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Find local prep and college sports scores online this weekend
Rogue Valley Times Sports Editor Kris Henry is on vacation. Find local prep and college scores online at www.osaa.org/activities/fall and www.souraiders.com. Sports coverage will resume online this coming week and […]
Navajo Nation-owned North Stone wins Air Force IT contract
Navajo Nation-owned North Stone LLC won an Air Force investigative agency IT contract. Its value and term were not disclosed.
Will Arsenal be awarded trophies after Manchester City guilty verdict?
Rival fans have been reacting to reports that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. The verdict was reportedly delivered by an in...
Second-line season kicks into high gear this weekend in New Orleans. Here’s the schedule.
With the exception of Sundays during Christmas, Carnival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, some 40 second-lines roll each week until around mid-June.
ESPN's Bill Connelly's analysis offers insight for Florida football
ESPN's Bill Connelly evaluates the state of the SEC, including the Florida Gators' hot start and their matchup with Ole Miss.
Yankees Rivalry Roundup: AL West madness reaches new low
Recapping how the Yankees’ top AL opponents fared on September 25th.
Two astronauts who flew farther than anyone before are taking new NASA roles
Artemis II astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are transitioning to emeritus status at NASA after their historic journey around the Moon earlier this year. The pair will continue advising and mentoring NASA teams as preparations accelerate for Artemis III and future lunar missions. Their experience with Orion and deep-space operations could prove especially valuable as NASA works toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
FORT4FITNESS: Running for health and connection
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Thousands of people run in the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival each year. Each runner or walker has a fitness journey and reasons why they run. Molly McGuire shares how y…
Global health summit in Saranac Lake tackles the shifting threat of dengue fever
The Trudeau Institute hosted a summit to discuss ongoing evaluation of treatments for the battle against dengue fever.
How to watch Alabama State football vs Mississippi Valley State
Where to watch or stream Alabama State football's game against Mississippi Valley State in Week 4.
Alabama State football vs Mississippi Valley State live updates, analysis
Alabama State football plays Mississippi Valley State in the conference opener. Follow live score updates, highlights, key plays and instant analysis.
The Motorola Signature 27 has one huge advantage over other Samsung rivals
If we're going to get a serious challenge to Samsung in the US, it has to come from Motorola, and the Signature 27 is a solid start.
Lord’s Acre Festival serves up food, entertainment, mingling - The Daily Reporter
Volunteers help fill containers with chicken and noodles Sept. 19 during the Lord’s Acre Festival at McCordsville United Methodist Church in McCordsville. The perennially popular dish is sold for festival dining or carry-out until it sells out. The 74th annual festival took place Sept. 18-19.
‘Pawn Stars’ star Rick Harrison gets heartbreaking news on heels of heart surgery
It has been a rough year for the History Channel star.
Geiger, Byer Vie for Rockland Area House Seat
ROCKLAND — Residents of Rockland, North Haven, Matinicus, and part of Owls Head will decide whether to return Democrat Valli Geiger to the State House or elect political newcomer Melissa
Ken San Jose set for Broadway debut in ‘Evita’ revival
Ken San Jose will star in the upcoming Broadway revival of "Evita" via Instagram/@ kensanjose Filipino American performer Ken San Jose will make his Broadway debut in the 2027 revival of Evita, joining the ensemble of director Jamie Lloyd’s production starring Rachel Zegler as Eva Perón. Previews begin Feb. 27 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York,…
Lompoc Chalks Returns October 2–4 with 40 Artists, Live Entertainment, and a New Meet the Artists Kick Off
The Lompoc Theatre Project is excited to announce the return of Lompoc Chalks, its free, family-friendly street art festival celebrating creativity,
Renaissance Festival returns with new entertainment lineup
Located just north of Charlotte in Huntersville, the festival transforms a 25-acre outdoor village into a European-style country fair filled with fantasy, history, and live entertainment.
Owner says fencing outside longtime Greektown liquor store hurts business, sues
Athens Liquor owner Ather Butris claims street festival fencing has become a barrier to his bottom line, prompting a lawsuit against the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership.
I Had 5 Key Pillars of Health Tested, in Less Than Six Hours
With two Biograph locations, one in New York and one in the San Francisco bay area, the preventative care clinics evaluate assessments across five key pillars of health.
2026 Maker Faire in Vallejo intersects art, science and all things inquisitive
Now in its 20th year, Maker Faire returned Friday to Mare Island’s historic Naval Shipyard, bringing together artists, engineers, scientists, students and curious minds from across the region for a weekend of experimentation and creativity.
Changing the partying landscape: Health and wellness parties to come to fraternity and sorority life across the country
The wellness industry has surpassed a value of $6 trillion dollars this year, according to Forbes. In the saturated wellness market, brands like Marty Moc’s Sweat and Soak is trying to be the next big thing that wellness consumers move toward. Marty Mocs, a 24-year old recent graduate of Liberty University, started his wellness brand...
NYFF Turns Up The Heat As ‘Godzilla’, ‘Artificial’, ‘NAZA’, ‘You Can See Everything’ Spark Festival Buzz
The New York Film Festival opens Friday night with a lineup featuring great films of 2026 along with heavy-hitting world premieres. Artistic director Dennis Lim insists the global bows are not “the be...
Cotton candy catering: Kiffany Bosserman refined her taste for business (and the value of her time)
After nearly a decade in business, Cottontale KC is still spinning sugar into a confection for success, shared founder Kiffany Bosserman — pivoting her business to say “yes” less and reprioritize the balance of family and life and profitability.
How to watch Valdosta vs Stockbridge high school football
You can watch Valdosta football all season long with NFHS Network, including this week’s game against Stockbridge.
Autumn Leaves Festival -- where the past touches the present
Visitors to the Balladeer Hotel late Thursday morning got a glimpse into the future — and a taste of the past.
ProTributeBands.com Clarifies Direct Booking Model for Corporate Event Entertainment Planners
SAN RAMON, CA - September 25, 2026 - PRESSADVANTAGE -ProTributeBands.com, the curated booking and lead generation platform for high-end tribute bands, has outlined how its direct-booking structure works for event planners seeking corporate event entertainment. Under the model, bands featured on the platform negotiate terms and close each booking directly with the client, while ProTributeBands follows up to keep the transaction moving smoothly.The structure separates ProTributeBands.com from traditional booking agencies that insert themselves into every contract. Rather than acting as an intermediary that controls the final agreement, the platform connects event planners, performing arts centers, festivals, wedding clients, and private party hosts with pre-screened, national-act-caliber tribute acts, then steps back so the parties can settle details themselves. The platform maintains contact with both sides to ensure momentum is not lost during the process.Founded by David Victor, former guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the multiplatinum band BOSTON, ProTributeBands.com features tribute acts covering artists such as Queen, The Beatles, ABBA, Journey, The Eagles, and Pink Floyd. Selected bands receive optimized profile pages and booking leads generated through the platform."Event planners often assume a booking platform means another layer of negotiation and markup," said David Victor, Founder of ProTributeBands.com. "The approach here is different. The bands negotiate terms and close each booking directly, which keeps the conversation honest and the details accurate. The platform stays involved by following up so nothing stalls between the first inquiry and the signed agreement."The direct-booking method reflects how corporate and private event planning typically operates. Planners frequently need to confirm technical requirements, stage dimensions, scheduling, and performance specifics with the people who will actually be on stage. By allowing those conversations to happen between the client and the band, the model aims to reduce miscommunication that can occur when information passes through a third party.ProTributeBands.com applies a screening process before an act appears on the platform, focusing on production quality, musicianship, and readiness for larger venues. The company ranks tribute bands across categories including Queen, The Beatles, The Eagles, Journey, Pink Floyd, and BOSTON tributes, drawing on performance quality and audience response.The ProTributeBands guide to hiring a tribute band offers additional context for planners weighing these decisions, covering topics such as understanding the audience and event, assessing entertainment value, viewing an act in person before hiring, and reviewing rider and insurance requirements. The guide addresses the practical considerations planners face when selecting an act for a corporate function, festival, or private celebration."A tribute production for a corporate audience has to hold the room the same way a headline act would," Victor said. "The vetting exists so planners can trust that the act they see listed can deliver at that level, and the direct-booking structure lets them confirm every detail with the band before committing."ProTributeBands.com serves clients across the United States and abroad, working with tribute acts that perform at performing arts centers, summer concert series, product launches, corporate parties, private parties, and wedding receptions. The platform also accepts artist submissions from tribute bands seeking consideration for inclusion. The company operates online at protributebands.com.###For more information about ProTributeBands.com, contact the company here:ProTributeBands.comDavid Victor(925) 236-0217hello@protributebands.com11040 Bollinger Canyon Road Suite E-938, San Ramon, CA 94582
Dolly Parton recorded a song with Bono before she died
Dolly Parton recorded a duet with Bono just months before she died that will be included on U2's upcoming album 'Carnaval De Luz.'
Pokémon card collector used GPS device to track delivery woman
After 30 years, Pokémon remains among the most desirable collectible franchises in fandom and auctions regularly prove the cards' growing value. But one collector went too far in his efforts…
Federal appeals court rules Pentagon’s blacklist of Anthropic was legal
The Department of Defense can blacklist Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday. The decision is a blow to Anthropic after it won a separate challenge in a California court in August that partially invalidated the Trump administration’s label.
AI ads are popular in the 2026 midterms, but state laws haven’t stopped a lack of disclosure
Campaign advertisements that use AI to attack rival candidates are not uncommon in the 2026 midterms, some more obviously fake than others
Where Dodgers' Pitching Staff Ranks Among Rival Contenders
The Los Angeles Dodgers' arms are among the best, and they need to be the best for this team to win a third-straight World Series title.
River City Science Academy approved to open a seventh charter school at FSCJ’s Beach Blvd. campus
River City Science Academy announced today permit approvals for construction of a new standalone high school on Beach Boulevard.
UN Declaration On Pandemic Readiness Appears Headed For Approval In December
A High Level Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response appeared likely to win approval by the United Nations General Assembly - but only
Microsoft cells out, crams multiple values into Excel boxes
Once a single-scalar home, spreadsheet cells are being redeveloped to handle many tenants
Ketel Marte named NL least valuable player by columnist
Ketel Marte is carrying a batting average that's the second lowest mark of his career and he's hit his fewest home runs in a season since 2022.
Whatley praises NC laws Cooper vetoed on school lessons and transgender athletes
At an event at a Christian private school, Michael Whatley accused Roy Cooper of promoting “values from New York” instead of North Carolina.
What Does Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Shareholder Approval Mean For Its Privatization?
Caesars Entertainment (NasdaqGS:CZR) shareholders have approved the acquisition of the company by Fertitta Gaming. The vote clears a key hurdle for Caesars to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Fertitta Gaming and to complete its move to private ownership. Regulatory and closing conditions now become the next focus as the transaction advances toward completion. The shareholder approval for Fertitta Gaming's takeover of Caesars Entertainment sits against broader shifts our research has...
Quixote shutters supplying business, lays off 60 employees
Hudson Pacific-owned Quixote sold its grip, lighting and production supplies businesses to Cinelease, cutting about 60 jobs as Hollywood's production slump drags on.
Quixote shutters supplying business, lays off 60 employees
Hudson Pacific-owned Quixote sold its grip, lighting and production supplies businesses to Cinelease, cutting about 60 jobs as Hollywood's production slump drags on.
Oceans Calling cancels entire festival as storm silences Ocean City event
BALTIMORE — Oceans Calling canceled the rest of its three-day festival Friday, ending hopes that crews could overcome worsening wind and beach erosion to stage shows Saturday and Sunday at
Oceans Calling cancels entire festival as storm silences Ocean City event
BALTIMORE — Oceans Calling canceled the rest of its three-day festival Friday, ending hopes that crews could overcome worsening wind and beach erosion to stage shows Saturday and Sunday at
Insane $300+ Reprint Value Secret Lair Precon Release Date Seemingly Revealed
Thanks to a Chaos Vault email that appeared earlier today, Secret Lair's Odds and Ends release date has almost certainly been confirmed.
Covington to create special entertainment district for BLINK
There will be murals and installations from the end of the Roebling Bridge to Seventh Street, and festivalgoers can check out the city's bars and restaurants.
Volunteers needed for 2026 haunted science laboratory
Idaho State University and the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello seek volunteers to help set up and staff the 2026 Haunted Science Laboratory in October.
New Chapter of Care Opens in Pleasanton
By Joy Jernigan, Vitals contributor Sutter Health leaders, colleagues, and elected officials gathered Sept. 17 to celebrate the opening of the new Pleasanton Care Complex, an important milestone in Sutter Health’s commitment to expand access to care in the Tri-Valley area. The celebration recognized the many people whose vision, expertise and collaboration helped transform this […]
Quick hitters: O-line health, safety depth and Dan Campbell’s first days in Detroit with Glenn
Allen Park — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell met with the media on Friday. Here are the noteworthy items from those conversations. Healthier up front, banged up in the back It’s good news, bad news on the injury front. First, the offensive line is going to be far closer to full strength with starters Blake Miller (knee) and Christian Mahogany (hip) on track to return to the lineup. That provides stability the offense lacked against Buffalo, particularly at right tackle, where backup Larry Borom allowed 11 quarterback pressures and committed a trio of penalties. Subscribe However, with that same unit, veteran Ben Bartch (foot) is likely to miss Sunday’s matchup with the Jets. The left guard competition that’s been ongoing since May has effectively been whichever option is healthy that week. In the back end, safety Thomas Harper (ankle) is also unlikely to be available on Sunday. That leaves the team precariously thin at the position following Avonte Maddox going on injured reserve this week. Christian Izien is expected to get the start alongside Chuck Clark. “Izzy's been working a lot back there and had a full week,” Campbell said. “And he's gotten a ton of work this week, a ton of reps, full-speed reps. ‘This is what you're going to do, this is the calls’ and just dousing him with full-speed reps and he's done a good job this week.” Safety depth is the bigger concern. The team is expected to count on some combination of Jalen Mills, who signed to the practice squad on Monday, Bishop Fitzgerald, the undrafted rookie poached off the Steelers’ practice squad on Tuesday, and rookie cornerback Keith Abney, who doesn’t have experience at safety. “I'll say this about Abney, man, for a rookie, he's a pretty dang smart, conscientious, aware football player that's got a ton of room to really take off,” Campbell said. “…He's young. He's another one, he just needs reps and reps. But, if we need it, that'll be a guy who may have to go in for us.” You can check here for the full injury report, with game designations, later this afternoon. Reflecting on the past Responding to comments made by Jets coach Aaron Glenn this week, Campbell reflected on his earliest days with the Lions, before the coaching staff had been fleshed out and it was just he and Glenn at the facility working through what they wanted things to look like. “It was just he and I in the lab,” Campbell said. The coach said the two would fill the whiteboard that remains in current coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s office top to bottom with notes about philosophy, coaching style, team identity and the type of players they wanted to target. “He looks different than me,” Campbell said. “I'm taller, I'm whatever. He's quicker. All these different things, man, but we're really the same. I mean we're so much the same. And he's the defensive version, I'm the offensive version. He was my right hand man. …It was fun, man. Those were good days.” Campbell said it was one of the best and worst days of his life when the Jets hired Glenn to be their coach. “AG means the world to me,” Campbell said. “He's one of my dearest friends because I know what he's made of. “…It's because you know you're losing a little piece of you. That's what he meant to me and to us. So, that's hard.” Traits under center A couple of weeks back, Sheppard noted that Brunell had identified Saints quarterback Tyler Shough as the best prospect at the position ahead of the 2025 draft. On Friday, Brunell confirmed his evaluation and explained what he looks for when studying a young quarterback. Here’s the full answer: “Young quarterbacks, you have to look at everything, you know? I look at guys coming out of college just like I look at any free agents that we might be looking at, or guys that we might add to our roster. Do they take care of the ball? Are they on time? How is their decision-making? How are their feet? “It's tough because you look at a college player, you don't understand what they're trying to do offensively, what their reads are, but you can identify when a guy is accurate, obviously, and when the ball's getting there on time. If there are a lot of interceptions, it raises a red flag. And I think with a lot of the spread offenses of what you're seeing, when you see a young player and they're running some pro concepts and he's having to make protection calls, and he's getting the right play out of the run game, and when there's a lot on his plate and he's executing it very well, and he's managing all of that, that really jumps out at you. It’s really hard to find. “That's one thing we saw with Luke Altmeyer. He had a lot of experience. We call it, ‘Hey, he's playing quarterback.’ And what does that mean? It's not just completing passes. It's getting guys lined up, getting the right play, getting the protection call right, just fixing some problems, being able to progress (through reads). And there's still some young guys out there that can do that at a high level, which is good to see.” Regarding Altmyer, who competed for the team’s backup job through the offseason and currently resides on the practice squad, Brunell acknowledged physical development slows once the season starts, because there aren’t reps to go around. However, there’s still extensive mental development that’s ongoing. “The key for him is approach the game as if you're the starter, mentally,” Brunell said. “And that's really all you can do. Approach the game as if you're the starter and be good in the (class)room. You come in alongside Jared (Goff), and you come in alongside Josh (Dobbs) and (do) whatever they need. And if you get an opportunity to talk to Luke, he'll tell you he does have a lot of responsibilities besides just getting donuts for us on Saturday. “For him, it's mentally staying focused, and even though there's really no chance this Sunday of him playing, he has to approach it as if he's taking the first snap and playing the whole game. So what's our game plan? What are our checks? What are we anticipating? And then during the game, we keep him involved as far as looking at coverages and pressures. And so, really, for him, it's just a mental game. And for now, that's all we can do.” Reason for more zone The Lions have significantly increased their usage of zone coverage on defense this season. I asked Campbell if that was a reaction to their personnel or driven by the focus to generate more turnovers, given it can be easier to produce interceptions when you can keep eyes on the quarterback while playing zone. “I think it was a little bit of both,” Campbell said. “We just felt like this would suit us a little bit better up to this point, and then be disruptive and get takeaways, which worked well Week 1. We had two (opportunities) last week against Buffalo we weren’t able to get, but they’re there.” I followed up by asking how much the combination of heavy blitzing with the back end playing zone has contributed to some of the early-season coverage woes, since adding extra players to the pass rush means leaving the coverage short-staffed. “I mean, it’s challenging, and that’s why a lot of the things we’ve done in zone, for the most part, have been to reduce that stress level back there,” Campbell said. “But that also requires the front getting there. And if you don’t get there, we already kind of talked about that, but there (has to be) a trust there.” The alternative, Campbell explained is sending four and it taking longer for the rush to get home, which can create different problems for a defense. “You can bleed yards,” Campbell said about the strategy. “It gets a little longer and it’s dink-and-dunk and run after catch. …So, we do what we think is right by what we feel like our personnel (does well). But also the game plan, who you’re going in to play, the matchups, their offense. “We’re not stuck on one way.” Detroit Football Network is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
NAMI Miami-Dade’s Reel Minds Film Festival Returns October 10, World Mental Health Day, Using the Power of Film to Change the Conversation Around Mental Health
Eight short films will bring stories of resilience, recovery and lived experience to the screen MIAMI, FL – September 23, 2026 – In recognition of World Mental Health Day,the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade County will harness the power of film and storytelling to raise awareness and spark dialogue around mental health with […]
Musco expands testing capabilities with new Oskaloosa facility
Oskaloosa-based Musco Lighting has opened a new 30,000-square-foot product testing facility at 601 First Ave. W, expanding its ability to design, test and support lighting solutions. The facility brings testing and certification in-house, providing additional resources to evaluate and improve product performance as lighting and electronics become more complex. The opening coincides with Musco’s 50th…
Cowboys Aren't Interested In Buying Other Sports Teams, Jones Says
The Dallas Cowboys, the most valuation sports team in the world, are not interested in owning another sports franchise, bucking a recent trend.
Goleta Lemon Festival 2026: Live Music Lineup & Stage Schedule
The 2026 Goleta Lemon Festival announced its live entertainment lineup across the UCLA Health and Point Market stages for September 26 and 27.
NBAA Applauds Approval of Bills to Support Mental Health, Clarify Aerospace Medicine Guidelines and More
NBAA welcomed Senate passage of the Mental Health in Aviation Act and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, which will increase transparency around medication guidelines, expand access to mental health resources and reduce the stigma surrounding such needs, therefore safeguarding the careers of pilots, controllers and other aviation professionals.
Evaluating UW Offense, Matchups Against Minnesota
The UW offense found its stride last week against Eastern Washington. It had three explosive run plays, ten explosive passing plays, and over 500 yards of offense. The run game, and how the offensive line contributes to it, continues to be the weak point for this offense, however. Jedd Fisch’s group is averaging 129 rush …
‘Roseanne’ star Michael Fishman says onscreen mom lashing out at him shows ‘darker side of my childhood’
‘Roseanne’ actor Michael Fishman reacted to Roseanne Barr lashing out at him over the sitcom revival’s cancellation, says her actions exemplify ‘darker side of my childhood.’
This 1988 Popular Science article is the equivalent of an Apple event live blog from 40 years ago
Popular Science sent a writer the the announcement of the Apple NeXT Computer and his description of the scene gives us serious FOMO.
Rio Fest’s RioMarket, Kicking Off Oct. 1, to Feature TikTok Program and Online Business Meetings
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — RioMarket, the business section of the Rio International Film Festival, will be held over Oct. 1-11, featuring for the first time a partnership with TikTok and online one-on-o...
Paige Bueckers steps onto WNBA playoff stage as next step in growth
She's ready for her WNBA playoff debut Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries.
John Summit keeps Experts Only weekend going with back-to-back Pacha New York afterparties
Following two days of Experts Only Festival, Pacha New York served as the official afterparty destination for the weekend, hosting back-to-back nights on
Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth, Sombr, Raye and Katseye set for 2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour
iHeartRadio is loading its 2026 holiday tour with some starry acts, including Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth and the Jonas Brothers.
Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth, Sombr, Raye and Katseye set for 2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour
iHeartRadio is loading its 2026 holiday tour with some starry acts, including Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth and the Jonas Brothers | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth, Sombr, Raye and Katseye set for 2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour
iHeartRadio is loading its 2026 holiday tour with some starry acts, including Olivia Rodrigo, Charlie Puth and the Jonas Brothers | WBEN
Herd health playbook: Vaccines and VCPR
Texas A&M expert shares vaccination schedules, preventative care tips, and the value of veterinary partnerships for producers
Forsaken or forgiven? Slumping fantasy QBs entering Sunday Week 3
Several high-value fantasy quarterbacks have disappointed after two games. Was this a warning sign, or should managers confidently stick with them?
Removal of 760,000 people from ACA marketplace could undermine US health system
Trump administration move weakens federal insurance programs – and some poor people will likely forego healthcare
Notre Dame vs Purdue Game Predictions
The undefeated Fighting Irish seek their eleventh consecutive rivalry victory as an explosive offense prepares to dismantle a struggling Boilermaker defense in this high-stakes Big Ten showdown.
Pioneer of China NewCo model sued in US over trade secret misuse, double-dealing
A legal feud unfolding in New York is putting a spotlight on the work of a business development veteran who is credited for pioneering one of biopharma’s hottest dealmaking mechanism: the China “NewCo” model. In a lawsuit originally filed in New York state court and recently moved to federal court, China’s Lepu Medical Technology has alleged that biopharma business development consultant Su Zhang, who was hired to help shop its GLP-1 weight-loss candidates to Western partners, engaged in corporate double-dealing and trade secret leaks. According to the complaint, while acting as Lepu’s primary dealmaking liaison for a group of obesity and metabolic disease drug candidates, Zhang was secretly double-dipping as the acting chief business officer for a direct competitor, BrightGene Pharmaceutical. “She never adequately disclosed the role, never sought Lepu’s consent, and never proposed any safeguard,” Lepu alleged in its complaint, which was filed in July after Zhang’s consulting firm, CoDevCo, sought certain transaction-based success fees from its angry customer through an arbitration process in Singapore. Lepu, the parent company of Lepu Biopharma, has asked Zhang to pay back its $500,000 retainer and disgorge all benefits she received during the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, plus other damages and relief. The company has also requested the court grant injunctions to protect Lepu’s trade secrets. The ill-fated partnership officially kicked off in December 2024, when Lepu tapped CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism” to identify collaborators for the company’s drug candidates. According to Lepu’s complaint, Zhang personally negotiated and signed the agreement as managing director for CoDevCo, which used her home address. Before the Lepu deal, Zhang made a name following a short stint as the global head of business development for Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. It was during her tenure that Hengrui signed a landmark deal granting exclusive rights for a portfolio of GLP-1 assets to Hercules, which was at that time newly established by a group of private equity and venture capital firms. In addition to the regular upfront and milestone payments, Hengrui also gained an equity stake in Hercules, which later became Kailera Therapeutics. The Hengrui-Hercules deal opened a new paradigm, where a Chinese biopharma company spins off certain early-stage assets to investors for further development through the creation of a new company abroad. The “NewCo” model quickly came into vogue as it allows Western investors to access high-potential assets originating from China at an early stage while giving the Chinese licensors an opportunity to reap long-term benefits through equity stakes in the new firms. The NewCo model proved its value when Kailera staged a record-breaking $625 million IPO on Nasdaq this April, merely two years into the Hengrui deal. Related Kailera CEO 'knew we were in a good spot' before obesity biotech's record-breaking $625M IPO On her LinkedIn page, Zhang described her work at Hengrui as “[b]uilding team and capability from the ground up,” forming NewCo and major pharma partnerships worth billions of dollars. Lepu clearly wanted that kind of track record to help boost its own cardiometabolic portfolio, which includes a range of assets for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and muscle preservation during weight loss treatment. “Lepu’s pipeline is very valuable, but only if Lepu could secure the right international partner to expand into the overseas market during the available commercial window,” the company argued in its complaint. The Chinese biotech said it had little knowledge of U.S. laws, customs or business practices in the business development field, and therefore “needed to rely entirely” on the expertise of Zhang and her team as the firm’s first engagement of a U.S.-based BD consultant. “Zhang’s dominating influence on the business development strategy is further evidenced by the fact that she personally controlled the business-development communications on behalf of Lepu with potential partners,” Lepu said in its complaint. After entering the deal, Zhang introduced Lepu to her four associates. According to Lepu’s version of events, all of them were allegedly employed at different time points to perform similar jobs at other Chinese companies that Lepu described as its competitors, while having access to Lepu’s confidential information. As such, Lepu described Zhang’s team as “a roster of individuals whose primary professional loyalty, by virtue of their concurrent full-time employment, ran to Lepu’s competitors.” As well as the specific examples set out in the case, a look at Lepu’s deals over the period suggests Zhang may have been involved in at least one transaction. During their partnership, Lepu, through its subsidiary Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, also out-licensed its GLP-1/GIP/FGF21 agonist MWN105 to a NewCo called Sidera Bio in the fall of 2025. The deal included an upfront and near-term payment of $35 million, up to $1.01 billion in milestones, and a 9.99% stake in the Danish startup. It seems likely that Zhang facilitated the Minwei deal given that Lepu is on record as having used CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism.” The big shock for Lepu came in the form of a news article on June 25, 2025. The article, reporting on phase 2 data for BrightGene’s GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist BGM0504, identified Zhang as acting chief business officer of the Lepu rival. Blindsided by her association with BrightGene, Lepu confronted Zhang in July 2025. “Lepu was given assurances that there was nothing to be concerned about and told that Zhang would explain the matter to Lepu,” Lepu alleged in its complaint. “Zhang never did.” Lepu claimed that Zhang had the motive and opportunity to steer potential prospective partners toward BrightGene or other competitors. Later, in February 2026, one of Zhang’s associates joined BrightGene as the vice president for global business development, according to the complaint. Around the same time, Lepu sent written demand letters asking Zhang to account for her BrightGene role, identify what confidential data were shared with the rival firm, and provide any conflict-of-interest or firewall policies during the engagement. According to Lepu, neither CoDevCo nor Zhang answered the questions in their responses. Related Novo vs. KBP: How a $1.3B deal turned into a fraud accusation and an international legal fight In a motion to dismiss filed with the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York on Sept. 4, Zhang’s legal team argued that Lepu’s agreement was signed with CoDevCo, and that an employee of the contractor does not owe fiduciary duties to the client. In its complaint, Lepu said: “That CoDevCo was the contracting entity does not insulate Zhang from personal liability for duties she personally undertook and personally breached.” Taking the argument one step further, the defending party argued that the consulting agreement “does not create a fiduciary relationship even between CoDevCo and Lepu; instead, it identifies CoDevCo as an independent contractor retained to market Lepu’s business to potential western partners.” Although CoDevCo was Lepu’s exclusive business-development contractor, there were no terms stipulating that the consulting firm should serve only Lepu, Zhang’s lawyer noted. As to Lepu’s claims that Zhang misappropriated trade secrets, the defendant argued that Lepu authorized the use of the information so Zhang’s team could perform their service per the agreement. In a rebuttal filed on Sept. 11, Lepu’s lawyer set out why they believe the Chinese biotech satisfied New York law’s misappropriation definition by alleging that the defendant used a trade secret “in breach of a duty or through improper means.” As an alternative to dismissing the suit, the defendant suggested the action should be stayed pending outcomes from the arbitration of a separate case in Singapore. While NewCo pioneer Zhang is defending her business arrangements, momentum behind the NewCo trend has continued unabated into 2026. Through August, Chinese biotech assets have spurred 15 NewCo deals this year, according to local trade publication PharmaDJ.
Herd Health Playbook: Vaccines, Timing and the Value of a VCPR
A tailored vaccination schedule and an established relationship with a veterinarian help producers prevent outbreaks and handle emergencies before they start.
Find your way around Blink Cincinnati with these festival maps
Explore Blink Cincinnati with official festival maps showing art installations, projection sites, parking areas, shuttle routes and key events.
Three Roma players listed in Serie A’s Most Valuable XI
After the first five matchdays of the season, it’s time to take stock of players’ market values. Three Roma players feature in the top 11 in Serie A with the highest market value. These include go...
Ranieri: ‘Luckily’ young Italian footballers get playing outside Serie A
Italy technical director Claudio Ranieri is focused on developing young players, but insists youth coaches must be paid more and notes that, ‘luckily’, many youngsters are gaining valuable playing...
Bill to allow politicians to spend campaign cash on security spurs warnings of misuse
The Assembly gave overwhelming approval to a bill that would allow political candidates to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.
Continental offloads Australian tyre business to Chinese firm Tuhu
The deal is based on an enterprise value of A$403m and remains subject to regulatory approvals.
Indoor performances, outdoor festivals top metro area’s entertainment this weekend
It may be autumn now, but the metro area is still loaded with hot entertainment for the first full weekend of the cooler season.
Focus: Americans navigate 'wild West' of health insurance options after dropping Obamacare plans
When Stacy Cox, a self-employed photographer in Kanab, Utah, dropped her Obamacare health insurance plan this year, routine preventive care became a financial dilemma. Now she finds herself weighing $1,200 for a mammogram against survival of her business.
Gundlach Bundschu declares bankruptcy as the wine industry struggles
California's oldest family-run winery has filed for bankruptcy protection, another sign of the struggles in the wine industry.
Cleveland Cavaliers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
The Cleveland Cavaliers re-signed Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, while adding Peyton Watson. Is it enough to make them NBA title contenders?
'Soar' wars: Inside two AI startups' messy fight over a name
A founder known for viral antics sent a LinkedIn request to the CEO of Soar, a travel startup. Days later, he launched a rival — also called Soar.
City Hall should pay small business for losses due to Somewhere Fest
City-assisted street closure for Chase Koch’s mammoth music festival caused cancellation of wedding and party contracts for local venue.
KPMG is channelling Silicon Valley to help avoid Big Four bureaucracy
The Big Four firm wants to build a "Silicon Valley incubator within the walls of KPMG," Todd Lohr, its AI chief, said.
Tales Of Syria’s Disappeared; Lebanese Wartime Adoption & Palestinian Mental Health Set For Cinemed-Aflamuna Project Incubator
France’s Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival, also known as Cinemed, and Beirut-based Arab cinema platform Aflamuna have unveiled the selection for their fifth project incubator event, which will ...
DelVal's Food Science Program Offers Hands-On Path to an In-Demand Industry
DelVal’s Food Science and Technology Program combines biology, chemistry, and food while preparing students for careers in a growing ...
Kath Smith: Winning breeds winning
Leeds United Women will once again travel to Silsden AFC to face West Yorkshire rivals Bradford City Women, with the two sides meeting in the final Group T fixture of the FA WNL Cup.The Whites current...
Farm succession stories: You can go home to the farm
An Ord, Neb., native and UNL agribusiness major found an enterprise that adds value to the farming operation and allows him to return to the family farm.
Wellness kiosk in the Memorial Union makes it convenient for OSU community to buy basic healthcare products, STI tests and more
A new vending machine in the basement of the Memorial Union on Oregon State University’s Corvallis campus is now stocked with a variety of over-the-counter healthcare products, from cortisone to contraceptives to COVID tests.
Olympiacos Eyeing OFI Goalkeeper as Panathinaikos Complicates Move
Olympiacos face a strategic battle for OFI Crete's Nikolaos Christogeorgos, as a complex resale clause grants fierce rivals Panathinaikos the power to hijack the deal.
Can Genius Sports (GENI) Justify A Higher Valuation Following Prediction.com Launch?
Genius Sports (GENI) has moved further into the consumer arena with the launch of Prediction.com, a site that aggregates prediction markets and tracks how contract probabilities shift as events unfold. The launch of Prediction.com comes at a challenging time for Genius Sports’ shareholders, with the 30-day share price return down 27.04% and the year-to-date share price return down 46.20%, while the 1-year total shareholder return has declined 54.51%. However, the 3-year total shareholder...
Mutant Sperm Are Waging a Fierce Survival-of-the-Fittest Battle Inside Men's Testicles
Darwin would be so proud.
The PolaCon instant film conference comes to North Texas this weekend
PolaCon is the world's first three-day instant film convention that celebrates the medium of film photography. The festival kicks off Friday at the State Fair of Texas and runs through
SCIENCE-BATS/
An Indian flying fox or fruit bat flies over trees Feb. 2, 2022, at Kodiyathur village in Kozhikode district in the southern state of Kerala, India.
Hannah Einbinder, Susan Sarandon arrested in protest against Netanyahu
Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were arrested after protesting the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations in New York City. Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, Indya Moore, Mary Beth Barone, Caleb Hearon and Sarah Sherman were also at the demonstration.
BALLON D’OR REGRESSION | OPEN THREAD
Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho TALENT RECESSION INDICATOR A major talent recession indicator is when Ballon d’or nominees are practically begging and lobbying for the Ballon d’or in their public interviews. The interviews from Lamine and Mbappe are strategically released by the […]
Interested in purchasing a commercial space through the Business Community Ownership Fund?
Our Business Community Ownership Fund has two brand-new, cold-shell commercial spaces in Rainier Valley available to match with a business owner. If you’re interested in the spaces below, please visit our website for more details on eligibility and reach out to our program staff at OED_BCOF@seattle.gov. Available commercial spaces (9/24/26): Atrium Court, 7324 Martin Luther […]
Beef imports equal smart business
Banning imports would slash cattle values and trigger supply shocks across the sector.
Murphysboro BBQ festival brings teams from near and far
MURPHYSBORO — The 39th annual Praise the Lard Barbecue Cook-off is this weekend's hottest ticket, with participating teams planning months in advance for one of the national circuit's biggest contests.
Texas Border Business and Mega Doctor News Join AACT Now Voter Initiative
Texas Border Business and Mega Doctor News have joined AACT Now’s Rally the Vote initiative, using their digital platforms to encourage eligible Rio Grande Valley residents to register to vote and participate in the November 2026 election.
ARTSwork announces new Invitational Art Fair
ARTSwork, the sister organization of the Des Moines Arts Festival, will launch a new fall event, the Invitational Art Fair, Nov. 6-7 at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines. The two-day event will feature 50 professional Iowa visual artists showcasing and selling original works, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The…