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Ayotte calls on X to suspend NH Libertarian Party’s account for calling for political violence
Gov. Kelly Ayotte called for X to suspend the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire’s account after it posted the latest in a series of calls for political violence.
Becky G opens up about her rise to fame and mental health journey
Latin superstar Becky G sits down with NBC News' Morgan Radford to talk about her latest album, Baraja Bendita, and opens up about her journey with mental health.
California students post gains in math, science and English in 2025-26
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California students made gains across key academic and success measures during the 2025-26 school year, with test scores rising in English, math and science while the statewide graduation rate reached a record high of 87.9 percent. For the first time, the state released assessment results and California School Dashboard data together to give families and educators a more complete picture of student performance.English language arts scores increased 0.5 percentage points to 49.3 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced, while math scores rose 1.1 percentage points to 38.4 percent. Science showed the strongest improvement, jumping 3.3 percentage points to 36 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced.The statewide chronic absenteeism rate dropped 1.1 percentage points to 18.3 percent. The suspension rate declined to 2.8 percent, marking the third consecutive year of improvement."At a time when California continues to focus on accelerating learning and closing opportunity gaps, these results provide important evidence that our sustained investments are making a difference," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "The continued progress we are seeing is a testament to the hard work of students, families and educators across the state—and we will continue working to build on these gains."The percentage of students prepared for college and career increased to 55.2 percent, up 2 percentage points from the previous year. More than 54 percent of graduates completed coursework required for admission to University of California and California State University systems, an increase of 0.9 percentage points."California has made important strides in expanding student supports and opportunities, but the pace of academic improvement reminds us that our work is far from finished," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said.Eighth grade students posted the strongest score trends in both English language arts and math. Science performance improved across all tested grades, with the strongest gains at the high school level.African American students demonstrated larger-than-average improvements across English, math and science. Hispanic or Latino students showed larger-than-average improvements in English and math, with positive math score trends across all grades.Students who were socioeconomically disadvantaged made gains across all 3 subjects, including larger-than-average improvements in English and math. Students who were homeless continued to demonstrate gains across grades, with particularly strong improvements in math."We are encouraged to see students making gains across all 3 major assessments and are especially encouraged by the progress of African American students, Hispanic or Latino students, socioeconomically disadvantaged students and homeless youth," said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education.The progress comes as California's public school system undergoes significant demographic change. Statewide school enrollment declined to approximately 5.73 million students in 2025-26, nearly 500-thousand fewer students over the past decade.The number of students with disabilities increased approximately 25 percent over the same period, from about 680-thousand to more than 850-thousand students. Graduation rates increased across nearly all student groups, including notable increases for American Indian or Alaskan Native students at 4.3 percentage points and students with disabilities at 3.7 percentage points.In Downey Unified School District, the rate of students demonstrating proficient or advanced grade-level knowledge increased by 2.1 percentage points in English, 2.8 percentage points in math and 4.7 percentage points in science. The district aligned graduation requirements with college admission expectations and invested in inclusive special education practices, expanded career technical education and expanded learning opportunities."The gains Downey Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of years of focused, consistent work across the district," Superintendent Roger Brossmer said.In Exeter Unified School District, proficiency rates increased by 4.6 percentage points in English, 2.3 percentage points in math and 3.6 percentage points in science. The district placed a strong focus on phonics and the science of reading, particularly in kindergarten through second grade."The gains Exeter Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of having great people who are focused on the right work, and great students who want to do well," Superintendent Melanie Dorough said.Union Elementary School District saw proficiency rates increase by 1.5 percentage points in English, 2 percentage points in math and 4 percentage points in science. Teachers regularly analyze state and local assessment data to guide instruction, supported by strong core instruction and early literacy strategies."Union Elementary School District's achievement gains reflect a focused, data-driven approach to meeting the needs of every student while fostering a strong sense of belonging, safety and connection," Superintendent Carrie Andrews said.The California Department of Education is examining local results to better understand strategies and conditions associated with stronger student outcomes. The state has made significant investments in recent years, including literacy and math coaching, tutoring, expanded learning opportunities, community schools and universal transitional kindergarten.
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
On the latest episode of his Power On podcast, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he heard that Apple has tested both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion displays for the next iPad mini. However, he has not yet learned which option Apple has chosen. However, he has not yet learned which option Apple has chosen.
Business Pitch Contest
Entrepreneurs are invited to present their business pitch for potential funding during the Lighthouse Launch contest. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Kewaunee County and Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) […]
Labcorp to Acquire Select BioReference Health Assets for $722M
Labcorp to acquire select BioReference Health assets from OPKO Health for $722 million, including labs, service centers, and a prostate test.
Testosterone aids bone health in PWS with low behavior impact
Testosterone therapy may preserve bone health and improve body composition in males with PWS without worsening behavior, a study reports.
Biola University Opens Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts
Biola University's new building for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts opens Thursday, ushering in a stocked with the latest technology.
Leafs catch tough break with injury news on Chris Tanev
Latest injury news raises concerns for Maple Leafs blue line.
Monte Ahuja gives CSU another $10 million
The Cleveland entrepreneur's latest gift will overhaul business education with a focus on entrepreneurship and emerging tech.
Stress Testing 6 Completely Different Gravel Bikes to Find the Future of Gravel
In episode 2 of the Velo Gravel Field Test, we put our 6 test bikes through 3 rounds of head to head challenges: climbing, descending, and efficiency.
I’ve Tested Echo Shows and Nest Hubs. Here’s How Apple’s HomeView Display Stacks Up
Apple’s new HomeView faces steep competition from Amazon and Google’s well-established smart displays. Here’s what I think, based on my past reviews.
French soccer ethics body calls on fans to keep politics out of stadiums amid student protests
The ethics body of the French soccer federation has urged fans to stay neutral amid nationwide student protests. The protests are influencing the presidential election campaign and drawing international attention.
Will Campbell streamlines stages of grief after latest knee injury
The left tackle exited the Patriots’ game against Raiders.
1986 Storm Research/National Science Foundation WAVY Archive
The latest videos from WAVY.com
Ex-Florida congressman Matt Gaetz accused in suit of sex trafficking young women
The lawsuit alleges the two women were supplied with drugs, traveled across state lines and were paid to have sex with men, including Gaetz.
French football body urges fans and students to keep politics out of stadiums
French Football Federation's ethics body calls for neutrality amid student protests.
‘The valley has been left behind’: how one of California’s poorest areas became its toughest political battleground
Rising costs and threatened healthcare benefits are testing voters’ loyalty to Trump as Democrat Randy Villegas challenges David Valadao
WHO urges vigilance after Kenya confirms second Ebola case
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to support Kenya’s efforts to contain Ebola after a second person tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus, the UN agency’s representative in the country said on Thursday.
Scientific expertise does not guarantee greater credibility in public debates, survey suggests
A study of more than 6,000 people in the U.K. and Sweden suggests that although scientists are generally regarded as credible, their status as experts is more contested when they discuss issues such as ...
Atrium investing $340 million in new behavioral health hospital in University City
It is one of the largest investments in behavioral health in the region.
Labcorp to Acquire Select Assets of BioReference Health for $722M
Labcorp will acquire BioReference's lab businesses focused on clinical and women's health testing, urology, and corrections as well as its 4Kscore prostate cancer blood test.
How Germie Bernard earned Aaron Rodgers' trust in team meetings
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Germie Bernard details how Aaron Rodgers tests his preparation during weekly offensive meetings.
What Chinese viewers are learning from America’s political chaos
What many Chinese viewers see is not a nation falling apart, but a freedom they have never been allowed to have at home.
Halle Berry’s son cleared to testify in custody battle with Olivier Martinez
Actress’ ex-husband alleges she abused 13-year-old Maceo.
Apple sets cutoff time for getting fastest iPhone Duo pre-order
iPhone Duo pre-orders start tomorrow, and if you want the fastest checkout possible, Apple has a deadline for its ‘Get Ready’ process.
Nvidia’s RTX Spark PCs Aren’t a Revolution, but They May Change Laptops Forever
Get ready for the MacBook Pro-ification of PCs. The real test will be how they perform with all the emulation and AI running inside.
Companies pledge free software and computing for AI in science
The European Commission has announced that a group of companies and foundations will offer free services, such as software or access to supercomputers, to European scientists using AI in their research.Unveiled on October 15 at a conference in Dublin, the initiative is the latest step by the Commission to try to help researchers use the technology. Scientists have used forms of AI, such as machine learning, for decades. But advances in deep learning in the past decade, and the wider interest in large language models since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, have spurred governments to invest in new AI tools that could help the scientific process.In July, the US announced it is spending $5 billion on the Genesis Mission, which it describes as a “national effort to harness AI for science,” funding 278 projects across areas such as autonomous labs or new AI tools in astronomy. The Commission has also identified AI in science as a priority, but the €107 million it pledged from Horizon Europe in 2025 does not come close to US spending levels. That said, the vast majority of public research spending in the EU comes from national funds. Today’s announcement at the European AI in Science Summit doesn’t commit any new public money. Instead, it launches the AI in Science Enablers Initiative, a set of voluntary contributions from companies and foundations. The idea is that the companies also benefit by getting access to scientific ecosystems, and feedback on how their tools work. Google, for example, has put up €3 million of cloud computing credits to European researchers. The Novo Nordisk Foundation intends to make its supercomputer, Gefion, available to European researchers, according to the Commission statement. The chipmaker Nvidia said it would provide access to tools, compute, training and collaborative projects.The publisher Elsevier also offered complementary licenses to some of its AI tools, plus AI training for PhD, postdoctoral and master’s students. The French AI firm Mistral will provide the European research community with access to its open-weight models, Vibe seats and application programming interface credits, according to the Commission’s statement. Vibe is one of the firm’s chatbot models. The idea is that more firms and foundations will come on board in the future as the initiative grows.
Trust in science falls fastest among those left behind
Trust in science has fallen to per-pandemic levels, especially among those living in financial insecurity, Wellcome Global Monitor finds.
Absolutely everything I learned while testing RTX Spark for a week: It's a beast, but not at everything
The first RTX Spark PCs launch tomorrow, and I've spent the last week testing what this new chipset from NVIDIA is good at.
Downtown Olympia business owner dies at 83. He ran shops here for decades
The business temporarily closed after his death, but since has reopened.
Kenya reports second Ebola case
Kenya reports a second Ebola case. Meanwhile, the situation in Congo is still quite dire. Authorities have confirmed more than 4,000 deaths and 9,000 cases as officials have struggled to contain one the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record.
The Brutal Science Behind Life Jacket Testing
Inside the load tests, buoyancy tanks and trial by fire required for safety certification
Redditor runs FurMark on NVIDIA RTX Spark laptop at a store, nearly gets kicked out
A Redditor installed FurMark on an ASUS ProArt P16 RTX Spark display laptop in France. The 1080p benchmark ran before the user was nearly kicked out of the store.
No Kings coalition plans nationwide early voting events
Millions of Americans are expected to gather across the country and vote early Oct. 17 in the newest iteration of the popular No Kings protests. In some cases, they will
PDW Integrates Ukraine Technology Into Huntsville-made Drones
The collaboration advances PDW's strategy to field battle-tested technology through American engineering and industrial capacity, with planned Kurbas camera
This Week in Sports Trivia: Oct. 15, 2026
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
Revealed: Serbian ruler’s secret role in ‘illegal’ effort to help Trump business
Exclusive: Aleksandar Vučić personally intervened to push plans for controversial $500m Trump Tower in Belgrade, which sparked protests and a criminal case
French soccer ethics body calls on fans to keep politics out of stadiums amid student protests
PARIS (AP) — The ethics body of the French soccer federation is urging fans to stay neutral amid the nationwide student protests that are drawing international attention. The muscular police respon…
French soccer ethics body calls on fans to keep politics out of stadiums amid student protests
The ethics body of the French soccer federation has urged fans to stay neutral amid nationwide student protests.
Mikel Arteta Defends Noni Madueke Over Output Concerns
The Gunners' boss insists the £48million winger will decide matches, dismissing concerns over his final product following a pivotal assist in Arsenal’s latest European triumph.
Free wellness festival brings Black healers and businesses together on KC’s East Side
Uplift, a free wellness festival on Kansas City’s East Side, spotlights Black healers, workshops and 20+ Black-owned businesses to make holistic care accessible.
‘The money, not the message.’ Idaho debates how to manage free speech in elections
In the thick of election season, Idaho’s secretary of state held a Free Speech Summit for state officials and lawmakers.
I switched from Android to the iPhone 18 Pro Max for 3 weeks
I tested over 50 Android phones this year. I used the iPhone 18 Pro Max to see how it differs from Android rivals — and what it does better.
Pumpkins aplenty: HCM carving contest raises money for accessibility programs
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Children’s Museum hosted a Pumpkin Carving Contest and fundraiser Tuesday evening outside of The Market.
Duke Health, CaroMont join forces in bid for two Charlotte hospitals
Duke Health and CaroMont Health aim to build two new hospitals in Mecklenburg County. It's the latest move in a wave of hospital expansion.
HOTDAM hosts square dance, costume contest this weekend
HUNTINGTON — Mark your calendar for this Saturday.
With No October Surprise in Sight, Republicans Try to Save Themselves
While midterms historically test the governing party, the current dynamic is particularly striking under Trump.
Food Science Pilot Plant internship helps student find passion and gain experience
The University of Illinois Food Science Pilot Plant offers space for food processing companies to test new ingredients and technologies. And it gives students real-world experience to prepare for food science careers.
Tech stock sell-off intensifies as markets await UK GDP report for August
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Reclaiming the Politics of the Possible
Washington is stuck in a cycle of performative conflict. The incentives seem to reward outrage, not outcomes that last; purity tests, not problem‑solving. So it’s no surprise that after three shutdowns in less than a year, public approval of Congress collapsed to just 10 percent this spring. (Gallup...
Healf rides youth health kick to top UK’s fastest-growing companies list
The wellbeing start-up, which has its roots in Manchester, is scaling quickly
New York Yankees’ Insider Unveils Latest Giancarlo Stanton Situation
The New York Yankees are facing uncertainty with Giancarlo Stanton.The 36-year-old slugger is a loyal veteran, but the Yankees’ crowded roster has been pushing him off the table.According to an MLB insider, here’s where things stand for both parties.Yankees’ Looming Giancarlo Stanton Decision Weighs HeavilyAs detailed by Brendan Kuty of The Athletic on Oct. 14, […] The post New York Yankees’ Insider Unveils Latest Giancarlo Stanton Situation appeared first on HEAVY.
Travis Kelce reveals terrifying Steelers Combine meeting detail
Mike Tomlin explained how the Pittsburgh Steelers used Hall of Famer Mean Joe Greene during draft combine meetings to test incoming prospects.
New California test scores show most students don’t meet standards in math, English or science
California's 2026 test scores follow a familiar trend: incremental improvement from the prior year, with the majority of students behind grade-level standards.
NASA develops batteries to power humanity's return to moon
If you've ever had your car start sluggishly, or not at all, on a particularly frigid winter morning, you know standard batteries do not like extreme cold. That's why NASA researchers are working to develop ...
A New Space Telescope Opens Its Eyes to the Universe
Space news headlines feature lots of SpaceX: crewed launches to the International Space Station, satellite launches, tests of the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft. The way my least favorite […]
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis makes distasteful joke in his latest health update
Porzingis effectively disappeared from the Warriors for two straight weeks.
Old Google Home and Nest speakers getting big firmware update
Google is testing a big firmware update for the Google Home, Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio. This release...
How the House landscape is evolving: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Trump’s latest moves leave Ukraine on the defensive.
Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors address growing concern over health issues
Kristaps Porzingis and the Golden State Warriors had a new health update ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Here's the latest on his lingering issues:
Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors address growing concern over health issues
Kristaps Porzingis and the Golden State Warriors had a new health update ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Here's the latest on his lingering issues:
Colombia opposition groups launch protest against de la Espriella’s cuts
Former President Gustavo Petro joined thousands of demonstrators in Bogota in march against austerity, Israel ties.
Miami Heat Stars Rated Lower Than Expected In Defensive Rankings
Despite forming a terrifying new frontcourt tandem, Miami Heat stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo are both surprisingly low in the latest defensive player rankings, sparking debate over the league's most versatile defensive duo.
8 New Nations Will Do Business On The U.S. Army’s Drone Marketplace
Allied nations around the world have opted into the Army's drone and counter-drone purchasing platform, making the U.S. a leader in testing and supplying drone technology.
State Health Plan moves some Atrium sites out of network after court setback
Atrium hospitals already designated as “access” level facilities under a September agreement, largely rural ones, would be exempt.
Kristaps Porzingis breaks silence after Warriors’ latest health update
Kristaps Porzingis has broken the silence around his ongoing absence from the Warriors, as Golden State announced in a statement Wednesday that the center will remain out indefinitely.
US Supreme Court again backs Republicans in clash over political ad rates
By John Kruzel WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court again sided with Republicans on Wednesday in the latest clash over a new Federal Communications Commission policy that gives party
Ubisoft plans cuts at German studios, adding to wave of workforce reductions
Ubisoft is planning to reduce its workforce in Germany, where it operates a trio of studios, by about 100 workers, Game File has learned. The company wants to offer employees buyouts to, should enough people accept, avoid having to lay anyone off. “In Germany, we initiated discussions with the Works Council last week regarding a proposed voluntary departure plan across Ubisoft Dusseldorf, Ubisoft Berlin & Ubisoft Mainz,” a company rep told Game File. A “works council” is a union-like group representing employees. “The voluntary plan is the primary measure being proposed to support the intended organizational changes,” the Ubisoft rep added. The company declined to confirm the scale of the potential headcount cut. Of the impacted studios, Mainz might be the best known to the public. It leads development of the Anno series and shipped the well-reviewed strategy game Anno 117: Pax Romana in November 2025. Berlin and Dusseldorf operate as support studios within Ubisoft’s creative network. Berlin recently supported the development of Rainbow Six Siege and the Rayman Legends Retold remake. Dusseldorf also contributed to those projects, as well as The Settlers and Ubisoft-branded escape rooms. Dusseldorf is the biggest of the three studios, with some 400+ workers, compared to just over 100 at the other two, a source familiar with the reductions and the teams told Game File. More than half of these new reductions of about 100 people are expected to happen at Dusseldorf. The planned cuts were announced at a town hall for the German studios on Tuesday of last week. In an email follow-up, the studio group’s managing director, Benedikt Grindel, said the cuts were intended to “best position our German studios for the future... with a clearer focus on their role, capabilities and organizational setup needed for the work ahead.” The email was an echo of the past. In January 2025, Grindel had emailed the Ubisoft developers in his region (or studio “zone”) to explain that a round of 185 cuts at the time, including about 65 at Dusseldorf, were “essential to improve our operational efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of our studios, the zone and the company.” A half-decade of continued job cuts Ubisoft has been aggressively cutting its headcount for years. At the end of September 2022, it had 20,729 workers. By the end of March 2026, that total was down to 16,590. Studio management is trying to trim costs as it grapples with a changing industry and a drought of releases, let alone hits. The company announced earlier this year that it had reduced its costs since 2022 by “nearly €325 million” ($362m) and planned to lower them through 2028 by another €180 million ($200m). In June the company said it was closing down its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and cutting roles in its Barcelona team. Even commercial and creative success hasn’t spared studios from this ongoing company-wide contraction. As Game File was nailing down details around the proposed cuts in Germany, Ubisoft management was informing workers of cuts in its Singapore studio, which shipped a hit remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag this past July. Some 70 positions in Singapore are being eliminated “to align the studio with upcoming production needs,” per a company rep’s statement to Game File. In early 2024, a large team in the Singapore studio launched the multiplayer pirate game Skull & Bones. It performed poorly but has been supported with regular content updates since. Many of Ubisoft’s studios around the world are heavily subsidized via regional grants and tax breaks. Singapore had been among them for years, but received no such local assistance in the 12 months ending this past March. News of the Singapore cuts broke today alongside word that Ubisoft is also proposing the closure of RedLynx, pending negotiations with officials. The Finnish studio behind the motorbike series Trials was founded in 2000 and sold to Ubisoft in 2011. As reported by VGC (and corroborated by Game File), Ubisoft management told employees it could not come up with a new, sustainable assignment for RedLynx. The 2025 workforce at Ubisoft Dusseldorf were straight-up cuts. This time, Ubisoft is hoping the reductions at its trio of German studios will largely come from workers taking a payout to leave. The company offered such voluntary dismissals at its Massive Entertainment studio (The Division) a year ago. For the German studios’ buyouts this time around, Ubisoft and the Works Council had discussed a formula that’d pay a worker’s monthly salary multiplied by 1.5 and by the number of years they’ve worked at the company, according to Game File sources. The formula is still subject to negotiations with the Works Council and has not yet been part of an official offer to workers. It could be adjusted up or down, and it could be supplemented with additional bonuses. Asked about the floated payout formula, a Ubisoft rep told Game File, “The terms of a potential voluntary departure program remain subject to negotiation with employee representatives. No final agreement has been reached, and we won’t comment on specific proposals while discussions are ongoing.” Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: Epic’s AI adventures Epic Games (Fortnite, the Unreal engine) is all-in on using AI to try to transform the way it makes video games and game-making tools. It’s leaders appear to be undeterred by any resistance among gamers and some game developers around generative AI—and instead emboldened by advances, particularly in AI-assisted programming. A recap of the last three days: On Monday, Bloomberg reported that Epic management told workers last week that development of an upcoming game combining Star Wars and Marvel characters would be “AI first.” Employees would be expected to use AI models such as Claude to code the game. A manager told Epic’s developers there would be “[n]o more hand-written code” and that art for the game would be “generated with full AI workflows,” per the outlet. Just ahead of that story running, Epic founder Tim Sweeney tweeted: “We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration. The aim isn’t to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.” In a follow-up, Sweeney predicted that most game development processes would be at least three times faster a year from now than they were in January 2026, thanks to AI. To a person on X who told him he was failing to read the room, Sweeney said: “Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not. Our job, as the provider of tools and technology to much of the industry, is to design for the present that is and the future that will soon be.” On Wednesday, Epic announced it was releasing a faster launcher for its Epic Games Store marketplace. It did so by stating in a blog post as clear as could be that the launcher is an AI-enabled, vibe-coded project: Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that’s way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look. Programming is hard? That was unexpected phrasing from a company founded by a legendarily great programmer. Back in 2011, Sweeney told me that he’d picked up programming quickly as a kid and rejoiced at the power it gave him. “I could look at any program that anybody else had written and, with enough effort, build something cooler.” Item 3: The Xbox Labs experiment (and one of the people behind it) Microsoft’s Xbox division, which is flooding the zone with announcements lately, yesterday revealed a new internal tech-tinkering team called Xbox Labs. In the words of Xbox boss Asha Sharma Labs is “a small group of game makers, engineers and scientists whose job is to turn emerging ideas into things our players and developers can experience.” Conventional wisdom coming out of the announcement is that Labs is a team that’ll focus on ideas driven by generative AI. In her announcement, Sharma cited some of the dizzying achievements in tech and gaming over the past month as AI agents and other AI tools have been deployed to swiftly figure out how popular games work, then rebuild them and mix them up. She mentioned seeing ”games rapidly decompiled and rebuilt to run on hardware they were never originally designed to support” and said “[p]erhaps more surprisingly, we’ve seen many of the biggest games in the world have been remixed into the source code of another.” (Minecraft plus Elden Ring, for example, or Fortnite + Super Monkey Ball + Overwatch + Diablo + others.) Sharma also cited the work of Windows PC games being ported to run in browsers, a seeming reference to a recent AI-assisted fan port of Halo. Or perhaps Call of Duty or GTA. Sharma didn’t use the specific term “AI” in her memo, but she came close, citing AI “agents” and their potential for game-making tools that Labs could help craft: I think XBOX has an important role to play here. Coding became the first major workload for agents because they can write, run, and test software. Games share many of those same properties, and people spend more than 72 billion hours a year playing XBOX games, roughly five times the estimated time spent writing code worldwide. We’ve spent 25 years learning how to make great games, and I want our game makers to help shape what these new technologies make possible. As we learn, we’ll share the tools we build with developers across the industry, just as we always have. When I asked an Xbox rep if Labs was an AI-centric team, they said genAI was not the focus, describing it as having a broader mandate for using new tech in new ways in gaming. As an example, they pointed to Xbox’s recently launched disc-to-digital gaming usage rights program. Microsoft didn’t specifically name anyone involved full-time in Xbox Labs yesterday, but on social media and LinkedIn, I spotted Adrian Mato IDing himself as leading the creatio of tools at Labs and talking up the launch. Mato first caught my attention in late September, when he said on X that he was “starting to build a new team at Xbox focused on products and tools for how games get built and distributed as agentic tools become more capable.” At the time, he framed AI-based tools as a supplement to traditional game dev tools. “I don’t think we need to replace them,” he said. Since then, he’s publicly shown interest in AI and in games. He’s recently spent some of his X feed marveling at the power of AI agents and praising the lighting in the latest Gears of War. Following the Labs announcement yesterday, he enthused about the Xbox Labs’ stylish landing page. He wrote: “We built some fun tools to art-direct shaders in real time, experimented with interactive ASCII art, and sprinkled in lots of tiny details. “Move your mouse to leave a colorful trail that reveals the original footage, or interact with the video to trigger bursts of particles. “A lot of love went into making it all feel just right. “More to come”
How proposed cuts to this major national health survey could disadvantage Americans with disabilities
As many as a quarter of wheelchair users and more than a third of people who are blind or deaf could be miscategorized as not disabled because of the shorter survey, according to some advocates and researchers.
Is Micron Still The Business You Bought?
Investors who own Micron Technology (MU) likely bought into a memory chip maker whose sales and profits rise and fall with the broader chip cycle. The company released its fiscal Q4 2026 report on September 30, 2026, completing a full year of new results that provide enough data to test this long-held thesis. So, is the company you hold still that chip maker.
News outlets win a round against Trump’s press ban — but the fight is far from over
News outlets and press freedom advocates are cheering the latest court ruling against President Donald Trump’s press ban, while cautioning that he will keep trying to punish news coverage he dislikes.
Whose Jesus? The left and right fight over faith in the midterms.
The latest episode of "Stress Test": God is on the ballot in November.
Newsom heads to New Hampshire to stump for Democrats
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's trip follows voyages to other early primary voting states that could be critical to his campaign if he officially joins the 2028 presidential contest.
YouTube is upending Hollywood — and Alphabet might be the best entertainment bet
The creator economy has turned the entertainment industry on its head this year, with YouTubers now directing box-office hits. Are entertainment giants like Disney (DIS) and Netflix (NFLX) still the stocks to buy? Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management CEO Ross Gerber and his expert panel weigh in on the rise of creator-led projects taking hold in the film industry. Today's Market Hang panel consists of Yahoo Finance's Julie Hyman, Business Insider Today executive editor Dan DeFrancesco, Baird investment strategist Ross Mayfield, and SlateStone Wealth partner and chief market strategist Kenny Polcari.
Five reasons why Auburn could struggle with Georgia on Saturday
Auburn will face its toughest test to date on Saturday when it battles No. 1 Georgia in the renewal of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry.
Vikings Enter the Top 3 in Latest Power Rankings
The Minnesota Vikings have now entered the top three in the latest power rankings following yet another victory, which now has this team at 5-0 heading into the bye.
Judge won’t halt Atrium’s cheaper copays for State Health Plan members, for now
After the ruling, the State Health Plan warned premiums could more than double in 2028.
TENNESSEE VOLS BASKETBALL: Exhibition with Xavier opens season
The Tennessee men's basketball team is set to take the floor at Food City Center for the first time in the 2026-27 season Thursday as it hosts the Xavier Musketeers in a preseason exhibition contest. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Ashwagandha's real problem: Consistency, not science
Ashwagandha faces regulatory scrutiny, but science backs its safety. The real issue is inconsistent testing and standards — not root vs. leaf.
Patriots share good news about injured wide receiver A.J. Brown
Patriots WR A.J. Brown has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in Week 1, but he could return sooner than expected. Here's the latest.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announces record-breaking campaign contributions
The previous record was held by his 2022 reelection campaign. See how much he’s raised.
NASA’s SpaceX resupply mission delivers science experiments and solar arrays to space station
NASA’s latest resupply mission has successfully launched towards the ISS, carrying thousands of pounds of supplies, scientific equipment and new technology
Take a tour inside the $25B business helping build AI chips of the future
CNBC's Natasha Abellard takes a deep dive into Qnity and how its products help build the semiconductors that will power the latest AI advancements.
MLS’s political speech policy is untenable – just ask Austin FC fans
The protests around an anti-ICE T-shirt show that politics can never be separated from sports, especially now
Boston Mayor Joins Effort to Protect Legal Cannabis in Massachusetts
Mayor Michelle Wu is the latest in a list of a growing number of high-profile figures endorsing the ‘No on 8’ campaign to protect the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws against a prohibitionist-backed ballot Question 8 in the November mid-term election.
The 8-Bit Show: Connecting art, science & activism with PangeaSeed
On the latest episode of The 8-Bit Show, host Hekla Petursson sits down with the founder of PangeaSeed to discuss how the organization connects people with the ocean and inspires them to protect it.
Nearly All Soldiers Completed Army Brain Health Test, Service Says
The DOD established the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT) in 2024 to track soldiers' baseline cognitive health.
Lexington Health adding new emergency departments in Columbia, White Knoll
The health system said population growth in the Midlands is spurring the need for more emergency and urgent care facilities
Kenya confirms second Ebola case, a relative of first patient
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s Health Ministry confirmed the country’s second Ebola case Wednesday, saying a relative of the man who died two days after arriving from Congo had tested positive while in quarantine.
Rome launches Halloween decorating contest
Judging will take place between Thursday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Red hot: Heat’s business growth supports rising valuation
The Miami Heat added $2.02B to their valuation over the past 12 months, per Sportico’s October 2026 NBA valuations, making them the fastest growing franchise in the NBA.
‘Tsunami of sound’ coming to Modesto’s Gallo Center. What it is, when it will play
Expect a mix of music and theater on stage.
RadicalMedia's New CEO Justin Barocas Wants to Test Business Models
RadicalMedia's New CEO Justin Barocas Wants to Test Business Models That Give Production Powerhouse Stakes in Work It Does for Others
RadicalMedia’s New CEO Wants to Test Business Models That Give Production Powerhouse Stakes in Work It Does for Others
At production powerhouse RadicalMedia, the only thing constant is change. Originally conceived as a way for founders Jon Kamen and Frank Scherma to explore new content formats after many years in the ...
Callahan, Flynn Uncontested for Pair of Rockland Council Seats
Candidates detail their positions on issues affecting the city.
Argument at a Medley truck lot leads to a shooting and air rescue, police say
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue flew a man to a hospital to be treated for his wounds.
Illinois flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 10, Week 8
As the IHSA postseason reaches the quarterfinals, here's where Illinois' flag football teams stand in the latest Super 10 rankings.