back after a brief retirement. Cord decided to give it one last run with the new additions to the team.
‘Barely Breathing’ singer Duncan Sheik, 56, hospitalized in critical condition
NEW YORK — Duncan Sheik, the voice behind the 1996 single “Barely Breathing” and Tony Award-winning composer of “Spring Awakening,” is currently hospitalized. Sheik’s family offered a health update in
‘I want Hasan Piker to go away!’: Michigan congresswoman voices frustration after left-wing streamer’s recent interview
‘Geologists are part of a solution’: How Adam Milewski went from aspiring lawyer to science advocate
For most of his early life, Adam Milewski was convinced he was going to be a lawyer. He didn't feel particularly drawn to pursue a legal career, but everyone else told him he should pursue it. “As the youngest of five kids, I felt like I had to have a voice,” he said. “I never
DeMar DeRozan spurred NBA’s mental health conversation. His voice is only growing louder
As he joins a new team, DeRozan looks to make the most of his remaining time in the NBA and create meaningful change outside of basketball.
The Fed hiked rates. Here's what economic experts say could come next.
The Fed raised rates for the first time in three years, and smart voices in finance are weighing in on whether more hikes are coming.
Your Entertainment Escape Ep. 46 – The Voice Cast of Bat-Fam and A Look At Fallout Season 2 – YourCentralValley.com
The latest videos from YourCentralValley.com | CBS47 and KSEE24
Google Home app brings battery-efficient widget, reduces gray device tiles
Google today is also rolling out Home app (especially for the homescreen widget) and Gemini for Home voice assistant updates.
Oracle Health extends clinical AI agent to inpatient nurses
Oracle Health is building out its generative AI capabilities for inpatient nursing workflows. The company announced the U.S. | The clinical AI agent, embedded directly within the Oracle Health Foundation EHR, combines voice-driven chart navigation and search, acute nursing summaries and voice-enabled discrete charting.
Original ‘The Voice’ winner found dead in lake
Ben Saunders, the first winner of “The Voice of Holland,” has died at age 43 after being found in a lake in the Netherlands.
Ben Saunders, first winner of original version of “The Voice”, found dead in lake at 43
Dutch police told EW that there was “no crime involved” in the death.
‘The Voice’ franchise first-ever winner found dead in lake at 43
Ben Saunders, the first winner of the original iteration of ‘The Voice’, has been found dead in a lake at 43.
ESPN rewards Joe Buck with massive Monday Night Football extension
ESPN is keeping its primary MNF voice for at least another six NFL seasons.
Blackwood Pumpkin Festival will bring 200+ vendors, food trucks and live entertainment to South Jersey
The free Oct. 4 festival will take over downtown Blackwood with pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, inflatables and games.
Bishop Hill event will feature entertainment, demonstrations
Visitors to Bishop Hill on Sept. 26 and 27 will see how the early residents of the colony harvested their crops and performed other tasks. The event, Jordbruksdagarna, is organized by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association with support from a number of other community agencies. Activities planned for both days are: — Musical performances at the… Continue reading Bishop Hill event will feature entertainment, demonstrations
Former NBA teammates Dorell Wright and Dwyane Wade launch a golf business
The two have teamed up for ACE Members Only, a golf community trying to democratize the sport.
Rittenhouse community rallies to try to save family-owned corner store that's been in business for decades
Facing eviction, Sue's Produce Market has raised $15,000 in a GoFundMe campaign and Her Place Supper Club plans to host a dinner to support the grocer.
Onspire Health Marketing Partners with Vidscrip to Bring Provider-Recorded Video Into Patient Engagement Programs
New capability helps practices personalize patient communications and strengthen their digital presence using their providers’ own voicesKansas City, MO, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onspire Health Marketing today announced a partnership with Vidscrip that gives healthcare practices a simple way to incorporate provider-recorded video into automated patient communications, practice websites and digital marketing. The initial rollout focuses on independent specialty practices, with potential
Cherokee Nation partners with Griffin Media to expand reach of OsiyoTV
Cherokee Nation is partnering with Griffin Media to expand access to its Emmy award-winning series “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People.”
"50X50: SCIENCE ACROSS AMERICA" GOES LIVE TODAY, UNITING THE BEST YOUTUBE CREATORS IN THE FIRST-EVER STATE-BY-STATE MEDIA INITIATIVE
50x50: Science Across America, the first-ever nationwide media initiative to spotlight a YouTube creator in every U.S. state, officially launches today. The project unites a roster of creators paired with local scientists, whose channels command a combined total of more than 90 million YouTube subscribers — the biggest coordinated gathering of independent science voices ever assembled for a single campaign.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® UNVEILS SHOW-STOPPING ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP ABOARD NORWEGIAN AURA™ WITH "WHITNEY: A CELEBRATION OF WHITNEY HOUSTON" TAKING CENTER STAGE
- The New Original Production, Developed with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, Celebrates the Unmistakable Voice, Music and Legacy of...
Ranking Members Markey, Velázquez, American Small Businesses Fight Back Against Trump SBA’s Discriminatory Anti-Immigrant Lending Policies
More than 120 small businesses and organizations pen letter of support for Ranking Member Markey’s resolution striking down Trump’s ban on awarding SBA loans to green card holders Letter (PDF) (Washington, September 15) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today garnered additional support from Main Street small businesses for his Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind the Trump administration’s discriminatory policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. In a letter of support, more than 120 American small businesses and community organizations, led by Small Business Majority, applauded Ranking Member Markey’s efforts to overturn the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant lending ban and advocated for the passage of Ranking Member Markey’s CRA resolution in the Senate. House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) is leading the resolution in the House of Representatives. The Trump administration’s green card holder ban is the most recent escalation of SBA’s draconian citizenship restrictions that are killing jobs and putting the American Dream further out of reach for entrepreneurs. In Fiscal Year 2025, Trump’s SBA made an estimated $5.5 billion in loans to green card holders, which supported more than 80,000 jobs nationwide. “The Trump administration’s continued attacks on American small businesses and jobs are anti-American, they’re discriminatory, and they’re dragging down our communities and our economy. Thanks to partners like Small Business Majority, countless small businesses, and community organizations, we are fighting back and holding them accountable,” said Ranking Member Markey. “I will not stop fighting to rescind this hateful policy that attacks American entrepreneurs and prevents them from pursuing the American Dream.” “Small businesses and organizations across the country are sending a clear message that the Trump administration's discriminatory lending rules are bad for business,” said Ranking Member Velázquez. “I want to thank Small Business Majority for leading this effort and amplifying the voices of the entrepreneurs who create jobs and strengthen our local economies. As Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, I will keep pushing to stop these attacks on the American Dream and ensure that every eligible entrepreneur can access the capital they need to succeed.” In the letter, the small businesses write, “Congress must reaffirm its commitment to serving those who are rightfully and legally entitled to accessing key government guaranteed loan programs in pursuit of the American Dream. Restoring access to responsible, government-guaranteed loans for such a critical segment of our economy will allow thousands of small businesses to access the capital they require to grow and invest in American communities. If Congress does not act to protect access to the very ideals that our country was founded upon by rewarding those who adhere strictly to legal immigration pathways, local economies, communities and Main Street will pay the price.” Ranking Member Markey’s CRA resolution follows his introduction of the Investing in the American Dream Act alongside Ranking Member Velázquez earlier this year. The Investing in the American Dream Act would roll back the SBA’s draconian lending restrictions and restore previous SBA lending policies for immigrant entrepreneurs lawfully in the U.S., including green card holders, refugees, and asylees. More than 100 organizations have called for the passage of the legislation and more than 60 Massachusetts state legislators have raised concerns about the impact of the citizenship restrictions in their local communities. Ranking Member Markey is fighting for small business owners and immigrants that rely on SBA loans to start and run their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to their communities. In July, Ranking Member Markey and Ranking Member Velázquez introduced a bicameral resolution to rescind the Trump administration’s policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential SBA loans to start and grow their businesses and invest in Main Streets nationwide. In May, Ranking Member Markey highlighted the significant contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs in Massachusetts and across the country and condemned the Trump administration’s repeated attacks on immigrant communities at a Small Business Committee hearing. MIRA’s Elizabeth Sweet, who participated in Ranking Member Markey’s listening session earlier in May, provided testimony at the hearing. Also in May, Ranking Member Markey hosted a listening session at the Urban College of Boston to hear directly from several Massachusetts immigrant small business owners, lenders, and chambers of commerce how President Trump’s cruel and callous anti-immigrant policies are hurting Main Streets in the Bay State. Earlier in May, Ranking Member Markey hosted a press conference alongside Ranking Member Velázquez, Democratic lawmakers, and stakeholders to condemn the Trump administration’s harmful anti-immigrant lending policies and to introduce the Investing in the American Dream Act. In March, Ranking Member Markey released a comprehensive report detailing the harms to small business owners, workers, and consumers caused by the Trump administration’s ICE raids in communities across the country. In February, Ranking Member Markey introduced the Small Business ICE Disruption Fund Act, which would provide grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the Trump administration’s violent immigration enforcement actions on Main Streets across the United States. Earlier in February, Ranking Member Markey, Ranking Member Velázquez, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) sent a letter urging the SBA to rescind their lending rule change that bars legal permanent residents from receiving SBA loans. Previously, Ranking Members Markey and Velázquez released a statement condemning the actions of the SBA after it announced that small businesses with legal permanent residents will be barred from receiving SBA loans. In December 2025, Ranking Member Markey and all Democratic members of the Senate Small Business Committee sent a letter to the SBA reiterating concerns with the SBA’s citizenship requirements and highlighting a drop in SBA lending volume. In September 2025, Ranking Member Markey heard directly from SBA lenders about the issues with the citizenship verification requirements. In July 2025, Ranking Members Markey and Velázquez sent a letter to the SBA expressing serious concerns with the agency’s new, draconian citizenship verification requirements that require small businesses seeking SBA loans to be 100% owned by U.S. citizens, nationals, and legal permanent residents. ###
Community businesses need to show up in AI search, not just Google
Community businesses need to adapt to AI search to improve local visibility. It helps them connect with nearby customers and stay competitive as search behavior evolves.
Mental health event set for Oct. 10 at Selby Gardens
Collective Voices: From Silence to Strength focuses on veterans, PTSD and community healing
Voicemod’s new pocket-friendly device brings real-time voice changing to your phone
Voicemod’s real-time voice changing comes to iOS and Android.
How observation and connection can avert mental health crises
WWSB Empowering Voices - Saturday at 10am
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Voice Actors Officially Revealed
The voices behind the characters
Cornell scientists win History Center treasure hunt, claim $10,000 bounty of jewels
A motley crew of mostly Cornell University graduate students and scientists from across different STEM programs won the History Center in Tompkins County’s Treasure Hunt Sunday, taking home a prize […]
Latina business owner creates a literacy hub for diverse voices
Spanish Teacher expands mobile book store to brick and mortar in Bellmore.
New community health fellowship seeks to activate small businesses
Small business owners have the opportunity to develop their voices as advocates for community health through a new fellowship offered by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. The Small Business Health Fellowship held its first cohort last year with the goal of providing small business owners information and resources around social drivers of health, which are the…
GTA 6's first confirmed actor is King of the Hill's Stephen Root: "It's an amazing thing to look at"
Rockstar Games hasn't said anything about GTA 6's voice cast, but Stephen Root just let slip that he's playing a new character in the open-world romp.
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
TiVo launches Agent TiVo for AI entertainment discovery
Viewers could spend less time searching and more time watching as TiVo adds conversational AI search across fragmented TV and streaming catalogues.
Prolonged sitting is linked to an array of adverse health effects, even for people who are physically active
A growing body of research shows that extended periods of sitting increase risk of cancer and other diseases.
This Common Health Problem Is Linked to a 58 Percent Higher Risk of Cognitive Decline, New Study Finds
A study of more than 833,000 adults found that one trait was associated with a higher risk of dementia.
Dolly Parton’s first posthumous song ‘Bound to Ride’ released
Dolly Parton continues to share her voice with fans, even after her death. Parton will be featured on an upcoming all-star tribute album titled “Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers.”
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
Baltimore Orioles Player Voices Frustration After Loss to Blue Jays
A player on the Baltimore Orioles voiced his frustration after a loss to the Blue Jays.
Several Syracuse Alums to Feature Prominently in 2026 NFL Broadcasts
With a fully loaded Week 1 slate on Sunday, here are some of the voices that you'll hear.
SCDPH seeks Lowcountry high school students for youth health advisory council
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) is forming a Lowcountry Youth Advisory Council to give local high school students a voice in shaping de…
MC Lyte is taking the long way to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fa...
BLACKPRESSUSA—Long before hip-hop was old enough to have a Hall of Fame generation, MC Lyte came out of Brooklyn with a voice too enormous to belong to a teenag...
Buena Vista Chamber's Business After Hours Returns on Tuesday, September 15 - by Carly Winchell
The Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce announced that it is bringing back its Business After Hours event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September
Lindsay Clancy mistrial leaves criminal justice students divided over mental health concerns
The Voice of the Seton Hall Community.
Dodgers Post Argues Shohei Ohtani’s Season-Ending Injury, ‘He’s Done’
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar is “done for the season,” argued one prominent voice around the team.
After AfD's record result: Voices from Saxony-Anhalt
The far-right AfD won a record result in Saxony-Anhalt. Why are so many voters backing the party, while others fear what comes next? DW travels across the state to hear from voters, business owners, and immigrants.
Local businessman announces write-in campaign against Carol Ammons
Keith Smith of Champaign: “This is not about tearing anyone down. It is about offering voters another direction and another voice.”
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
Squabbles like the one between HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro spark confusion and breed mistrust.
Atlas Extends Top-Performer Sales Conversations Beyond Business Hours With AI Agents
Atlas is helping service businesses address after-hours leads with AI agents trained to clone owners and top performers. Atlas Voice and Atlas B...
Dolly Parton’s first posthumous song ‘Bound to Ride’ released
Dolly Parton continues to share her voice with fans, even after her death. Parton will be featured on an upcoming all-star tribute album titled “Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating
Mental Health Webinar Series: Your Vote. Your Voice. Your Health.
Join APHA for an important conversation about voting, health, disability, and civic participation.
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
Jewish Voice for Peace Action has endorsed the campaign of Abdul El-Sayed, and has launched “Jews for Abdul” to garner support for the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee. El-Sayed also gained the support of other prominent Jewish community members, former office holders and federal administration officials. The group issued an open letter detailing why they were […]
Politics Friday: How 9/11 changed Minnesota and the nation
Friday at noon, we kick off a season to cover the midterm election. For the next several weeks, we'll bring you interviews with candidates, voices of voters and some head-to-head debates. It’s just a taste of what's in store as Election Day approaches where the state will pick a new governor, U.S. senator and much more.
TiVo Bows AI-Powered 'Agent TiVo' Entertainment Guide
TiVo Platform Technologies has launched “Agent TiVo,” a new conversational AI-powered entertainment software designed to transform how operators and entertainment platforms help consumers discover and engage with content across television and streaming environments. The platform, unveiled at IBC 2026 in Holland, lets viewers interact naturally by voice or text, helping them find content in the … Continue reading "TiVo Bows AI-Powered ‘Agent TiVo’ Entertainment Guide"
'Remove Barriers And Elevate Student Voice': HFHS Science Teacher Among 100 Selected For Advocate Program
She designs "engaging, real-world learning experiences that help students make connections across body systems, genetics and evolution."
Swiftkey Copies Pixel 11's Awesome Rambler Feature
With the arrival of the Pixel 11 series, it’s clear now that the star of the launch is the new Rambler voice-to-text feature. We’ve talked about it a number of times now, but other new Pixel 11 owners are talking about it just as much. Unfortunately, this is currently a Pixel 11 series feature and...
Thousands of kids breathed in dust from 9/11. Now adults, they may have health issues tied to these exposures
A federal program that provides free medical care to Sept. 11 survivors is attempting to reach young adults who may be unaware that their health issues are connected.
The Not-So-Secret Winner in Netflix and YouTube’s Streaming Wars Battle
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Here’s a good piece of advice: when someone tells you a company has “won” the streaming wars, just assume they haven’t. Remember the narratives about the streaming media over the last few years: 2024 - Netflix has won the streaming wars! 2025 - YouTube has won the streaming wars! Yet…in 2026, I’d categorize it as… 2026 - Netflix and YouTube are battling for talent! Netflix and YouTube are aggressively fighting for top creators, marking a fierce new battle in the streaming wars. For two companies that “won”, that certainly doesn’t seem like winning behavior. If you win, you don’t have to fight for talent, because talent has to come to you. This is a good reminder that, if the streaming wars are a war—and I think they are—we should know what type of war they are. So it’s worth revisiting one of my big theories of the streaming wars, that the war these battles most represent is… The Thirty Years’ War1 I prefer this war to other, simpler wars, because, while it featured two “sides”—based on religion—and the current war has two main sides—tech versus entertainment—it also featured a lot of smaller players battling it out, sometimes switching sides. And that’s still the case for entertainment and media, despite the above headlines. I’d recommend this truism: if someone has to tell you they won the streaming wars, they probably haven’t. To wit, if someone told you they were fighting in the Thirty Years’ War—and no, they didn’t call it that at the time—and in year five, they told you they won, well, obviously they had 25 more years to go. That’s a lot of preamble to say, the story of the week is the latest battles between YouTube and Netflix. Their battle for talent says a lot about how hard this war will be to win. All that, plus The Curse of the Mogul in action, Netflix providing more (theatrical) data, whether Apple TV is in trouble, AMC getting in on distribution, and a whole lot more. Subscribe Today’s article is sponsored by… Substack is hosting a live Emmys watch party, starting at 5PM on the East Coast (2PM on the West Coast) on Monday, 14-Sep. Check it out! Tune In Most Important Story of the Week - Who’s the Big Winner in the Netflix vs YouTube Showdown? Netflix spent a lot in 2025, and then even more in 2026 adding a host of “creators”—both podcasters and YouTube stars—to their TV lineup. Frankly, for years, I’ve thought that more major studios/streamers/channels should look to YouTube as the launching pad for future stars and IP. Either by poaching proven talent—albeit at good prices—or by treating YouTube as an arena for your “A&R” reps to scout new talent and emerging voices. Netflix started executing the former strategy—which I thought was smart—while Focus Features did the latter with Obsession. So what changed? YouTube finally responded! Yikes. That’s a strong response, and stronger than I’d argue most narratives about YouTube suggest. People often describe YouTube as a self-reinforcing flywheel of success. Get on YouTube or perish. So why did YouTube have to respond? Because other folks poaching their top talent could really damage their business, implying their flywheel is a pinch more rickety than most analysis suggests. Clearly, creators can envision a life off YouTube and potentially a much more lucrative one. The Curse of the Media Mogul is Playing Out In Real Time 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… Who is the big winner in the Netflix versus YouTube battle… The biggest question about YouTube… Plus why YouTube’s saber rattling should worry talent… Why I’m skeptical that a U.S. federal tax credit for film will happen… What key change could pull Apple from the streaming business. AMC getting in on distribution… Some great reads on the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Why the CMO’s next chapter is becoming a true business leader again
The CMO was once a true partner to the CEO, grounded in a shared language of customers, margins and growth. That alignment ensured marketing had a permanent voice in the room where budgets were set and strategic bets were made. This was the era when figures like David Ogilvy were not just advertising leaders, but […]
Beloved anime voice actor dies at 56 after cancer battle: report
Mike McFarland, the veteran voice actor known for bringing characters in some of the world’s most popular anime series to English-speaking audiences, has died at age 56, according to multiple…
The Central American Voices Film Festival is coming to Los Angeles
The Central American Voices Film Festival (CAVFF) is a Los Angeles–based film festival taking place this weekend and is dedicated to amplifying the stories, cultures, and creative voices of filmmakers
Skill games could be seized from Pa. businesses in October, state police warn
In June, the state Supreme Court ruled the gambling machines are unconstitutional. Lawmakers must regulate them by Oct. 13.
Politics, The Vote And The Black Church - The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Today, the Black Church is a key stop on the agenda of every political candidate seeking a sure vote. This is why so many of them race to the church to be seen and smiled at, the Sunday before every election.
Data center developers launch Infrastructure for America
Data center developers Compass Datacenters, Digital Realty, QTS and Vantage Data Centers have launched Infrastructure for America (IFA), a newly formed 501(c)(4) organization that is a national platform giving voice to the people who build, power, support and benefit from data centers across the United States, according to a news release. IFA will support constructive,…
Science Says: It's OK to Hate the Heat
You hate it. I hate it. We all hate it. It’s ——- hot! But are we being pampered Southern Californians brats who can’t handle a real summer? No, says science! […]
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman appears in surprise video at GOP midterm convention
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman praised his fellow senator from his home state, GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, in a surprise video appearance at the GOP midterm convention, and condemned the rise of far-left voices in his own party.
Eye on Scams: Fake invoices sent to local business
Acadiana's Local News Leader -- bringing Lafayette the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment
AirPods 5 Announced With Improved Noise Cancellation, Audio Quality, and More
Apple today introduced AirPods 5, bringing Active Noise Cancellation to its entry-level wireless earbuds at a starting price of $129. Apple says AirPods 5 remove up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. A redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ also promise richer, more detailed sound, while an improved Transparency mode makes nearby voices and sounds more natural.
Xbox is bringing back startup animations from its console history
Xbox Insiders will also be able to test a new search feature, improved Remote Play quality, and clearer voice chat.
Community members raise concerns about Flock cameras, New Chauncey
The addition of Flock cameras and updates to the New Chauncey neighborhood plan led to community concerns being voiced at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Official IKEA Mod Features Matt Berry as a Kallax Storage Companion
What We Do in the Shadows' Matt Berry voices an IKEA Kallax bookcase in a free official Creation for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Parlance Brings Verified Push Notification Security to Health System IT Help Desks on ServiceNow Store
/PRNewswire/ -- Parlance, a healthcare voice AI company, today announced the availability of its help desk intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) on the...
John Fetterman, Marjorie Taylor Greene will headline TribFest
Two of American politics’ most unique and least predictable voices bookend our three days of live journalism.
Hundreds protest plans to close Philly's Academy of Natural Sciences: "We're going to make our voices heard"
The 98 Biggest TV Show Flops, Bombs and Misses in the First Half of 2026
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) In July, I updated my look at how the “streaming bubble” popped since 2023, showing the decline in streaming TV shows over time. But after compiling and analyzing and writing about over one hundred TV show flops in the first half of 2026—I counted 99 “nominees” and there are even more honorable mentions—I couldn’t have told you that the number of shows is going down. When it comes to scripted, English-language TV shows, it feels like we have as many bombs as ever. I don’t keep a specific count, but some streamers probably had as many flops as they’ve ever had.1 That’s right, it’s time for part two of my analysis of the biggest flops, bombs and misses on streaming in the first half of 2026. Two weeks ago, I took a look at films. Today, TV shows. If you want to read the full methodology for how I assemble this list, you can find it at the bottom of this article. In short, this list is… ...scripted and unscripted TV shows,...from the nine major streamers,...in the US (using US-only ratings),...excluding true crime, kids and foreign-language shows,...that got no/poor ratings,...from Jan-2026 to the end of June-2026. Reminder: this article does not represent my personal opinion—many of these shows are great!—but I follow the data, and a miss is a miss and a bomb is a bomb. Also, price matters. If a TV show costs north of $100 million, it needs to get lots and lots of streaming viewership to justify that budget. As with past editions, I ordered this list by streamer, going from best (fewest flops) to worst (the most misses)—taking the size of the flops into consideration—and like the last edition, three or four streamers vied to take the win/loss of having the most flops. (But the actual winner is no surprise.) I try to avoid tooting my own horn too much, but seriously, in just under 5,000 words (including the methodology section) I provide a mostly comprehensive overview of the eight major streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Apple TV) for the first half of the year, mentioning most of their hits and all their misses. It summarizes the entire first half of 2026! If you want to support this work, please subscribe. Subscribe Tubi Big Mood Boarders The Freak Brothers Twenty Twenty Six Honorable Mentions: Busted on Bodycam, Deestroying the Pitch, Destination World Cup 2026 I don’t think that Tubi spends all that much making or (mostly) licensing these original TV shows—Big Mood, Boarders and Twenty Twenty Six all come from the UK—but they’re not free and they didn’t chart anywhere. Winner: The Freak Brothers Have you even heard of this show? It’s an animated comedy...that’s on its third season! And Pete Davidson, Woody Harrelson, John Goodman and Tiffany Haddish all provide voice talent for it. Yes, animated shows don’t cost as much as live action shows, but cheap isn’t free! So a show with this level of talent needs to perform better. Disney+ Daredevil: Born Again Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Honorable Mentions: Behind the Attraction, Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, We Call It Imagineering Disney+ doesn’t make all that many original shows anymore. They had two flops, and one was animated. Their one not-a-miss show, Wonder Man, got just good enough viewership to not be considered a “miss”...but it’s since been cancelled. At this point, Disney has pivoted entirely away from making big budget TV shows for Disney+ to making...almost nothing for Disney+? Sure, Disney’s spending circa 2019-2022 was unsustainable, but now they’re pivoting too far in the other direction. At some point, Disney needs to stop shifting strategies so wildly. Really, Disney should have made fewer shows for Disney+ at launch and the shows they did make at that time needed to be made at more reasonable budgets. And they should adopt that strategy now. Winner: Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil, the Marvel Comics character, is on my personal Mount Rushmore of favorite superheroes, so it pains me to give him the win/loss today, but this show deserves it. I’ll repeat my hot take from last spring: “Based on his popularity, Daredevil should be in movies, and probably ones that cost a lot less than the MCU’s usual price tag. Disney/Bob Iger/Ike Perlmutter (who, based on reporting, made the decision) made a huge mistake selling TV shows to Netflix in the 2010s, thus limiting this character to the small screen. Daredevil could have anchored Marvel’s post-Infinity War plans, and if he did, the MCU would probably be in a better place than it is now.” HBO Max 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… What four streamers had the most misses... HBO’s strong start to 2026… The caveat to Peacock’s turnaround this year... Paramount+’s key man problem… What country isn’t delivering hits for Netflix or Hulu... The cavalcade of stars on a streamer where no one is watching their shows... Across nearly 5,000 words of analysis… And a lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you’d like to read more about why you should subscribe, please read this article about the Streaming Ratings Report, why it matters, why you need it, and why we cover streaming ratings best.
At rally to save Academy of Natural Sciences museum, protesters urge Drexel to 'act like it's an emergency'
Local lawmakers and scientists outlined several options to preserve the museum, which is due to close Sept. 30.
Exclusive: Two of gaming’s biggest names are making a big investment in gaming’s future
The first thing to know about the Nova Games Foundation is that it isn’t about The Game Awards. And it’s not about PlayStation. The ambitious new grant program is the brainchild of Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny. Keighley is the host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest and Opening Night Live. Cerny is a game designer of some 45 years and the lead architect for the PlayStation 4 and 5. But this new thing, which they’re revealing through Game File, isn’t about their day jobs. It’s an unaffiliated, standalone philanthropic project. It’s a bet on the artistic future of video games and a way, they tell me, to give back. “I’m nearing the end of my career,” Cerny recently told me over email. “I’m not done yet, but paying it forward—in the best way possible—is very much on my mind these days,” The Nova Games Foundation is a university-affiliated fellowship program, intended to offer six-figure grants to 20 young game designers each year, potentially for decades to come. It will offer no-strings-attached funding along with mentorship from games industry leaders, a combination intended to aid the development of groundbreaking new games, Cerny and Keighley told me. Nova will begin accepting applications in December, from class of 2026 and 2027 students from 13 affiliated gaming programs at universities in eight countries. The schools working with Nova include the New York University and the University of Southern California in the U.S., along with Abertay University in Scotland, Cnam-Enjmin in France, TH Köln in Germany, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, Cerny and Keighley said. The plan: $100,000 per recipient, with about a quarter of Nova fellows eligible for up to $500,000 more for projects that are shaping up particularly well. Payments will be delivered based on development milestones, and recipients will own their games. Nova will help promote the work, and developers will be free to pursue the publishers and platforms of their choice. Nova can help introduce fellows to publishers, but won’t take a cut. “I’ve always wanted to give back, but given my role in the industry, I’ve never felt it appropriate to commercially invest in games,” Keighley told Game File. “I’ve never owned stock in a game company or taken a financial stake in a game. Nova is philanthropy: we aren’t taking equity or looking to recoup the grants. The return we’re hoping for is creative—helping new voices make games and find their footing. “Mark and I have each made multi-million-dollar donations to establish the foundation, and we intend to keep contributing. We hope others will join us.” Cerny and Keighley have already hired an executive director, John Maconga, and a head of grants, recent Game Developers Conference director Ashley Corrigan, to help launch the effort. They’re working to recruit game industry leaders to join the effort. Keighley says “dozens of leading game directors have already expressed interest in contributing their time.” To name one, they’ve already gotten Josef Fares, lead designer from It Takes Two and Spit Fiction studio Hazelight on board with a donation and pledge to help out. “I’m proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life,” Fares told Game File. A plan forged from a friendship Keighley and Cerny have known each other a long time. It’s been so long, Cerny isn’t even sure exactly when they met. “We travel in much the same circles and I’m sure first intersected in the 90s or early 2000s,“ Cerny said. Keighley thinks it might have been during his stint writing a column about the mid-’90s console 3DO for a gaming magazine while Cerny was working on games with Crystal Dynamics or on Way of the Warrior with Naughty Dog. They became genuine friends about a 10 years ago, Keighley said, as they bonded over a shared love of games and a hope to improve the industry. “About a decade ago, we started having dinner a few times a year in LA,” Keighley said. “Just to catch up on life and the industry. Those conversations continued over Zoom during COVID. Nova grew out of that friendship and a question we kept coming back to: ‘What could we do to help the next generation of game directors get started?’” Keighley credits Cerny with the idea to figure out a way to put their money and time back into the industry. At one of those dinners, Keighley proposed the idea of a fellowship program. He’d recalled applying for a Rhodes Scholarship when he was younger. “Spoiler: I didn’t get it,” he said. He’d admired the MacArthur Foundation’s so-called “genius grants.” He liked these kinds of programs that recognized people’s talents and gave them the financial boost and the freedom to realize their potential. With Cerny, he had pondered what a game industry version of that could be. Keighley liked the idea of centering the fellowship on students, drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Jenova Chen, the USC game design graduate who went on to lead the creation of gently moving, ambitious games such as Flower and Journey. Keighley also thought it could be useful to help promising graduates bridge the transition from student to professional. “Joining an established studio isn’t always possible—especially in today’s market—and even then, it isn’t the right path for everyone,” Keighley said. A fellowship, he realized, could give “graduates the time, resources and guidance to pursue a game of their own and not worry about the commercial viability.” As the idea took shape, Cerny also saw an opportunity to enable more games of a certain type: “The target with the grants is games as an artistic medium,” Cerny told me. “We like to say games with ‘artistic, literary and societal value.’” He added: “I’m a pretty big gamer myself, though I tend to gravitate towards the smaller and more unique or artistic titles, games like Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray or Outer Wilds. I was just playing and Roger on a flight to Japan, and was getting misty eyed to a degree that I was concerned that a flight attendant would ask me if I was OK. “So one fun benefit here is the games that will come out of the Nova Games Foundation – I can’t wait to play them myself.” Cerny believes it will also be useful for Nova fellows to hone their craft and team leadership skills. “We are looking for the next generation of visionaries,” he said. “The trick is that they will also need to have the executive function necessary to drive a small project to completion.” Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Going big with this Keighley and Cerny may have started Nova and may be the ones primarily backing it right now, but they’re dreaming of something that goes beyond them. “Mark and I may have helped get it started, but one of our measures of success is that Nova grows into something the entire games industry feels a sense of ownership in,” Keighley said. “Our ambition is to build a lasting endowment supported by people and companies across the industry, and an equally broad community of creators willing to give their time and experience to the next generation.” The industry has a lot of knowledge that it can pass to the next generation, Keighley said: “Nova can hopefully become a way to connect that generosity with talented young creators at the moment when it can make the biggest difference.” Cerny, who told me he believes Nova can mature “over the next 10 or 20 years,” sees an opportunity to give generations of game makers momentum. “The industry has changed immeasurably since I started in games in 1982,” he said. “These graduates have talent, training and tools that outclass what we had back in the day by an astonishing amount. But they face a tough road ahead getting traction in the industry, and many could benefit from our support. We want to be there to give it to them.” “There’s a personal side to this, too,” Keighley said. “I don’t have children, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I can do for future generations. Games have been my entire career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and helping someone else build a life in this industry feels like a meaningful way to give back.” Cerny’s oeuvre dates back to Marble Madness and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He has stood on stage multiple times to reveal the future of PlayStation hardware. He’s been an executive producer for a string of modern PlayStation classics such as The Last Guardian and Marvel’s Spider-Man. Nevertheless, of Nova, he said, “It’s certainly not like anything I’ve done before.” Nova Foundation applications will be due in December and the first wave of fellows will be announced in March 2027. A full list of participating universities and steps students and recent graduates can take to apply to become a Nova Fellow is forthcoming.
The U.S. bishops are speaking out forcefully on politics—and finally being heard
Prompted by the beginnings of both Leo XIV’s papacy and the second term of Donald J. Trump, the bishops are using their voice in a new way.
Florida IAM Members Focus on Political Mobilization at Fall Conference
The IAM's Florida State Council recently held its fall conference, bringing together union leaders and delegates to focus on political education, voter mobilization, and strengthening the voice of working families across the state. Led by President Mike Phillips, the conference emphasized the importance of supporting pro-labor candidates and increasing member participation in the political process.
How Art Uncovers the Hidden Pain of Endometriosis
See how ANU PhD candidate Susanne Ilschner goes beyond the diagnosis and clinical data, using abstract paintings to give voice to the unspoken pain of women living with endometriosis.
Mike Detillier: More Than a Voice on the Radio
Mike Detillier left an unforgettable mark on Louisiana sports and on the people lucky enough to call him a friend.
WindGroove Introduces AirFi One, a Ceiling-Based Home Entertainment System Combining Hi-Fi Sound, Light, and Airflow
The new premium smart technology brand reimagines the ceiling as an active layer for immersive audio, adaptive lighting, and everyday comfort.
Zhumabek Sarabekov, Director of Institute of World Economy and Politics under Foundation of First President of Republic of Kazakhstan: thanks to BRICS, voice of developing countries grows louder
Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the TV BRICS International Media Network and its media partners conducted a series of interviews with leading experts.
A Sunday night at Lambeau marks Dan Hicks' 35th NBC Sports season milestone
Dan Hicks thought it was incredible when he reached 30 years at NBC Sports. Hicks begins his 35th season at the network on Sunday night when Notre Dame faces Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Hicks has become one of NBC's steady play-by-play voices despite not having done it before arriving at the network in 1992 after three years at CNN.
Robot vacuum Matic now takes advanced voice commands in 70 languages
The new feature, called Matic Cues, will also allow the robot vacuum to follow a user through the home on command. Users can make requests like "come here."
Pa. GOP lawmakers explore increased public health reporting for tick-borne diseases
New legislation would require health care practitioners to report cases of babesiosis, a rare malaria-like disease that is spread by deer ticks, the same species responsible for most cases of Lyme disease.
Sonos Arc Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar Drops Back to a Record Low With Hundreds Off for Labor Day
The 9.1.4 surround sound Arc Ultra overperforms its new $899 price tag with voice control and Dolby Atmos.
Cut the cameras: Flock surveillance cameras spur rare bipartisan backlash
Politicians on the right and left are pushing back against Flock as more Americans voice opposition to the tech
Flock cameras draw opposition from across the political spectrum
As political races heat up heading into the midterms, candidates from both parties are increasingly joining the fray to voice concerns over Flock surveillance cameras.
Here's what you need to know about breaking mental health stigma
Uncover essential facts about breaking mental health stigma. Learn how understanding can lead to empathy and societal change. Read more today.
Health board to address concerns after McMahon’s heated exchange with resident
The Board of Health has called a meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 9, to discuss a heated exchange involving member Tom McMahon at its Aug. 24 meeting. McMahon repeatedly interrupted and raised his voice at resident Ryan Wilson, who was addressing the board during public comment. Wilson, who has two children at Marblehead High School and
Aubrey O’Day says modern pop star offered $50,000 to have sex with her
Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day alleges that a ‘huge star’ once offered her $50,000 to have sex with him, and says another proposed they have sex for $150,000: ‘Some of the gatekeepers played dirty.’
Beyoncé and Selena Quintanilla’s duet: New Spanish-language track blend their voices; Chris Pérez react
Latin music
ESPN Radio wanted to pair Michael Kay with John McEnroe
If John McEnroe gave ESPN what they wanted, one of the most successful pairings in sports radio history never would have come to fruition. ESPN New York celebrated their 25th anniversary with a two-hour reunion show featuring Michael Kay and Don La Greca Thursday afternoon. 25 years ago, La Greca was the first local voice…
Gloria Steinem in Her Own Words on Women's Rights, Abortion Politics and Being Called the B-Word
In interviews and emails, Gloria Steinem shared with Associated Press reporters over the years her thoughts on social changes she had witnessed as a leading voice for women, the importance of abortion rights and the correct way to respond when being called the B-word. The author and feminist icon ...
Google launches AI voice features in Gmail, Docs and Keep
Users can search for emails or draft documents using the new conversational feature