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World's largest wildlife crossing nears completion in California

The 210-foot-long Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will help animals safely cross California's famed 101 freeway.

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Oct 23 • 11:03 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
OPINION: Childhood food memories triumph over politics

The political flyers overflowing my mailbox, the pop-up videos overwhelming my mood every time I check sports scores on a website, the campaign ads overpowering my senses when I listen to my favorite commercial radio stations, they are making October a thoroughly depressing and miserable month.

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Oct 23 • 9:30 AM EDT • Politics • homernews.com
Pope hope, that’s entertainment, and getting ahead in the CIA

Happy Friday friends, I want to start by just breathing for all of us a big long collective sigh of relief at the news this week that the pope’s doctors have basically blown the all clear for Leo’s health. Going from knowing nothing to him declaring to the world he needed surgery, to a cancer diagnosis, to bouncing out of the hospital in barely even days, to ringing the bell in less than two weeks is whiplash inducing. But in the best possible way. We are living in a world in which the Roman pontiff, by dint of history, biography and circumstance, is once more at the epicenter of global affairs. Not just conversations about religion, or Christian and post-Christian values, but the bleeding edge of the most pressing issues of human affairs. Think I am exaggerating a touch? Consider the images of the crowds who greeted Leo in Paris just weeks ago, and juxtapose them with the absolute photo negative scenes unfolding there recently. Ask yourself how many world leaders are talking about AI right now and directly citing the pope as they do so. Try to name a country who has had as many top-ranked diplomats in and out of both Russia and Ukraine in the last three years as the Vatican has in the last three months. It has been fascinating to watch Leo XIV emerge as not just a kind of pop culture reference point or totem to be cited (Francis was often name-checked this way) but as a kinetic force in global conversation. Given the state of things, we need global figures of gravitas and values, even better if they have real wisdom behind what they are saying. So news of Leo’s illness was, it seemed to me, a tremor with potentially Richter Scale implications. That not only has the worst not come to pass but instead we’ve had the best of outcomes announced is something to really be grateful for. Humanity, it seems to me, is entering one of its irregular but cyclical phases where the pace of change — technological, social, and geopolitical — outstrips the ability of previously settled norms and received wisdom to cope. Such periods – and I think the first decades of the last century were a similar such time – throw into question the viability of all kinds of institutions. And many of ours have been straining to breaking point for a few years now. The papacy has the power and the potential to be a steadying pole in all of this. That’s my hope, anyway. It’s a lot to freight the office with, though it is arguably its ultimate purpose from its founding, to be a steadying rock on which all that matters can be anchored. It’s also, of course, an intolerable weight of responsibility to place on a single man. But I am encouraged to have hope in – and for – Leo. The apostle whom he succeeds, after all, was famously unequal to some moments, failed some tests of faith, and resiled from taking the road which led ultimately to the circus on Vatican hill. Human frailty and limitations, of health, of character, of temper, can open us to Christ, whose strength is greatest in our weakness, so St. Paul learned. That gives me hope, and I am sure it consoles Leo, too. And so I will continue to pray for him. Because we need apostles of rock right now. Here’s the news. Subscribe The News The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued yesterday a new document “Venite ad me: Considerations on the Transmission of the Faith in an Epochal Change.” It’s not a short document, and it is at pains to stress this isn’t a doctrinal note from the dicastery, either. Rather, it brings together reflections on an important issue from the Church around the world. Some of it I actually found really rather powerful. It is, however, 25,000, which is a lot for a busy reader to get through on a weekday. So, you can read our busy reader’s summary right here. — News broke yesterday of an Oct. 22 meeting of U.S. bishops with President Donald Trump. The meeting was organized by an official at the Heritage Foundation, according to several sources close to the meeting. Video of several U.S. bishops praying in the Oval Office over President Trump was posted on social media Thursday afternoon, first by White House Communications Advisor Margo Martin, and then by the official twitter.com account of the Archdiocese of Denver. The meeting has drawn sharp criticism because of its proximity to the upcoming midterm Congressional elections, in which Democrats are widely expected to win control of the House of Representatives, while control of the Senate remains closely contested. Sources close to the bishops’ conference told The Pillar that some USCCB senior officials were surprised by the existence of the meeting when video of it first emerged online. And a source close to conference president Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City told The Pillar that the archbishop was “deeply frustrated” by the occasion of the meeting. An official conference spokesperson told The Pillar that the meeting was “not organized with or by the USCCB” and was “not affiliated with the conference.” You can read the whole story here. — The next National Eucharistic Congress will be held in Indianapolis in 2029, a return to the city that hosted the last gathering in 2024. You read it here first. By here, I don’t mean this newsletter, I mean at The Pillar. We broke the story this week. It’s a big deal, in as much as the last congress was a roaring success and the next installment has the potential to be a real focal point for evangelizing efforts in the coming years. Read all about it here. — As Pope Leo prepares for the longest trip of his pontificate, Church leaders in Uruguay say the pontiff will encounter a highly secularized culture, in a country with a very different Catholic history than many of its South American neighbors. The nation has not had a papal visit since 1988, and leaders who spoke with The Pillar say it has a dire need for evangelization, even amid the prospect of a small revival in faith. This is real reporting on the Church in the country, and frankly a story you simply are not going to be able to read anywhere else. Read the whole thing. — The Archdiocese of Detroit announced this week a plan that would see the vast majority of its parish priests reassigned next summer, amid a restructuring process expected to dramatically shrink the number of parishes in the archdiocese. Archbishop Edward Weisenburger said this week that the plan “asks much of our priests,” but is a “sacrifice they are making as brothers of one, unified presbyterate.” The thing is, as JD pointed out in an analysis yesterday, pastors of parishes have a legal right to stability in office, so the only way this kind of wholesale reassignment goes ahead is if all of the archdiocesan clergy agree to resign. That creates its own kind of legal issues, though, and re-raises longstanding questions about the effectiveness of canonical due process protections for priests when dealing with coercive exercises in authority. Read the whole thing here. — More than three months after the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued its decree declaring the excommunication of the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X, questions remain about the full effects of the society’s schism. Specifically, the DDF’s July claim that marriages witnessed and confessions heard by SSPX priests are now invalid remains contested — and it emerged this week it appears that the Vatican’s own legal experts don’t agree. You can read my whole analysis of the situation and what it means here. All I would add is that the DDF’s undeveloped, some would say unsubstantiated, claim about the invalidity of some SSPX sacraments came in their July Explanatory Note on the schismatic consecrations by the society that month. It touches directly on both papal acts of governance — indeed it purports to nullify them — and the most intimate pastoral encounters possible in a parish setting. If there is one aspect of the Francis-era style of governance I would like the curia to finally cut out, root and branch, it would be these attempts to try to effect extraordinarily sensitive legislative acts via a note. — At least a dozen French bishops have spoken out following an eruption of violence on the country’s streets Oct. 17. Not surprisingly, they unanimously condemned the violence, but the length and content of their interventions varied significantly. Several sought to distinguish between the actions of rioters and what they suggested were the legitimate concerns of peaceful young protesters. Many also evoked Pope Leo XIV’s Sept. 25-28 visit to France, suggesting it offered a powerful counter-image to the scenes of looting and destruction. A number of bishops also stressed their solidarity with law enforcement officials who struggled to contain the disorder, as well as the owners of the roughly 3,000 damaged or looted businesses. What’s the background to the nationwide unrest that the French media calls “les violences du 17 octobre”? And what exactly are the bishops saying? Read all about it here. — A Polish bishop called for the firm defense of unborn children as well as compassion for their mothers this week, as the lower house of Poland’s parliament passed two bills seeking to liberalize the country’s abortion laws. The bill on decriminalizing assistance in an abortion passed by 217 votes to 213, while the abortion in cases of fetal abnormality bill passed by 233 to 203, thanks to the government’s majority in the lower house. Both bills will now move to the Polish Senate, the upper house of parliament, where the ruling coalition has a larger majority. The fetal abnormality bill is symbolically significant because if it became law, it would effectively overturn a 2020 ruling by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal that a 1993 law permitting abortion for a severe and irreversible disability or a life-threatening incurable disease was unconstitutional. Read the whole story here. Subscribe **[The St. Paul Center App | Bible Study On-The-Go Read and understand the Bible with St. Paul Center’s new app! With today’s leading Catholic Scripture scholars as your guides, the St. Paul Center app empowers you to read the Bible](https://stpaulcenter.com/app?utm_source=pillar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=applaunch)** from the heart of the Church. Download the app for free at either the Apple or the Google app stores. https://stpaulcenter.com/app That’s entertainment I have written before about my deep and sincere reservations about the celebrity exorcist subculture which has taken root in American Catholicism. And, because I am very ill at ease with the entire thing, I try to keep a weather eye on the phenomenon without being drawn into the kind of online back-and-forth which these figures sometimes generate. Earlier this week, JD noted that one such celebrity exorcist type, Fr. Chad Ripperger, has undertaken, on the request of his bishop, a year’s fast from interviews and public speaking. I’m sure that will be salutary for him, if for no other reason than that receiving with docility requests from one’s rightful ecclesiastical superiors always comes with graces. Then a second thing happened this week which caught my eye. Apparently, another fixture in the celebrity exorcist world, Fr. Carlos Martins, has initiated a lawsuit against two lay men — apparently associates of Rippenger, though I am unclear in what way, exactly — for allegedly defaming him and his ministry on a podcast. It seems the suit was initiated nearly a year ago and is now pending. At issue, I read, is that the two men described Martins on a podcast as “not who he says he is” with regard to his exorcism ministry and that he “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” These statements Martins considers to be false and defamatory and, his suit claims, “directly affected the sale and reception of [his] The Exorcist Files book that was newly released at the time these episodes aired.” I don’t want to get too into the weeds of the details here, but a couple of things struck me about all this.

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Oct 23 • 9:10 AM EDT • Entertainment • pillarcatholic.com
Billions of ‘Uncounted’ People? The Real Mystery Is Where the Maps Think Everyone Actually Lives

A disputed study raises a practical question. If population maps put people in the wrong places, could disaster plans underestimate how many need help?

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Oct 23 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • popularmechanics.com
Drop in for free science talks at these Seattle bars, pubs

More science-focused gatherings at local bars and pubs have popped up in the Seattle area in recent years.

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Oct 23 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • seattletimes.com
More Than a Charcuterie Board: A Mother and Daughter Build a Business Around Gathering.

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Birch Bay Retirement Village. NORTHEAST HARBOR—Food’s ability to be a social cornerstone is one of the founding premises of one of Mount Desert Island’s newest, and perhaps most unique, endeavors in cuisine based catering. From intimate gatherings to large functions, Olive & Pearl creates charcuterie boards that can not only astound the tongue but also the eye. Many would agree that food can bring people together. In fact, culinary delights, and sometimes adventures, have been utilized as the centerpiece for social and business occasions of all kinds for centuries. Often times it even has the ability to start conversation, temper differences, and build new relationships. Settings can vary, from a multi-course sit down meal, a backyard barbecue, or a couple of bowls of chips and dip in front of a television, but the result can be the same. Humans come together, they share food, and the whole process is a catalyst for thought, communication, and a shared experience. Imagined and created by the mother and daughter team of Dr. Susan Scanlan (formerly MacCready) and Kayla Musetti, Olive & Pearl was started in June of this year and has been creating, delighting, and growing since. We gave the two an opportunity to answer some questions about themselves and their new venture. The love, passion, and pride for what they are doing and the fact that they are doing it as a mother and daughter team came through so strongly in their answers that we decided to present the question and answer session in its entirety. The Interview What did you do prior to Olive & Pearl? We’re a mother-daughter team, and food, family, and hospitality have always been a big part of our lives. Susan grew up in a large family in Pennsylvania, where the table was always at the center of everything. There were multiple dishes, little bites, stories, and plenty of conversation. Food was never simply about eating. It was about gathering, celebrating, and spending time together. After living in several Southern states, Susan relocated to Maine more than 20 years ago, and Maine has truly become home. She loves its sense of community, natural beauty, and connection to local food and makers. Professionally, Susan is a registered nurse and holds a doctorate in health administration. She has worked in a variety of clinical, nonclinical, and leadership roles and currently works as a faculty academic director. Building Olive & Pearl has been an exciting creative venture alongside her career. Kayla is also a registered nurse and works in the ambulatory surgery unit at Mount Desert Island Hospital. While healthcare is an important part of both of our professional lives, Olive & Pearl has given us an entirely different way to connect, collaborate, and create something together. Tell us about the business. Olive & Pearl is a mother-daughter charcuterie business centered around beautiful food, thoughtful presentation, and bringing people together. We create curated charcuterie boards designed for everything from intimate gatherings and dinner parties to weddings, showers, corporate events, boat days, and celebrations of all kinds. We think of our boards as more than food. They’re an experience and an invitation to gather, slow down, and enjoy time with the people around you. We’re intentional about quality ingredients, artful presentation, and personalization. Whenever possible, we also incorporate Maine-made and locally sourced products, including cheeses, jams, honey, seasonal produce, and baked goods. What inspired you to start Olive & Pearl? In many ways, Olive & Pearl grew out of something we had been doing our entire lives —bringing people together around food. We’ve always loved creating beautiful spreads for family and friends. There was something special about watching people gather around a table, graze, talk, laugh, and simply enjoy being together. Friends and family began telling us, “You should do this as a business,” and one day, we stopped laughing it off and started mapping it out. We realized we had an opportunity to combine our different strengths and create something that reflected what we both value: hospitality, creativity, quality, and connection. Charcuterie felt like the perfect expression of that. It’s beautiful and creative, but it’s also communal and approachable. At its heart, it brings us right back to where the idea began, a table filled with food and people gathered around it. Do you have a business partner(s)? Our business partner is each other! Olive & Pearl is truly a mother-daughter partnership, and building it together has been incredibly meaningful and sometimes hilarious! We know each other extremely well, which can be both a strength and, occasionally, a challenge. We have different personalities and strengths, but we’ve learned to lean into those differences and use them to our advantage. There’s a lot of trust between us, and we’ve learned how to communicate, collaborate, and occasionally laugh at ourselves along the way. We’re also building Olive & Pearl while continuing our careers in healthcare and education, so we’re taking things thoughtfully and growing the business one step at a time. We all have to start somewhere. One of the most rewarding parts has been having something that belongs to both of us. We get to learn from one another, celebrate the small wins together, and create something that we hope will become part of our family’s story for years to come. When exactly did you launch the business? Recently, in June 2026, we launched Olive & Pearl, turning an idea we had talked about for years into real business. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch something that started around our own family table and begin to find a place within the community. How is it going so far? How do you feel it has been received? It has been going very well, and we’ve been incredibly encouraged by how warmly Olive & Pearl has been received. As more people hear about us, our orders have continued to increase, and we’re seeing growing interest in boards for events and celebrations. It’s exciting to watch something that began as an idea between the two of us start to grow within the community. One of the most rewarding parts is hearing from customers after their events or seeing photos of our boards being enjoyed. Knowing that something we created became part of someone’s celebration is incredibly meaningful to us. Is there a brick-and-mortar location or is it all online? Olive & Pearl is currently an online business. We’re intentionally starting this way so we can build relationships with our customers, learn what they love, and grow thoughtfully. Our long-term dream, if the business continues to grow, is to eventually have a sit-down space where people can experience Olive & Pearl in person. Do you have any future plans if things go well/keep going well? Absolutely. For now, our focus is on continuing to grow Olive & Pearl, getting to know our customers, and becoming part of more celebrations and gatherings throughout the area. Long term, we would love to have our own physical space where people can come together and experience Olive & Pearl beyond the boards themselves. We can imagine a place that combines food, hospitality, creativity, and community. Ultimately, we want to build something that continues to grow while still feeling personal and connected to the people and community around us. Is there an aspect of the business that you really love? There are so many things we love about it, but the people and the connection are probably at the top of the list. We love creating something beautiful, but what really matters to us is what happens after we hand it over to the customer. We picture our boards on kitchen islands, at backyard gatherings, on boats, at weddings, or around a long dinner table—with people laughing, talking, and lingering a little longer. We also love the creative side. Every board is an opportunity to play with color, texture, shape, seasonality, and flavor. We don’t just want to fill a board, we want to curate an experience. And supporting local makers is especially meaningful to us. Whenever possible, we love incorporating Maine-made cheeses, local jams and honey, seasonal produce, and products from nearby bakeries and businesses. It allows us to showcase some of what makes Maine so special. Perhaps most importantly, we love doing this together. Building something as a mother and daughter has given us another way to spend time together, learn from one another, celebrate small wins, and create memories. Is there anything regarding any aspect of Olive & Pearl that you may think is important that is not reflected on the website? One thing that may not always come through online is just how personal this business is to us. Olive & Pearl isn’t something we created simply because charcuterie was popular. It grew very naturally from our family, our traditions, and the way we’ve always enjoyed gathering with people we love. There is a lot of heart behind every board. We think about the people who will be enjoying it, the occasion they’re celebrating, and how we can make the experience feel special. We also want people to know that we care deeply about supporting locals whenever possible. Using Maine products isn’t just about sourcing ingredients, it’s about telling a little story about where we live and the talented people who make and grow wonderful things here. Is there anything that we have not asked that you think is important/relevant that would like readers to know? We hope people see Olive & Pearl as more than just a charcuterie business. At its heart, it’s about gathering. Our goal is to make it easier for people to create those moments when everyone gathers around the table, conversations last a little longer, and people simply enjoy being together. We also hope people see the mother-daughter story behind the business. We’re building Olive & Pearl alongside our careers, one step at a time, and there is something incredibly special about creating a shared family legacy in the process. For us, success isn’t just about how many boards we make. It’s about becoming part of people’s special moments - birthdays, weddings, weekends with friends, quiet evenings at home, or a beautiful day on the Maine coast. If one of our boards helps people put down their phones, linger a little longer, laugh a little more, and enjoy the people around them, then we feel like we’ve done exactly what we set out to do. All photos courtesy of Olive & Pearl. LINKS TO LEARN MORE Olive & Pearl website Olive & Pearl Facebook Olive & Pearl Instagram RECENT PRESS RELEASES AND BRIEFS To see all the press releases, click here. To see our news, click here. For the full archive, click here. All of these are on our dedicated website. [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ Pemetic Students Share Thoughts on Declaration of Independence Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ Fall Festival at the Nor’Easter for Mount Desert Nursery School, October 24. Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Explore career opportunities where you make a difference for Maine’s natural resources—and the people who enjoy them. Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Cranberry Isles Comprehensive Plan Committee Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/cranberry-isles-comprehensive-plan) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/cranberry-isles-comprehensive-plan) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) [ Community School Hosts a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser October 25! Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment

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Oct 23 • 8:00 AM EDT • Business • barharborstory.substack.com
New business opens at Northwoods Mall food court in Peoria

PEORIA – Crazy Pop started this spring as a pop-up concept based out of Prophetstown.

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Oct 23 • 7:00 AM EDT • Business • bnd.com
America’s socialist surge and its hard limits

Socialism is gaining ground in the US, fuelled by anger over inequality and economic insecurity. But can its rising popularity translate into lasting political influence across the country? US author and academic Michael Kazin sheds light on the issue.

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Oct 23 • 4:07 AM EDT • Politics • thinkchina.sg
Science challenges anti-soda activists: No, sodas won’t make you fat

new study helps clarify the weight-loss impact of diet drinks and dispel a popular myth about artificial sweeteners. As it turns out, zero-sugar beverages

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Oct 23 • 12:01 AM EDT • Science • geneticliteracyproject.org
Bat mothers' hearts beat faster when they hear their pups

They can even pick out their offspring’s distress cries amongst thousands of bats.

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Oct 23 • 12:00 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
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Popular sleep aids before surgery could prevent painkiller dependence later

Melatonin and Ambien taken before surgery were linked to less anxiety, reduced pain and a 30% drop in opioid use, a Yale-led study suggests.

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Oct 22 • 11:15 PM EDT • Health • foxnews.com
The Indian in Western politics

You can be part of the apparatus that governs the Western powers—a mascot that helps legitimize brutality against dissenters at home or populations living under occupation abroad

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Oct 22 • 6:57 PM EDT • Politics • prismreports.org
Popular comedian set to host ‘Saturday Night Live’ for the 7th time

A popular comedian will join a small group of stars who have hosted 'SNL' seven or more times

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Oct 22 • 5:46 PM EDT • Entertainment • nj.com
Iowa portable restroom companies combine under Ready Restrooms brand

A King’s Throne and Best Portable Toilets, two Iowa-based portable restroom and service companies, have joined under a new brand, Ready Restrooms. The combined company will provide portable restrooms, restroom trailers, pumping and job site services across Iowa, Kansas City, Memphis and Oklahoma. The consolidation brings together both companies’ employees, equipment and service capabilities while…

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Oct 22 • 5:19 PM EDT • Business • businessrecord.com
The One Chart That Explains Why Netflix Cleaned House

(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Yeah, I’ll be honest: I went with a clickbait-y headline today. One chart? That explains everything? That’s as clickbait-y as it gets. But let’s be real. I’m analyzing a dataset that I’ve built over six years, and c’mon, I never write articles which feature just one chart! If you think this article—which includes a level of data detail unheard of in journalism twenty years ago—is clickbait, fine by me. Really, what I’m doing is using data to explain Netflix’s recent strategy changes, since the story of the month is the turbulence at Netflix. First, head of content Bela Bajaria was fired. Then head of film Dan Lin followed her to the unemployment ranks. (Along with, sadly, 1,000 other Netflix workers.) And then Netflix delivered a “sub-optimal” earnings report, which continued their year-long stock price slide. Then came a flood of articles explaining why all this is happening. (Mine’s coming shortly, rest assured.) I realized I had the perfect chart to explain Netflix’s woes. Specifically, Nielsen’s weekly top ten charts. Usually I focus on one or two weeks in my Streaming Ratings Reports, but sometimes it’s worth stepping back to look at the larger story. And hoo boy, what a story. This article is my annual (plus three months) follow-up to one of my most popular articles of last year. (And a topic I’ve been visualizing for the last half decade.) Subscribe Netflix’s Share of The Nielsen Charts Continues to Decline

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Oct 22 • 5:03 PM EDT • Entertainment • entertainment.substack.com
Okpareke’s ads don’t add up on her federal campaign finance report

By Kevin Hendricks — Didi Okpareke’s congressional campaign paid for Facebook and Instagram ads that popped up on screens more than 150,000 times this summer, mostly in New Mexico. Her latest federal campaign finance report says she spent nothing. The Republican nominee for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District spent between $500 and $599 on several […]

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Oct 22 • 4:23 PM EDT • Politics • nmpoliticalreport.com
Scam alert: The government is not deleting your phone number

The FTC warned that con artists are pretending to be the FTC.

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Oct 22 • 4:15 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Chappell Roan brings out Christina Aguilera at L.A. benefit concert

The pop star brought her old hits — and a surprise appearance by Christina Aguilera — to the first night of her Super Graphic Spectacular fundraiser at the Shrine Auditorium.

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Oct 22 • 3:33 PM EDT • Entertainment • latimes.com
Rattlesnake bite venom is based on their personality

Deadly or not, it's best to leave them alone.

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Oct 22 • 1:42 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Treefrog ‘fingerprints’ are on their eyeballs

The Amazon’s egg-eating spiny-backed frogs have distinct patterns on their irises.

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Oct 22 • 1:06 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
How well have past GOTY winners sold?

We’re less than two months away from 2026’s The Game Awards, and what a year it’s been for fantastic games, including Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire II, the Blood of Dawnwalker, and Control Resonant – just to name a few. So as we approach the end of the year, we thought we’d look back on our estimates for the GOTY winners of the past four years. In terms of revenue, Elden Ring (2022 winner), Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), Astro Bot (2024), and Expedition 33 (2025) have generated a combined $3.8B via 73M copies sold: Let’s have a look, then. Elden Ring has generated $2B in revenue Elden Ring is a phenomenon in every sense. It’s sold a whopping 36.4M copies across Steam (50%), PS5 (35%), and Xbox (15% across console and PC). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring also just passed an astronomical milestone: $2B in revenue. While PlayStation and Xbox account for half of Elden Ring’s copies sold across these three platforms, they account for 57.5% of revenue. This – as ever – is due to regional pricing and the higher relative share of PC gamers in lower-priced markets. For example, around 17.4% of Elden Ring’s Steam copies sold were in China, where the game costs about 26% less than the price in the States. There’s an … interesting narrative going around these days that console gamers are only interested in ball-and-gun games and have the patience for little else. Well, Elden Ring’s impressive sales prove that is simply not true, and across all platforms. What’s more, over 9.8M people have played Elden Ring for over 100 hours, with nearly 3.5M people getting all of the achievements and trophies. For reference, 10.9% of Elden Ring’s PlayStation players have the platinum trophy, while 10.5% of players on Steam and 3.9% of Xbox players unlocked all the achievements. Git gud, Xbox players! Of the 1.5M people who played Elden Ring on PlayStation last month, 4% also played Dark Souls 3 last month, 4% played Bloodborne, and 3% played Sekiro. There’s those Soulsborne diehards for you. By many accounts, including my own, Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time. It’s an evergreen seller that will continue to be a cash cow for Bandai and FromSoftware for years to come. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring has sold another 2M copies across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox this year, generating almost $110M. This means it’s outperforming many of this year’s high-profile releases. Even Elden Ring’s standalone run-based PvE spinoff, 2025’s Nightreign, has sold 7.8M copies and generated $282M in revenue. Baldur’s Gate 3 is another billion-dollar-plus banger Another cross-platform phenomenon is Baldur’s Gate 3, which has sold 23.2M copies and generated over $1.2B in revenue. About 18.7M of these copies (80.6%) are via Steam, 2.9M via PS5 (12.7%), and 1.6M (6.8%) via Xbox. Around 1.3M folks on Steam bought BG3 before it hit 1.0. The PlayStation version launched about a month after the PC 1.0 release, while the Xbox version came four months later due to technical issues around developing local co-op on the Series S. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Across platforms, Baldur’s Gate 3’s monthly active users have never dropped below 2M, including 2.2M MAUs last month (68.5% on Steam, 21.9% on PS5, and 9.6% on Xbox). And it still regularly brings in 280K to 400K players every day: About 1% of BG3’s Steam player base has played for over 500 hours! That’s a little under 200K people. Astro Bot is also an evergreen seller, albeit a more niche, family one Astro Bot, 2024’s winner, has now sold 4.7M copies and generated $291M in revenue. The budget, including marketing, is almost certainly under $100M, given the small Japan-based core team and three-year dev timeline. You can really see why the tides are changing toward less expensive hubs. Astro Bot is the only first-party winner on this list, but follows other first-party winners of The Last of Us Part II (2020’s winner), God of War (2018), and Breath of the Wild (2017). Around 46.6% of Astro Bot’s copies sold have been physical, which is far higher than the typical game. This makes sense for a couple of reasons: There’s a large family audience for this one, and physical boxes are an item to wrap when giving Astro as a gift. Astro has collector value for the PlayStation core (this is nostalgia-fueled platformer celebrating PlayStation’s history) Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Astro is another one of those games that continues selling over time, regularly selling more than 100K a month. It’s sold around 1M more copies this year ($60M in revenue) and is a popular title with families. We can see this using the Alinea platform’s MAU crossover tool: Astro Bot’s top #2, #3, and #4 games by crossover in any given month this year are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox – without fail. The #1 title every month, though, is Astro’s Playroom, a pack-in with all PS5 consoles. For every month this year, between 20% and 30% of Astro Bot players also played Astro’s Playroom that month. So the free pack-in is a noice funnel for converting players to a full paid product. Expedition 33 sells 8.7M despite Game Pass cannibalisation Finally, we have last year’s winner – Expedition 33. The turn-based-RPG banger has generated $366M via 8.7M copies sold, with 58.8% on Steam, 35.7% on PS5, and 5.5% on Xbox. Xbox’s share of copies sold is this low due to Expedition 33 launching on Game Pass, where 4.3M people across console and PC accessed the game. A little under 700K Xbox players used their subscription to play Expedition 33 this year. That said, the game’s 1.5-year Game Pass deal ended last week on October 16, and we’re already beginning to see a positive trend on Expedition 33’s copies sold via Xbox (but the jury’s still out!). There’s understandably a lot of French pride behind this one, as France is the game’s #3 market on both Steam and PlayStation. Vive la France! One thing that stood out to me is that the GOTY winners aren’t $300M Hollywood productions made in the US. They’re mostly mid-budget studios outside the traditional AAA cost centres. Lots to think about there. Also, good games sell well; who’d have thunk it!? And there’s a whole load of them this year, with GTA 6 still to come, too. GTA just made the cutoff point for the VGAs this year. What a coincidence! Loading... Cool links and other stuff Our physical games newsletter from Tuesday was picked up by GameSpot, Eurogamer, TweakTown, and a bunch of others. We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply right here on Substack/email, and we’ll set you up. Next week, we’ve got some exciting news regarding the future of our newsletter, so stay tuned! The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. Want to see why these companies (and many others) are subscribed to Alinea? Get a free platform trial! [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]

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Oct 22 • 1:02 PM EDT • Technology • alineaanalytics.substack.com
GTA 6 Standard Edition vs. Ultimate Edition: Which Version Is the Better Deal?

Rockstar offers two ways to experience GTA 6; here's how to choose which one is for you.

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Oct 22 • 12:23 PM EDT • Technology • pcmag.com
Chvrches announces new album and 2027 North American tour

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches returns to Southern California next spring, with concerts at the Observatory North Park in San Diego on March 12 and the Hollywood Palladium

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Oct 22 • 12:00 PM EDT • Entertainment • recorderonline.com
VU–Vanderbilt Health team invents protective glove to better heal injured hands

Hand injuries reduce operational readiness in military populations. The GRASP Hand system could change that.

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Oct 22 • 11:27 AM EDT • Health • news.vumc.org
Conan O'Brien met his match on 'Subway Takes.' She's a 68-year-old bar owner from Brooklyn.

O'Brien was killing it on the popular internet talk show. Then Debbie Shields sat down next to him.

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Oct 22 • 11:26 AM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com
Patriots vs. Bears Key Matchup: DeMario Douglas vs. Kyler Gordon in the Slot

Many want to talk about Drake Maye and Caleb Williams in tonight's game, but there may be a war in the slot position tonight between "Pop" Douglas and star nickel defensive back Kyler Gordon.

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Oct 22 • 10:13 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Grab your popcorn: Swansea movie theater finally opening its doors

Entertainment Luxury Cinemas has announced its official opening today at 207 Swansea Mall Drive. Will you be among the first to christen the new theater?

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Oct 22 • 9:44 AM EDT • Entertainment • heraldnews.com
Some people really are werewolves—at least, in their minds

People with clinical lycanthropy are trapped in a body-horror nightmare.

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Oct 22 • 9:02 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Have scientists finally found a way to save the banana from disaster?

With the climate crisis and diseases threatening one of the world’s most popular fruits, researchers are hoping a breakthrough in breeding techniques could give the Cavendish banana a certain future

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Oct 22 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • theguardian.com
Insta360 Mic review: A midrange mic kit that's anything but boring

In an ocean of boring microphones, Insta360’s Mic adds a (customizable) pop of color.

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Oct 22 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • engadget.com
The consumer-voter is killing German politics

Friedrich Merz's collapse in popularity owes less to his own failings than to the hollowing out of civic culture across the world's democracies.

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Oct 22 • 7:42 AM EDT • Politics • engelsbergideas.com
A political bogeyman has emerged in L.A.: Ousted D.A. George Gascón

George Gascón has disappeared from public life. But critics are trying to tie the unpopular ex-prosecutor to candidates Nithya Raman and Marissa Roy.

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Oct 22 • 6:00 AM EDT • Politics • latimes.com
Burning through Türkiye's GDP: The high cost of fossil fuel PM2.5 pollution on public health – Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air

Türkiye’s reliance on fossil fuels is generating massive air pollution health costs both within the country and throughout the region. This report finds that fossil fuels account for more than half (52%) of Türkiye’s population exposure to PM2.5 air pollution. The cumulative health impacts are estimated to cost the Turkish economy approximately USD 55 billion each year, equivalent to 4.1% of national GDP in 2024. The pollution is also responsible for roughly 26,500 deaths per year in the country, including deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, stroke, and diabetes.The impacts begin at the very start of life, with fossil-fuel-derived PM2.5 pollution contributing to an estimated 8,000 preterm births, 8,200 low-birthweight infants, 5,100 new cases of childhood asthma, and 6,500 emergency-room visits for asthma each year in Türkiye.Beyond the estimated deaths each year in Türkiye, air pollution from the country’s fossil fuel emissions also contributes to deaths and economic losses in neighbouring countries. In 2024, these emissions were estimated to cause: 32,000 deaths and USD 2.1 billion in economic burden in Egypt; 1,700 deaths and USD 0.2 billion in economic burden in Syria; 800 deaths and USD 0.8 billion in economic burden in Iraq; 500 deaths and USD 4.5 billion in economic burden in Israel; and 400 deaths and USD 1.5 billion in economic burden in Greece.Türkiye currently has no national ambient air-quality standard for PM2.5, despite the substantial health burden associated with exposure to the pollutant. Figure — The percentage of annual PM2.5 emissions in Türkiye’s fossil fuel emissions, using the EMEP emission inventory and EMEP MSC-W chemical transport model Key findings Türkiye’s fossil fuel emissions (from domestic sources as well as international aviation and shipping) account for 52% of population exposure to PM₂.₅ nationwide. PM2.5 pollution attributable to Türkiye’s fossil fuel use is responsible for approximately 26,500 deaths in the country every year, including deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Children are among the most affected, with fossil fuel-derived PM2.5 pollution contributing to an estimated 8,000 preterm births, 8,200 low-birth-weight infants, 5,100 new cases of childhood asthma and 6,500 emergency room visits for asthma each year. The cumulative health impacts of fossil fuel-derived PM2.5 pollution are estimated to cost the Turkish economy approximately USD 55 billion each year, equivalent to 4.1% of national GDP in 2024. Transboundary pollution attributable to Türkiye’s land-based fossil fuel emissions also leads to thousands of deaths in five neighbouring countries, with estimated economic burden per year (as of 2024) reaching USD 2.1 billion in Egypt (3,200 deaths), USD 0.2 billion in Syria (1,700 deaths), USD 0.8 billion in Iraq (800 deaths), USD 4.5 billion in Israel (500 deaths), and USD 1.5 billion in Greece (400 deaths). Türkiye currently has no national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5, despite the substantial health burden associated with exposure to the pollutant. Reducing fossil fuel use and emissions across Türkiye’s energy, transport and industrial systems would deliver substantial air quality and public health benefits by reducing exposure to PM2.5 and preventing associated illness and deaths. Figure — Annual deaths attributable to Türkiye’s land-based fossil fuel emissions in the five most affected countries, based on 2024 emissions

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Oct 22 • 3:00 AM EDT • Health • energyandcleanair.org
Signs of opposition - Illinois Times, the capital city's source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture

Signs popping up across Springfield make a blunt pitch to voters: “Landlord registration raises your taxes! Say no.” The Springfield Area Landlord Association, which is behind the signs, said they’re meant to warn voters about what the group sees as the inevitable costs of a landlord registration program. On Nov. 3, Springfield voters will weigh […]

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Oct 22 • 2:00 AM EDT • Politics • illinoistimes.com
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Chandler pub, central Phoenix brunch spot dinged for health violations

Jason Barry reports on the Valley restaurants that did not make the grade for October 21, including some popular chains and bars.

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Oct 22 • 1:39 AM EDT • Health • wsmv.com
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Baby manta rays stick to the shallows to avoid sharks and orca

Adults can reach 30 feet long and weigh over 4,400 pounds, but coastal areas offer the young fish space to grow.

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Oct 22 • 12:00 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
[COVER STORY] Kids on stage: How young is too young to debut in K-pop?

A2O LITE, a K-pop act that debuted last week, gained attention not only because its debut single "Neon" topped Melon's Top 100 chart about 29 hours...

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Oct 21 • 10:34 PM EDT • Entertainment • koreatimes.co.kr
Midterms and Iran: Congress could change hands, but Trump would still control the war

On January 10, 2007, President George W. Bush announced a surge of tens of thousands of additional troops to Iraq — among the least popular decisions of his presidency. As a senior adviser, I watched from National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley’s West Wing office.

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Oct 21 • 8:00 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
The science of bouncing back

On Oct. 14, Truwit joined Dr. Lauri Santos, professor of Yale University’s popular ‘Psychology and the Good Life,’ and host of ‘The Happiness Lab’ podcast, for a live taping at the Boston Museum of Science.

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Oct 21 • 8:00 PM EDT • Science • thetech.com
Trump administration drops legal fight to overhaul student loan forgiveness program

The Trump administration is moving to end its legal fight to overhaul a popular student loan forgiveness program. The Department of Justice appealed after federal judges ruled in June in

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Oct 21 • 7:09 PM EDT • Politics • lancasteronline.com
Pope Leo won’t need additional treatment after cancer surgery

Doctors removed the lower lobe of the Chicago-born pontiff's right lung.

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Oct 21 • 5:21 PM EDT • Business • chicagobusiness.com
AI-powered robots can be tricked into slicing off fingers

One secret code word is all it takes.

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Oct 21 • 4:14 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Populous and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment Debut Phase Three of Barclays Center Transformation

Brooklyn-inspired hospitality spaces and a reimagined fan arrival experience advance a long-term vision for the arena.——–A reimagined 9,000-square-foot hospitality destination was also debuted and inspired by the layered evolution of Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood and Barclays Center’s tradition of celebrating the borough through thoughtfully designed spaces. Steel trusses span the high ceilings, while brick and concrete finishes […]

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Oct 21 • 3:59 PM EDT • Entertainment • populous.com
Populous and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment Debut Phase Three of Barclays Center Transformation

Brooklyn-inspired hospitality spaces and a reimagined fan arrival experience advance a long-term vision for the arena.——–A reimagined 9,000-square-foot hospitality destination was also debuted and inspired by the layered evolution of Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood and Barclays Center’s tradition of celebrating the borough through thoughtfully designed spaces. Steel trusses span the high ceilings, while brick and concrete finishes […]

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Oct 21 • 3:59 PM EDT • Sports • populous.com
'Nobody knows what to do': How Long COVID left Physics Girl searching for answers

San Diego's Dianna Cowern, also known as Physics Girl, was one of the internet's most popular science communicators. Long COVID left her bedbound and facing a medical mystery with life-and-death stakes.

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Oct 21 • 2:29 PM EDT • Science • kpbs.org
Popular olive oil shot trend has Americans chasing health benefits as doctor questions the hype

Should you take olive oil shots to boost health? Harvard-trained doctor Nick Norwitz, M.D., Ph.D., shares what you need to know about the trending wellness habit.

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Oct 21 • 1:58 PM EDT • Health • foxnews.com
WoW Forever Beta Extended to Friday, Name Reservations Go Live Tuesday

The World of Warcraft Forever beta has been incredibly popular, but just like any other beta, it has to come to an end as the full launch approaches. But Blizzard has extended the beta by a couple of days.

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Oct 21 • 1:52 PM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Vanderbilt Institute for Population and Public Health celebrates two decades of transformative success

The Institute for Population and Public Health at Vanderbilt connects research, training and teaching with policy and practical solutions.

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Oct 21 • 1:36 PM EDT • Health • news.vumc.org
Distant space ‘hamburger’ hides a baby gas giant

GoHam is almost 93 billion miles wide.

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Oct 21 • 12:04 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Spooooooky! Alaskan man makes terrifying ‘kelp-o'-lanterns’

The kelp-y creations will only look creepier with time.

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Oct 21 • 10:48 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More

iPhone Duo will start arriving to pre-order customers this Friday, and in anticipation of the launch we've gathered all of the best cases and screen protectors you can get for your new iPhone Duo. This includes accessories from popular brands like OtterBox, Speck, ZAGG/Mophie, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

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Oct 21 • 10:25 AM EDT • Technology • macrumors.com
Trump calls for data center ‘dividends’ in bid to win over midterm voters

President’s social media post says sites should pay the communities where they will be located and comes amid growing unpopularity of facilities

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Oct 21 • 6:30 AM EDT • Politics • theguardian.com
Turner trying to stave off challenge from Lesko in senate campaign

Frank Lesko defeated a popular incumbent in 2024, but to do it again, he will have to navigate state political waters.

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Oct 21 • 5:04 AM EDT • Politics • sj-r.com
Why Coco Gauff’s appearance in Gunna’s ‘Pop It’ music video is much more than a serve

Her role in rapper Gunna's “Pop It” video emphasizes her celebrity across music and fashion as much as tennis.

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Oct 21 • 5:01 AM EDT • Sports • nytimes.com
Inside the science of reading approach to literacy instruction

Schools still face obstacles with the popular approach, including that implementation and teacher supports focus mainly on younger students.

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Oct 21 • 5:00 AM EDT • Science • yahoo.com
The Data Behind Why Mobile Entertainment Feels More Personal Than It Used To - 360 MAGAZINE - GREEN | DESIGN | POP

Nine in ten Americans own a smartphone, and most of what’s on it has been quietly sorted for them.

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Oct 21 • 2:48 AM EDT • Entertainment • the360mag.com
A 1960 Science Paper Set Doomsday for Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, and Its Population Math Held Up for Three Decades

A 1960 Science paper predicted doomsday on Nov. 13, 2026. There is no threat, but its population equation beat most forecasts until about 1993.

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Oct 21 • 12:18 AM EDT • Science • natureworldnews.com
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Leica and Formula 1 Shift Into Gear With Limited Edition Q3 43

The Leica Q3 is the company's most popular model.

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Oct 20 • 11:00 PM EDT • Technology • petapixel.com
Popular supplement combinations may carry unexpected risks, health expert warns

Clinical pharmacist Jim LaValle discusses why taking excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals can pose health risks, and how identifying nutritional deficiencies can help guide safer supplementation.

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Oct 20 • 9:22 PM EDT • Health • foxnews.com
Monkeys also avoid germs after viral outbreaks

Macaques who survived the spread of a deadly disease were more wary of potentially contaminated food.

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Oct 20 • 7:05 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Roman sarcophagus inside Westminster Abbey originally held a different body

A case of coffin swapping may explain the mysterious medieval burial.

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Oct 20 • 7:01 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Toy Story 5, Backrooms and The Breadwinner Vie to Become the Second Biggest Film This Year...

(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Often, people blame “data” for ruining Hollywood, when I’d argue that hype (which can often be debunked by data) is often worse, as you can see in these two headlines. To use a common meme, here’s how it started: and how it’s going: Earlier this year, I read countless (and I mean countless) articles (in almost every mainstream media outlet) about how Heated Rivalry was a huge hit and that it “heated” interest in hockey. But Heated Rivalry wasn’t a huge viewership hit compared to the hype: [ ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) [ You Can’t Eat Buzz…Did Heated Rivalry’s Buzz Translate into Actual Viewership? ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) Entertainment Strategy Guy · Jan 22 [ Read full story ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) In this case, the hype (Heated Rivalry is really popular) belied the data (It didn’t make the top ten charts, meaning it wasn’t a huge hit.1) Even worse, every time I write about this, I get a lot of negative feedback, hence why I only sparingly mention the show these days or add lots of caveats when I write about it, but this just further cements the hype. But companies, and the executives leading them, have to determine strategy based on reality, not media coverage. The NHL committed real marketing dollars to a campaign that didn’t work. Sure enough, the latest NHL season opened to under a million viewers. At some point, you have to focus on what the data says, because real dollars are at stake. And that’s why we have the Streaming Ratings Report! To provide and analyze cold, hard data. Luckily, this week, I can be positive and take a look at a huge opening on streaming, along with a very buzzy horror film that customers kind of like, but don’t really love. And a comedy that tried to rebound on streaming. Today, I’m covering two weeks—21-Sep and 28-Sep—so we have a lot to discuss (nearly 5,000 words worth), including a series of film misses for Netflix, another argument for weekly-released TV shows on streaming, another sitcom tries to avoid the comedy curse, Netflix has two new game shows (one powered by AI), Reacher falling off the charts after a huge run, Prime Video tries its hands at the romcom game**,** a look at the WNBA’s big season, a big night for the VMAs on CBS and MTV, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 14th to October 4th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - Two Hits and a Miss Come to Streaming… Three very interesting films came to streaming in one week, and I like comparing them since they show the range of theatrical films. One was a huge blockbuster, one was popular, and one was neither. One is a horror film, a buzzy genre; one is a comedy, a struggling genre; and one is an animated family film, the king of the box office. One went to a tiny streamer (HBO Max), one went to a second-tier streamer (Disney+), and one went to the biggest (Netflix). So… If you just went by box office, you’d expect Backrooms—the $197 million grosser, and partner of Obsession for “YouTube Horror Summer”—to dominate on streaming. If you read this report, though, you know that horror films don’t do great on streaming, and that’s the case again. Backrooms opened at 3.8 million hours according to Nielsen, and had 3.9 million hours in its second week. Here’s how that stacks up to other HBO Max films: 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… ...why I don’t buy Backrooms budget… …two new games shows arrive on streaming… …another sitcom struggles… ...another argument for putting out shows weekly on Netflix... ...and a whole lot more, nearly 5,000 words more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Next week, I’ll be taking a look at the eighth season of Hulu’s The Kardashians, answering the question: will this show ever make the charts? If Mormon wives can make it, surely one of social media’s most popular families can as well. Also, Prime Video has a new horror show based on popular IP, Carrie, Netflix has a horror show starring Josh Hartnett, Below, and Apple TV has a UK import, Small Prophets. Plus a bunch of movies like Disclosure Day heading to Peacock, The Housemaid coming to HBO Max, Ben Affleck’s latest on Apple TV, Animals, and Matchbox the Movie on Apple TV, a John Cena action comedy inspired by Hasbro’s toy cars. The week after is even busier! I’ll look at another IP-based horror show, Crystal Lake, a new MCU show on Disney+, VisionQuest, season two of The Lowdown on FX/Hulu, the fourth seasons of The Diplomat on Netflix and Tulsa King on Paramount+, another season of Love is Blind, and four straight-to-streaming films: Netflix’s Sacrifice (starring Chris Evens, Anya-Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, Salma Hayek. Charlie XCX), Apple TV’s Tenzing (starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Defoe), Prime Video’s Love of Your Life (Margaret Qualley) and Masterplan (Stanley Tucci) and a whole lot more, somehow. Long term, here’s some huge IP news: a Game of Thrones movie is coming to theaters, Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest in 2029, while Jon Watts (who helmed three of the most recent Spider-Man movies) is directing the next Star Wars trilogy, to be written by Simon Kinberg. I’m cautiously optimistic for both. It feels obvious to say that making good movies matters, but for bets this big (Star Wars is on a swoon, Game of Thrones hasn’t been to theaters yet), the quality has to be there.

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Oct 20 • 6:30 PM EDT • Entertainment • entertainment.substack.com
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As flag football becomes official sport in Oregon, Salem-Keizer coaches, players hopeful about future

The decision is particularly meaningful for some Salem-Keizer Public Schools teams that have been invested since the sport began gaining popularity in 2023.

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Oct 20 • 6:00 PM EDT • Sports • salemreporter.com
From ‘50 bucks and a 423 credit score’: Family popcorn business marks 8 years

The founder of Robinson’s Popcorn, a family-run West Michigan business, is celebrating eight years in business by passing the keys to his daughter.

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Oct 20 • 3:36 PM EDT • Business • woodtv.com
Reds Executive Has Message as Popular Tour Returns in 2027

The Savannah Bananas are coming back to Great American Ball Park for a third straight summer.

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Oct 20 • 2:31 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Online student expands domain from sports blogosphere to city hall

Grand Canyon University online student Jon Zaghloul learned about communications from the blogosphere. He started "Sports Talk Chicago," a popular sports blog, and that was […]

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Oct 20 • 1:21 PM EDT • Sports • news.gcu.edu
Scientists discover a promising blood sugar–regulating compound in red alga

It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia. Yet, despite its widespread consumption, ...

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Oct 20 • 11:40 AM EDT • Science • phys.org
Calipatria mental health team hosts game for population

Mental health staff at Calipatria State Prison hosted a game for the population as part of Suicide Prevention Month.

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Oct 20 • 11:17 AM EDT • Health • cdcr.ca.gov
New comet accidentally discovered by space telescope

The ‘happy coincidence’ is currently more than 807 million miles from Earth.

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Oct 20 • 11:15 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Giants Cut Ties with Former Steelers RB Najee Harris

The New York Giants are releasing former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and first-round pick Najee Harris, per Ian Rapoport of […]

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Oct 20 • 11:08 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Bat Beauty Contest returns October 24

Who will take ‘Hoary Potter’s’ crown?

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Oct 20 • 10:30 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
The Odds: GOP Popularity?
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Oct 20 • 9:54 AM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
Looted French goods are popping up on resale site Vinted

The second-hand online marketplace Vinted has removed listings of looted French goods and stepped up checks on “suspicious” adverts, as the country’s authorities seek to prevent goods stolen during riots from being sold online.

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Oct 20 • 9:28 AM EDT • Business • cnn.com
Mahjong studio opens in Blue Springs as the centuries-old Chinese game sees a surge in new players

A new Blue Springs studio, Bam Bird Social, is dedicated to teaching and playing mahjong as the game surges in popularity.

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Oct 20 • 6:50 AM EDT • Business • kshb.com
France Protests Show Europe’s Shift Away From Centrist Politics

Europe’s centrist parties are losing ground among young people and workers, who are increasingly tempted by populist promises of radical change.

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Oct 20 • 5:01 AM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com
One of Samsung's most popular phones is now getting stable One UI 9 with Android 17

One of the most popular Samsung phones, the Galaxy A36 5G, is now getting the stable One UI 9 update with Android 17 in Europe.

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Oct 20 • 4:59 AM EDT • Technology • androidauthority.com
How Rutgers Is Training Tomorrow’s Public Health Heroes

Since its launch in 2024, the Rutgers Health Service Corps has connected students with faculty and staff to improve population health outcomes throughout New Jersey

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Oct 20 • 3:40 AM EDT • Health • newswise.com
Here's how Central District Health plans to spend over $200k on the Treasure Valley's growing rat population
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Oct 20 • 12:22 AM EDT • Health • yahoo.com
Here's how Central District Health plans to spend over $200k on the Treasure Valley's growing rat population
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Oct 20 • 12:22 AM EDT • Health • ktvb.com
Franklin Publishes Book Review in <em>Political Theory</em>

A. Todd Franklin, the Eugene M. Tobin Distinguished Professor of Philosophy & Africana Studies, has published a review of Michael J. Illuzzi's Mending the Nation: Reclaiming "We the People" in a Populist Age (University Press of Kansas, 2025) in Politica

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Oct 19 • 8:00 PM EDT • Politics • hamilton.edu
Miami Cuban bakery caught in political firestorm after hosting Democrats

The visit took place at CAO Bakery in Pinecrest, a popular Cuban American business known for its pastelitos and cafecito. Some social media users criticized the bakery for hosting the Democratic politicians, accusing them of being associated with socialism.

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Oct 19 • 7:50 PM EDT • Politics • nbcmiami.com
Charli XCX brings 'Music, Fashion, Film' to the Kia Forum

The English pop star brought her tour behind this year's 'Music, Fashion, Film' to Inglewood's Kia Forum for two shows over the weekend.

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Oct 19 • 5:12 PM EDT • Entertainment • latimes.com
Bauers Is One of Brewers’ Biggest Strengths in World Series

Fresh off his NLCS MVP performance, Jake Bauers anchors a low-power lineup with elite patience and game-changing pop, making him the Milwaukee Brewers’ X-factor in the World Series.

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Oct 19 • 5:00 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Scientist tattoos himself with disappearing ink

The dye appears only after exposure to UV light.

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Oct 19 • 3:57 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Roman child’s grave contains coin to pay afterlife entry fee

The 1,750-year-old remains were unearthed under a construction site in Bulgaria.

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Oct 19 • 2:48 PM EDT • Science • popsci.com
Life in the deep Gulf plummeted after Deepwater Horizon

A new study has found populations of deep-water fish species, crustaceans and squid declined significantly following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

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Oct 19 • 12:50 PM EDT • Science • news.fiu.edu
PlayStation 6 RAM and Storage Alone May Cost $680, According to Leaker

The PlayStation 6 hasn't even been announced yet, but little rumors pop up now and then that add speculation on what to expect from Sony's next-gen console. The latest is a shocking claim that the RAM and storage configuration of the console will cost more than the entirety of the PS5.

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Oct 19 • 11:51 AM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Fall Into Music: A Night of Pop-Ups & Live Entertainment!
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Oct 19 • 11:43 AM EDT • Entertainment • wsbt.com
See your patient population more clearly with the UNOS SDOH Report

The UNOS Social Determinants of Health Report helps transplant programs better understand the social and economic factors affecting their patient populations through center-specific data and regional, peer and national comparisons. These insights can help programs identify trends, support quality improvement and advance more equitable access to transplantation.

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Oct 19 • 11:03 AM EDT • Health • unos.org
Car Keys in Apple Wallet coming soon to three popular vehicle brands

Apple Wallet car keys are about to get a big expansion, with GM adding support for three vehicle brands: Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC.

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Oct 19 • 10:31 AM EDT • Technology • 9to5mac.com
The Business Behind Matcha

Matcha is a ground green tea powder with roots in ancient Japanese culture, dating back centuries. Only recently has the drink reached a wider global audience, appearing on cafe menus worldwide. Its growing popularity raises a question: How does a product that has been around for so long suddenly become a global trend? During the […]

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Oct 19 • 10:20 AM EDT • Business • yucommentator.org
Your Fruits and Veggies Are Losing Their Nutrients—Here’s Why

The Green Revolution did wonders to increase calories to feed a growing population, but the nutritional value of those crops didn’t experience the same boom.

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Oct 19 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • popularmechanics.com
Expert ‘bat wranglers’ put GPS trackers on California’s bats

These winged mammals can cover a lot of ground during their seasonal migrations.

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Oct 19 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • popsci.com
eMed Population Health Appoints Marisstella Marinkovic as Chief Communications Officer

/PRNewswire/ -- eMed Population Health today announced the appointment of Marisstella Marinkovic as Chief Communications Officer (CCO). A transformational...

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Oct 19 • 8:34 AM EDT • Health • prnewswire.com
Houston’s Asian population surges, but political representation lags, Rice study finds

As early voting begins, new Rice research sheds light on why some members of one of Houston’s fastest-growing populations say they remain underrepresented in local politics.

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Oct 19 • 8:00 AM EDT • Politics • news.rice.edu
Digital health coaching is becoming a popular program for older adults
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Oct 19 • 7:41 AM EDT • Health • cbsnews.com
High-Signal Publisher
CVC: Between science fiction and practicality

Corporate investors bring a real-world industry lens to the innovations they look at, which often means not going after the most overtly popular options.

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Oct 19 • 7:03 AM EDT • Science • globalventuring.com
Ashwagandha Promises Calm. The Science Is More Complicated

The popular supplement may help ease stress, but evidence for anxiety remains uncertain–and rare side effects complicate its soothing reputation.

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Oct 19 • 5:43 AM EDT • Science • wired.me
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HMG Pop Up Paper Extends 3D Paper Engineering Into New Wholesale Stationery Lines

Hanoi manufacturer introduces pop-up business cards, affirmation cards and structural invitations while updating how it evaluates customer outco...

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Oct 19 • 5:24 AM EDT • Business • markets.businessinsider.com
Toca Boca World x KPop Demon Hunters: Release date, outfits, music

Finally, your avatar can wear HUNTR/X outfits while listening to "Golden" on loop.

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Oct 19 • 5:14 AM EDT • Entertainment • mashable.com