SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " ally " 15,192 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Americans agree on health care costs. Why can't Congress act?
Opinion: Patients need health care relief they can actually feel.
NC state auditor steps into political spotlight with new election oversight
A state auditor is often seen as a behind-the-scenes role, but North Carolina state auditor Dave Boliek has bursted onto the political scene in the past year with newfound control over how elections are run in the state. Boliek, whose job usually oversees monitoring taxpayer dollars and the elimination of waste and fraud throughout the state, was granted the power to appoint members to the state board of elections and the county-level election board chairs.
Child-led citizen science helps Ecuadorian community tackle beach pollution and shape environmental decisions
Pollution from human-generated waste in marine ecosystems has reached critical levels, with cigarette butts (CBs) among the most persistent and harmful pollutants. Globally, an estimated 4.5 trillion ...
Who’s Calling the World Series on FOX? Meet the Announcers
The 2026 World Series is here! And it’s being broadcast on FOX, which is the national TV rights holder for the Fall Classic annually. In the Fall Classic this season, it’s a battle between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers. Whichever team claims victory in the seven-game series will become World Series Champions […] The post Who’s Calling the World Series on FOX? Meet the Announcers appeared first on HEAVY.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ preview drops during game 1 of MLB World Series
The ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ preview was revealed during the MLB World Series broadcast of game 1.
CVS is trying out pharmacists in chronic health management
Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips on Friday said healthcare affordability and access could potentially improve if pharmacists in its 9,000 retail stores play a bigger role in chronic disease management.
Rubio tells Cubans ‘now is the time’ to act to see political change
US secretary of state makes comments after Trump tells US rally warships could intervene on return from Iran
New Lisbon business offering pet food and supplies
LISBON—A new business promises to provide the community with the highest quality food and supplies for their pets. The newest member of Lisbon’s business community, Pet Folk has officially opened their doors, celebrating its soft opening with a ribbon cutting and champagne Thursday. Located at 7556 state Route 45, Unit A, Pet Folk is entirely […]
Open Thread World Series Game One
We get game one of the World Series tonight. I guess I’m sort of cheering for the Brewers but really it doesn’t matter. But in games three and four, Ernie Clement will be ‘providing player-first coverage’, which should be fun. Lineups: Today’s Lineups RAYS BREWERS Yandy Diaz – DH Jackson Chourio – LF Jonathan Aranda […]
Vanessa Trump 'finally cancer-free' after health battle in emotional video with daughter Kai
Vanessa Trump announces she is cancer-free in an emotional video with daughter Kai Trump, months after revealing her breast cancer diagnosis in April.
Political science professor speaks on impact of Harris-Colom rally
A professor said high-profile supporters may motivate voters ahead of midterms.
Cambridge Sees Historically High Science and Math MCAS Scores, But Racial and Socioeconomic Gaps Remain
Cambridge Sees Historically High Science and Math MCAS Scores, But Racial and Socioeconomic Gaps Remain
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon is optimistic about AI. Most of America disagrees.
“We’ll look back, 20 to 25 years from now, and the benefits will be really positive for our society,” the Wall Street leader said.
Empire Towers perimeter lift brings relief to nearby Glen Burnie businesses
After three months of road closures and disruptions, the safety perimeter surrounding Empire Towers in Glen Burnie has officially been lifted, bringing relief to nearby businesses that have struggled to stay afloat.
Does Proposal 2 really get money out of politics? One researcher says ‘not really’
Mid-Michigan's source for breaking news, weather and sports
ACLU of Indiana pauses new director’s start date, launches external review
After expressing his worry that incoming Executive Director Nikkita Oliver would fundamentally change how the ACLU of Indiana chooses cases, the organization's former director of philanthropy says he was fired
Are political polls accurate? Tips to better understand polling ahead of Election Day
The key to understanding polls is knowing who financed them, and looking at them holistically, rather than one at a time.
WATCH: Trump at GOP rally in Florida revives idea of military intervention in Cuba after Iran
Entergy celebrates Nuclear Science Week 2026
Nuclear Science Week is an internationally recognized annual celebration held during the third week of October, dedicated to advancing awareness of nuclear science across local, regional and global communities.
Is <i>Klara And The Sun</i> Worth Watching? Our Honest Review Of The Critically Panned Film
Does Rosemary Oil Really Help Hair Grow? Here’s What the Science Says
TikTok swears by it for thicker, fuller hair. But can this viral beauty hack actually deliver results?
Opinion: When It Comes to Mental Health, 'Awareness' Alone Isn't Enough
"What happens when someone finally listens to the message, asks for help, and the care they need isn’t there? The numbers show just how wide that gap is."
Florida members pressure healthcare employer to return to the bargaining table
AFSCME Florida healthcare workers held a rally this month to demand their employer, UF Health Jacksonville, come back to the bargaining table.
Giants Draft Pick Makes Immediate Impact in Pro Debut
San Francisco Giants 17th-round pick Tanner Mally carried his elite college hitting into professional baseball.
Syracuse Finally Announces Starting QB vs. UNC
Steve Angeli returns to the lineup as Syracuse prepares for a sold-out clash in Chapel Hill.
Why are tech entrepreneurs leaving California for Las Vegas?
Historically, about a third of people moving to Nevada from other states have come from California, primarily Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose.
Modern Science: An Ohio University professors is helping tackle a culvert issue that can make flooding worse in southeast Ohio
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Culverts are something we don't normally think about until disaster strikes. That's exactly what happened for many after recent severe flooding in southeast Ohio left culverts
Case that ‘fundamentally transforms’ business suits hits top NC court
The North Carolina Supreme Court will take a case stemming from a 2024 aircraft accident in Arkansas. Critics argued that a lower court’s decision “fundamentally transforms” rules about which businesses can be sued in this state.
Lively music on the way locally
As October fades into November, there are several appealing events coming up at the Mondavi Center, plus concerts sponsored by the UC Davis Music Department at the Pitzer Center.
Raskin named Goizueta Foundation Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Lutgarde Raskin, a scientist who is globally recognized for introducing tools of molecular biology to the field of environmental engineering, joined the Yale faculty in 2026.
Johnson formally files for re-election, downplays loss of union support
Johnson downplayed the recent loss of union support for his campaign, calling himself “the most pro-worker mayor that this city has had.”
Rick Jackson will join Trump at Georgia rally amid slumping GOP turnout
The Republican nominee for governor had initially said he would skip the president's visit to Perry on Saturday, opting to campaign with Gov. Brian Kemp instead.
Selma Blair’s former “DWTS” partner Sasha Farber says she’s ‘doing great’ after arrest
“We are family. She is literally my family,” he said.
Constance Wu shares new details on “Crazy Rich Asians ”show, confirms she’s read script: ‘It’s really funny’
It’s finally happening!
Constance Wu shares new details on ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ TV show
Constance Wu is sharing new details on the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ television show, confirming that she’s read a script for it already and ‘it’s really funny.’
Scientists find key to predicting some El Niño events 12 months ahead
Scientists have identified the conditions that make it possible to predict some El Niño and La Niña events up to a year in advance, potentially giving communities and decision-makers significantly more ...
Scientists Just Found a Way to Destroy Over 90% of “Forever Chemicals” in Water
PFAS-destroying membrane from ASU uses palladium to chemically break down contaminants, not just filter them, achieving over 90% removal in 58-day tests.
'Wildwood' review: Laika's stop-motion animation impresses
Two intrepid teens head into the unknown on an absorbing, densely detailed rescue mission — not for the especially young — that stuns at every turn.
Could Yuki Matsui Leave Padres in Free Agency?
After signing a five-year, $28 million deal with the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2024 season, Yuki Matsui has finally matured into the elite left-handed reliever that the Friars envisioned he'd be. Matsui was incredible for San Diego out of the bullpen, leading to questions surrounding his free agency status for the offseason. The …
Alaska Native Communities Get $375K for Health and Wellness
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is investing $375,000 in funding to each of its 15 tribal partners to support public health in their respective communities. The funding will be distributed through SEARHC’s Healthy is Here program. Launched in 2017, the program has dedicated more than $3 million to locally driven wellness initiatives, including […]
Titans Becoming Open to Alontae Taylor Playing Multiple Positions
After a surprise benching, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is reconsidering how to deploy Alontae Taylor, potentially returning the former Saint to his dominant role in the slot.
'There Will Always Be a Role Left for Us to Play' - In an AI-Filled World, Miyamoto Thinks the Human Touch Will Always Be Vital
"It provides an opportunity to reflect on what’s really important"
Politics Friday: Will the election loosen a historically knotted Minnesota Legislature?
Friday at noon, four Minnesota legislative leaders discuss the 2026 playing field and the issues they say are motivating voters with all 201 seats on the ballot.
Creative Assembly Finally Addresses The Shogun 2 Remaster Disaster By Pointing Fingers
While claiming the buck stops with CA, VP Roger Collum repeatedly levels the blame elsewhere
Drake University expands full-tuition Bulldog Promise program to transfer students
Drake University will provide full-tuition coverage for qualifying Iowa transfer students through its Bulldog Promise program beginning in fall 2027. To qualify, transfer students must be Iowa residents, have a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0, be eligible for the maximum federal Pell Grant and be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Originally launched in…
Buy your health insurance through the Mass. Connector? Open enrollment starts Friday
The Massachusetts Health Connector has begun its open enrollment period Friday and will run through Jan. 23, 2027. State and Boston officials are urging residents to take advantage of the Connector's assistance program — especially after recent federal changes to healthcare spending.
Connor Hellebuyck trade saga finally ends as Jets ship goaltender to Devils
Hellebuyck and the Devils will face the Jets in Winnipeg on Nov. 10.
‘The View’ cancels fan-favorite cohost Halloween costumes for 3rd consecutive year
‘The View’ cohosts will not dress up in Halloween costumes once again in 2026, marking yet another year the panelists won’t participate in the historically fan-favorite episode.
David Micklos receives 2026 Genetics Education Award
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center (DNALC) Executive Director David Micklos has received the National Association of Biology Teachers’ 2026 Genetics Education Award. For Micklos, a lifelong science teacher and driving force behind the DNALC’s innovative, hands-on science education programs, the award is especially significant. “I thank the NABT for recognizing our accomplishments at...
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
End Citizens United has endorsed Democratic challenger Callie Barr for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. William Lawrence, Democratic nominee for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, has been endorsed by the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union and the Black Economic Alliance. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has formally endorsed state Senator Chedrick Greene (D-Saginaw) in the […]
Ken and Angela Paxton invested $600,000 in a convicted fraudster’s business
The blind trust’s investment in Wildcatter offers a new, unreported look at the attorney general’s financial ties with the very type of business executives whose prosecutions he typically celebrates.
NH News Recap: Health insurance changes and a new season of Bear Brook
Looming changes to Medicaid and Medicare in New Hampshire are leaving recipients with questions, and the first episodes of the latest season of NHPR podcast "Bear Brook" are now available.
Pasadena Apple Store draws crowds as iPhone Duo launches worldwide
Apple fans lined up around the block at the Pasadena Apple Store on Friday as Apple officially launched the new iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable smartphone.
University of Dubuque announces Plaster School of Business
The University of Dubuque announced that its School of Business program will be officially renamed to the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, honoring a seven-figure donation from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation. In addition to this change, the school will also be more centrally located on campus in the Chlapaty Center for Innovation when […]
'This has no place for partisan politics' say Camp Lejeune contamination victim advocates
At a Greenville rally this week, President Donald Trump said he will order swift settlement of remaining claims only if Republicans hold Congress.
Disaster recovery efforts temporarily boosted health for some men, Northwestern study finds
New Northwestern University research aims to shed light on what drives inequalities among men in the aftermath of mega disasters. In such situations, men are often depicted as heroic leaders, and this study finds that many of them experience improved mental and physical health while assisting with recovery efforts. However, for some men, the boost is short lived once recovery activities are completed, leading to emotional lows and potentially increasing the risk of suicide.
iOS 27.1 is exclusive to iPhone Duo, here’s why
iOS 27.1 has officially launched, but you wouldn’t know it by checking your iPhone’s Settings app because it’s iPhone Duo-exclusive.
Raskin happy at Rangers but unsure about January
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin is "really happy" at Rangers but is unsure what might happen in January.
Analysis-Trump's diesel price relief efforts grow costlier as election nears
By Jarrett Renshaw and Leah Douglas Oct 23 (Reuters) - With the November midterm elections fast approaching, President Donald Trump is throwing an array of costly and politically fraught solutions
Mass Effect Spiritual Successor Officially Reveals Redesigned Protagonist
Exodus reintroduces Jun following fan feedback
iPhone Duo Says 'Hello' to You Personally
As expected, the iPhone Duo greets you personally if you purchase it from an Apple Store in the United States. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris had an in-store pickup reservation for an iPhone Duo at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York today, and the device showed "Hello Aaron" when he turned it on.
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.
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?
Sigma fp2 Announced: The World’s Smallest Full-Frame Camera Gets a Ground-Up Redesign
Sigma reveals the fp2, featuring a 24.5MP partially stacked sensor, 6K open gate raw video, tilting screen, and 70GB internal storage in an ultra-compact full-frame body.
There’s a Reason That Netflix’s Ad Business Has Underwhelmed
Somewhat lost in the company’s slew of firings and engagement warnings over the past few weeks was the fact that Netflix is scaling back its ad forecast for 2026 from $3 billion to $2.7 billion. That’s despite the fact that: CTV is growing by 14-15% this year This year saw a monster upfront Netflix is the biggest streamer out there this side of YouTube, and was the platform that for years brands were supposedly dying to be a part of In other words, that’s an alarming pull-back from Netflix. A Wall Street analyst I spoke with last week was blunt, calling Netflix’s ad business “disappointing.” To me, a red flag on the ad front is that Netflix has never revealed how many ad-supported subscribers it has. Because if I know anything about how big companies work, if they have a positive number that makes them look really good - they tend to share it. (How many subs does go90 have right now? We’re not saying just yet. How are ads going on ChatGPT? Oh, a billion run rate - I see). Yes, to date Netflix has shared some fuzzy ad numbers, such as the idea that the company’s ad tier ‘reaches’ 250 million users globally.’ Here’s why that figure gives me pause: a)they lead with global, and b) they don’t explain how they are calculated. (Are they based on average people in each room? Surveys of some kind?). Regardless, some insiders say that Netflix’s ad tier is scaling nicely - others not so much. Either way, one of Netflix’s biggest challenge on the ad front appears to have been its starting point. Remember, when Netflix launched ads in 2022, it had 73 million subs in the US and Canada. That’s 73 million people who were used to Netflix with zero ads. And when the ad product rolled out, the company clearly was going after new users - a limited pool of potential subscribers by default. That focus seems to have changed over time, as Netflix has tried to convert longtime subscribers to the ad tier. Historically Netflix subscribers are very sticky. But is the company’s low churn a problem? Not necessarily, according to Antenna data. Rather, Netflix’s consumer loyalty is a bit of a double-edged sword. “Netflix is the one streamer which actually has seen substantial “trade downs” but has much lower ‘win backs,’ said Antenna founder Jonathan Carson (win-backs being people who were on the ad-free plan, cancelled, then rejoined on the ad plan). “Netflix has lower churn and so has less opportunity to win back old subs with a lower cost plan option.” This all might explain why Netflix has been so slow to roll out all of these table stakes targeting options until just this week. It likely didn’t have enough users to carve up into various targets. etc. However, what really hit Netflix’s ad business was Amazon’s move a few years ago to turn on advertising for Prime Video by default. Suddenly the market was awash in premium inventory, and Netflix was playing catch-up on multiple fronts. Thus, the streaming giant appears to still be figuring out if if wants lead in ‘programmatic TV,’ or premium ‘upfront’ TV sales. “The CTV market now sorts into three businesses, and Netflix is not the leader of any of them,” wrote analyst Jack Myers. Ouch. So how does Netflix ratchet up its ads business? Get the next NFL package You’re gonna have to wait until 2030 unless one of the bigger media companies like Skydance opts out, but the easiest (not cheapest) way for Netflix to become a huge TV ads contender is to get one of the regular NFL packages, ideally Sunday afternoons. That way it can sell ads to its whole U.S. subs base overnight. Go FAST This one is risky, because to program a compelling FAST channel, you’d likely have to take some older Netflix exclusive shows and make them available for free to non-subscribers. But FASTs, for better or worse, are ad-inventory machines. Go full UGC I’m not sure I see this happening. There is something already off about Netflix carrying podcasts and shows for creators. The experience sticks out in what is such a produced, and generally non-communal environment. But Netflix could open up its platform by allowing creators to upload videos without having to be approved by the service. But that opens a whole other can of worms (policing brand safety, copyright infringement, overall quality). Make a huge RMN Deal I was going to suggest something crazy, such as ‘instead of buying Warner Brothers, Netflix should buy Target. But the company doesn’t want to be in the brick and mortar business. Yet for Netflix’s ad business to compete in an Amazon world, it needs to be able to connect ad exposures to shopping. What if, instead of letting Amazon target Netflix viewers with its DSP, Netflix inked a deal with Target, or even took control of Roundel, and created its version of the Amazon full-funnel for brands? Price us out. I hope they don’t do this, but Netflix’s price increases - while significant - haven’t been enough to push long-term customers out of the ad-free tier. But if they made those prices so prohibitive, it could push large swaths of consumers to trade down. Then again, that could also dent engagement - as binging becomes much less appealing once you bring ads into the equation. Or, they could just launch a bunch of hit shows and maybe everyone will quickly forget all this angst. More from Amazon unBoxed A few weeks ago, I recorded two podcasts live at Amazon’s unBoxed event in San Francisco. I was able to go really deep with several brand partners about how Amazon’s various data and ad products work - particularly the under appreciated Amazon Marketing Cloud. First, I talked with Laura Abadias Velilla, of the Amazon specialty agency Amerge, along with Amazon’s own Charlotte Maines, Vice President, Devices Content & Advertising, about how the two partners helped a very specific printer company Epson launch into a brand new category - high end projectors. It’s a great example of how brands connect audience data across platforms to make budget deployment decisions. Next, I chatted with Monks VP Head of Digital Investment for North America Tom Burchill about how the agency actually brought in data from Linkedin to help target B2B customers across various Amazon properties for the brand Quicken. Check it out: Check these out, or just listen:
Half-Life 3 is back in the news again as Valve developer accidentally sort-of references it in public, reigniting hope once more
After a flurry of Half-Life 3 rumours last year, the codename HLX has resurfaced once more; this time straight from the mouth of a Valve developer.
With Climate-Resilient Crops in Mind, Scientists Tackle a Flaw in Photosynthesis
Rising temperatures and increasing drought are shortening crop growing seasons in many parts of the world. Now scientists in Sweden report new advances toward engineering more efficient photosynthesis, work that could eventually contribute to efforts to adapt crops for climate change
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
The 'real' Spider-Man: Why Hollywood should look to the jumping spider
Imagine a new Spider-Man movie opening not with a laboratory accident involving a black widow, but with a tiny, fuzzy spider sitting quietly beneath a leaf. It has enormous eyes, extraordinary jumping ability, and a silk-producing system so sophisticated that scientists are only beginning to understand it.Meet the regal jumping spider, Phidippus regius — perhaps the most biologically convincing inspiration for Spider-Man that Hollywood has overlooked.
ASUS ProArt P16 review: A sleek showcase for NVIDIA's RTX Spark
NVIDIA's RTX Spark platform is off to a good start, but the ProArt P16 is really only meant for AI fanatics.
9 former celebrity couples who say divorce actually brought them closer
Who says divorce can’t have a happy ending? From Gwyneth Paltrow to Courteney Cox, these stars say splitting up actually brought them closer to their exes.
Trump to rally in Florida after stoking Ramaswamy ad furor
Trump to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, who has distanced himself from president; Trump doubled down on support for Ramaswamy
Live updates: Trump to rally for Byron Donalds in Florida
Annie Andrews, South Carolina’s Democratic Senate nominee, will hold a town hall this afternoon as she attempts to defeat Republican Sen. Darline Graham.
Where to Buy iPhone Duo Today: Stores, Pickup, and Wait Times
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, officially launched today, Friday October 23. Pre-order deliveries are arriving to customers, but supply is extremely tight, although anyone who didn't order in advance may still be able to buy one in person, depending on local availability. That said, Apple has said it expects supply to sell out quickly.
Good to see you after all this time. Scientists finally put a face to Denisovans
Scientists use fossil fragments found in northern China to reconstruct the features of the ancient hominids.
Community college program looks to next generation of police supervisors
Driven by a need for specially educated supervisors at police departments, Great Bay Community College has introduced a certificate program to help create the next generation of law enforcement supervisors
New Science Building Makes Big Progress
On January 13, 2025, a new science building was announced to be built next to Frich and Watkins Halls on the PennWest California campus, on the Monongahela river side. The construction is set to finish in the Spring 2027 semester. Executive Director of Planning and Construction, Eric Rosie, said it will likely be officially finished...
Can Netanyahu win again? The secret to his political survival – and why it may finally fail him
Despite Oct. 7 and years of political turmoil, Benjamin Netanyahu remains competitive in the Israeli election
The last Democratic legislator in Rutland County is leaving office. What could that mean for the county’s political future?
Historically a Republican stronghold, Rutland County sent Republicans to fill a large majority of its seats in the Legislature last session. This election cycle, the Democratic Party couldn't find anyone to run for Senate and several House seats in Rutland.
Many Latinos are over Trump. The shift is especially striking in Texas
Latino voters are souring on the GOP, fueled by frustration over rising costs and the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.
How to ban gerrymandering when the Supreme Court is stacked against you
What kind of redistricting reforms could actually survive contact with the Roberts Court?
Scientists can now 'watermark' AI-generated proteins to deter bioweapon creation. But will it really work?
A new technology encodes an invisible mark into the structure of AI-generated proteins, but experts said the system's guardrails can still be bypassed.
Hoffenheim coach says that UEFA fixtures list is 'madness'
Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer has hit out at European governing body UEFA over player workload, especially in connection with national team duties. "The UEFA fixtures list is madness," Ilzer said after his team's 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyon on Thursday in the Europa League.
Cloudflare, Vercel leaders caution against AI cyber panic
AI is exposing security holes across the web. Cloudflare and Vercel executives explain the risks and why the internet could actually become safer.
A political forum was going normally. Then police were called
A New York political candidate was detained and released without charges after a confrontation at a forum involving her opponent’s mother.
'Avatar: Seven Havens' finally shows us how Korra broke the world
But are we really getting the whole story about Korra and the Cataclysm?
Political, union groups endorse Minnesota school board candidates
A handful of political groups and unions are endorsing Minnesota school board candidates in what have traditionally been nonpartisan races.
Sigma FP2 Announced – 6K Open Gate, ProRes RAW, 24.5MP Partially Stacked Sensor
Sigma FP2 announced: 24.5MP partially stacked sensor, 6K open gate, ProRes RAW, 32-bit float audio and a tilting screen for $2,199.
Nurses at four Endeavor Health hospitals seek to join Teamsters
Nurses at Evanston Hospital and three other Endeavor Health facilities across the North Shore are officially seeking to unionize. Teamsters Local 734 filed a petition — covering more than 2,000 nurses at the Evanston, Skokie, Glenbrook and Highland Park hospitals — with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday asking for a union election. Nurses...
Smart people react to a growing wave of threats to the internet
Execs and analysts are warning that major cybersecurity threats could leave critical systems — from energy and water to healthcare — especially exposed.
The world’s smallest full-frame mirrorless camera is back – and slimmer than ever. Sigma’s new minimalist FP2 packs 6K open gate, faster performance, and a tilt screen
The Sigma FP2 is an ultra-compact full-frame mirrorless body with a new partially stacked sensor and updated autofocus
School board candidates support more mental health care, differ on approach
Candidates for school boards around the state generally agreed with a new law that will require the hiring of more mental health counselors, but those responding to a survey said more resources will be needed, while some called for more parental involvement.
The Tricky Convergence of Democratic Socialism and Civil Rights
Some worry that a new generation of progressives threatens the coalitions that opened government to historically excluded communities. But there’s plenty for them to learn from each other.
Forgotten record review: Painless jazz
Jazz is a niche market, and the folks who love jazz really love jazz. Their passion, and the cult-like nature of jazz, has given rise to a certain snobbery regarding jazz music. That snobbery is limited almost exclusively to the years 1947-1967.
Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s great political survivor. Could one man be about to bring her down?
With elections looming in 2027, Roberto Vannacci’s new far-right movement could fatally outflank the prime minister, says Riccardo Alcaro, head of research at Istituto Affari Internazionali
Flu cases rise early in El Paso County as public health officials monitor respiratory illnesses
Increases in flu typically begin around Thanksgiving.