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Kyiv Science Academy hit, 10 dead as Russian jet-drones strike across Ukraine
Kyiv Science Academy hit, 10 dead as Russian jet-drones strike across Ukraine
Kyiv Science Academy hit, 10 dead as Russian jet-drones strike across Ukraine
In recent weeks, Russia has begun hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with faster, high-flying jet drones.
ANV acquires Car Care Plan from AmTrust
The deal brings ANV into vehicle warranty across the US, Europe, Turkey and China
Canadian Law Firms Anticipate More European Business as Ottawa, Brussels Explore EU 'Associate Membership'
Beneficiaries could include Stikeman Elliott, Osler, Fasken, McCarthy Tétrault, Blakes, Davies and Torys, along with global firms.
Tom Cruise, Alejandro G. Iñárritu unveil new Ed Ruscha 'Digger' poster
Tom Cruise, Jesse Plemons and John Goodman — stars of Alejandro González Iñárritu's 'Digger' — attended the LACMA unveiling of a new film poster by Ed Ruscha.
Highmark Foundation and Buffalo Bills Foundation Unveil “Victory Table” to Expand Access to Healthy Food and Wellness Resources Across Western New York
New mobile initiative will bring free healthy meals, nutrition education and community health support directly to neighborhoods in nee
Russian strikes hit science academy and medical facility in Kyiv
Russian strikes struck a science academy building and a medical facility in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring six others, including three children, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said on Monday that the casualties were reported at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine building, which sustained a direct hit. […]
Bobby Kotick’s lawyers sent me a bad email (and later apologized)
The message I had received was unsettling—for a moment. Then it was just really confusing. Back on January 20 of this year, at 5:15pm ET, I received an email with the subject line “Legal Correspondence re Bobby Kotick.” It was from the law firm Clare Locke, a firm I’d heard had been emailing reporters in recent years about their coverage of Kotick, the former, longtime CEO of Activision Blizzard. The letter was threatening. A lawyer from the firm introduced themselves as “defamation counsel to Bobby Kotick.” They issued a “demand” that I “correct” a Game File article I’d published a week prior. The article that had irked them had been a scoop of sorts. I’d written about a a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Swedish pension fund, AP7, over Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The suit wasn’t news, but I was first to review and report about Kotick’s extensive pushback to the fund’s claims. The pension fund’s core contention was that the sale had been rushed by Kotick to avoid the consequences of sexual misconduct scandals swirling around the company in 2021. (He’d not been accused of misconduct himself in those suits, to be clear.) As I wrote at the time, Kotick had denied the allegations of the rushed sale. Beyond that, Kotick used a December 2025 reply to the Swedish fund’s lawsuit to assign blame for those workplace scandals, the bad press and even for the AP7 lawsuit. I’d found Kotick’s arguments novel and newsworthy. Across nearly 3,000 words, I explained Kotick’s take: that a Swedish gaming company was behind the Swedish fund’s lawsuit (the Embracer group; they denied it); that the Microsoft-Activision deal was not rushed and was secured at what Kotick felt history had proven to be an optimal price for shareholders; that he believed a conspiracy of people at unions government agencies, PR firms and the media had spun up claims of widespread workplace misconduct at Activision Blizzard in 2021. The article gave context for all of this, letting readers assess the claims and weigh their credibility. As I’d later write to Kotick’s lawyers: I would be surprised if you could point to any news article about Bobby Kotick in the last five years that has spent more of its wordcount articulating his point of view. He is welcome to do an interview with Game File any time. Nonetheless, there they were in my inbox that Tuesday evening: Clare Locke, the law firm that secured a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News over false statements about voting machines. They were emailing me, threatening that failure to comply with their demand could support a claim of “actual malice,” a legal standard for libel. Unless… Unless, they said, I added a key paragraph to my article. This was a paragraph that I already knew Kotick’s lawyers had been emailing reporters about for at least a year, and it was a paragraph that was already in my article. The paragraph they wanted is from a 2023 settlement that California’s Civil Rights Department struck with Activision Blizzard. The settlement had closed a two-year-old lawsuit over alleged sexual discrimination at the game maker. The paragraph basically said that claims of systemic or widespread sexual harassment—or of execs like Kotick tolerating such behavior—had never been proven. I’d already seen proof that Kotick’s lawyers had pushed for the settlement’s language to be added to reports about 2021 sexual discrimination and misconduct lawsuits brought against Activision Blizzard by California and, separately, by the U.S. federal government (both suits were since settled). I knew that Kotick and his lawyers felt that the California settlement language should be mentioned in the same breath as references to an article he hated and denied, a November 2021 Wall Street Journal article claiming Kotick knew “for years” of sexual misconduct at Activision Blizzard. So, in the Game File article that Clare Locke emailed me about, in the interest of ensuring I was being fair and balanced regarding the person I was covering, I had already included the following excerpt from the California settlement [emphasis added in bold]: (Kotick has repeatedly pushed back against that November article in the Wall Street Journal, citing among other things, language from a court-approved consent decree as part of Activision’s 2023 $54 million settlement over the California suit. It states: “no court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations that: there has been systemic or widespread sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard [or] that Activision Blizzard senior executives ignored, condoned, or tolerated a culture of systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination.”) On the evening of January 20, I was incredulous. How do you write a four page legal threat about a week-old article and miss this? While scrambling to also make my kids dinner, I wrote a lengthy reply to Clare Locke’s lawyers, basically asking them to cool it with the threats and to start making sense. In part, I wrote: I hope you can understand why I am having trouble understanding what you’re asking for, when the statement you’re demanding to see in Game File’s article already appears in Game File’s article. Actual malice, as you know, refers to a reckless disregard for the truth. I’m not sure what your argument is when my article already states your client’s position. Here is where I should remind you, the reader, that I am an independent journalist. I publish on Substack, and have availed myself of the Substack Defender program that provides writers on the platform with legal support. But I’m no Wall Street Journal or New York Times, nor even IGN or GameSpot when it comes to such things as, well, having a legal department. There are more fun things for me to do as an independent journalist than writing back to a powerful law firm representing a very rich person. On the evening of January 20th, I was just trying to cook some pasta, broccoli and chicken nuggets for hungry twins. Nevertheless, I wrote back to them. Two hours later, I got a reply. Summarizing: A lawyer for Clare Locke said they’d “reviewed an incomplete version” of my article and they “apologize for the confusion.” (My guess: Someone didn’t read past the piece’s paywall, even though they’d had a full week to scrounge up the funds to do so. What I’d published above the paywall was balanced, as was what came after.)1 That was almost that, but something about the situation bothered me. The letter had been marked “confidential.” I hadn’t agreed to that, and I disliked the idea that powerful people on the beat that I cover would act like they could unilaterally control what I might tell my readers about. On the morning of the 21st, having already gotten the powerful law firm to back off, I oh-so-wisely re-approached them with just one more thing. I thanked them for clearing things up the night before but noted that I’d never agreed to keep their letter confidential. I’m all for agreeing with a source to keep things off the record, but that’s the thing. We have to agree. You can’t just declare it. I’m not bound by that. I wrote to Clare Locke’s lawyer and said, in part: I trust the matter is resolved. It was disappointing to have to spend less time with my kids last night in order to address your legal letter. Family time’s precious. I will add, for clarity’s sake, that, while your letter stipulated that it was confidential, I did not agree to those terms. In the future, should you wish to communicate with me confidentially, I am happy to agree to classifying our communication as “off the record” prior to the actual communication—as is standard with any professional journalist. The firm’s lawyer replied, not directly addressing the confidentiality issue but asserting that the matter was resolved. Why I didn’t write about this until now In May, I told this story on an episode of Simon Parkin’s podcast My Perfect Console, but I held off on sharing it directly with Game File readers. I held off to avoid stepping on the toes of another reporter, the journalist Mikhail Klimentov. He’d interviewed me in the spring of 2025 about an investigation he was working on regarding Bobby Kotick lawyers pressing the media to add the California settlement language to stories referencing the 2021 lawsuits. And about how some outlets had changed their stories and how some simply deleted them. Initially, I was a third-party source for Klimentov’s reporting, providing on-the-record context about the state of the games media. I’d heard about the letters but hadn’t put the time into pursuing the story. I thought it was interesting, and I was glad he was covering it. When the outlet that Klimentov was going to run his reporting in dropped the story, I began talking to him about potentially publishing his reporting on Game File. This was tentative. Then, in January, when I got my own Clare Locke letter, I told Klimentov that I didn’t think it would make sense for me to publish him, not with me now being part of the story. I had my own version of this situation to tell. But I wished him well and said I’d refrain from telling my tale until he could get his reporting out there. Last Friday, Klimentov finally ran his investigation, in a nearly 48-minute video report for People Make Games. It covers various Clare Locke letters, how media outlets reacted to them and what to make of all this. His video weighs the merits of Kotick’s request and looks at some of the articles that were changed (one of which had a glaring error). I highly recommend watching it: (Note, I did some editorial consulting for a People Make Games video last year but nothing to do with this report.) While many outlets haven’t left any public evidence that they updated their Kotick coverage at Kotick’s counsel’s request, at least one has. Back in October 2025, the mainstream outlet Reuters applied the most transparent article update I’ve seen. On the 3rd of the month, they published an article about the state of the Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit. Days later, they added this: In an October 7 letter sent after publication of this article, Kotick’s defamation counsel disputed claims of widespread harassment at Activision. “Not a single investigation, court finding, verdict, or ruling ever concluded that there was any merit” to the allegations of widespread harassment at Activision, Tom Clare and Nick Brechbill of Clare Locke wrote. I’ve never added a statement to my article on Game File, because none was needed. Not for fairness’ sake, nor to meet any demands of Kotick’s lawyers. I’ve nevertheless wanted to be transparent with Game File readers. If someone powerful is questioning my reporting, is threatening a lawsuit over it… if that threat is part of a pattern involving other games media outlets and if, in my case, the whole thing ran into a ridiculous ditch, I want you to know about it. I also share this as a real example of how I handle threats to Game File. I stand up for my own reporting, even when it’s not comfortable to do so. (In that same category of standing up for the work I do, I’ll point to an incident in late August. Asocial media post I published to X/Twitter regarding reporting I did about Take Two and GTA VI was hit by bogus copyright claim by a firm working for the publisher. I pushed back and got it reversed; even while a bigger games media outlet let themselves be censored. This is the other reason I’m sharing this story: To emphasize that dealing with threats from powerful people is one of the costs of covering the video game industry independently and as fearlessly as possible. This is where you come in. Your support, through free and paid subscriptions (sign up here!), can help me keep doing that. It can ensure that I’ve got the back-up I need. And it can help make fiascoes like this even less of a worry, so I can spend my evenings dealing with more important things, such as making sure I steam the kids’ broccoli just right. 1 That pension fund lawsuit I wrote about in January has all but gone away. In May, the fund and Activision Blizzard owner Microsoft agreed to settle. Lawyers for the fund brokered a $250 million settlement for former Activision Blizzard shareholders. In the settlement, the fund’s lawyers changed their rhetoric. Where once they’d questioned the meaning of the California settlement language, they adopted a version of it for themselves. Several weeks ago, while seeking to get a court to sign off on the terms of the settlement, they proposed their fee for their work in the case: $60 million.
Women’s Health Innovation Summit
Learn more about the latest updates in legal, with expert commentary and insights from trusted attorneys from Foley Hoag LLP. Foley Hoag is a professional community of highly qualified attorneys from all over the US.
SCOTUS rules in Trump's favor, allowing an expanded online screening tool to purge some voters
What does this ruling mean for voters in Illinois ahead of the midterms? What does this mean for voting in the future?
David Jolly is being outraised 8-to-1. He says voter frustration is the real currency in the Governor's race
'This is a change-election cycle.'
Naughty Dog Officially Celebrates Last of Us Day with DLC
Still no word about a potential Part 3
Panthers Pass Rusher Believes Deshaun Watson Sold Penalty
Carolina Panthers pass rusher Jaelan Phillips believes Deshaun Watson sold that roughing the passer penalty at the end of the game.
FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey resigns after year in role
Andrew Bailey cited family reasons for his FBI resignation, expressing confidence that Kash Patel will continue reform efforts and restore public trust.
🚨Confirmed line-ups: France visit Brussels without Mbappé
Brussels' King Baudouin Stadium hosts the second matchday of UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 this Monday, September 28. France comes in on the back of a 1-0 win over Turkey in the opener, but wil...
Tony Vitello's Ejection Reflects Giants' Frustrating Season
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello was ejected from Sunday's season finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dan McGrath: In the playoff arms race, Cubs and Sox are behind on the count
Gone are the days of Don Cooper trusting his starters to get through the order a third time. Now, both teams put their hopes in a collection of journeymen.
Two Scientists Killed in Russian Strike on Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences
The death toll from a Russian strike on the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv has risen to two scientists, with several colleagues still missing,
Jeffery Simmons Tired of Excuses After Another Frustrating Titans Loss
A dominant defensive performance couldn't save Tennessee from self-inflicted wounds and late-game collapses. Now sitting at 0-3, the star lineman demands his teammates stop talking and start winning.
Kremlin transfers control of German retailer Metro's Russia business
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian assets of German retailer Metro AG placed under temporary administration. The step comes against a background of tension between Germany and Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Fire, Smoke and Desperation After a Strike in the Heart of Kyiv
A Russian jet-powered drone hit Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, the source of almost all of the country’s major scientific discoveries.
Kremlin transfers control of German retailer Metro's Russia business
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian assets of German retailer Metro AG placed under the temporary administration.
This Virus Stole a Human Gene and Won’t Let Go of It
Scientists have found a human gene lurking in a virus that causes skin infections. It may be using our own DNA to infect us.
Russian attack on Ukrainian Academy of Sciences
Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, responds to the attack on the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.
California firm licenses ‘potent’ anti-measles antibodies from Vanderbilt Health for development, clinical testing
Further development could lead to the first monoclonal antibody therapy against the highly infectious measles respiratory virus.
Staff killed and wounded in Russian strike on Kyiv’s science academy
Moscow’s jet-powered drones pummel Ukraine’s capital in switch to daytime attacks
Russian drones hit Kyiv science academy and hospital
One person killed and six injured in attack on capital, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges countries to do more to protect Ukraine
Billy Ray Cyrus shares never-before-seen letter from Dolly Parton: ‘One of my most prized possessions’
The Country singer unveiled the note in honor of “9 to 5 Day,” a.k.a Dolly Parton Day, adding, “Today felt like the right day to share it.”
How Dolly Parton’s Estate Fight Exposes Hidden Risks In Family Businesses
Families with trusts or legacy businesses can learn from Dolly Parton's estate dispute, which shows how heir‑employees, governance gaps and unclear authority spark conflict.
Scanning the waiver wire for intriguing options
The Penguins would probably figure to not use waivers to boost their lineup, given all the depth they already have. However with four players placed on IR yesterday plus the statuses of Bryan Rust (injured) and Andrei Kuzmenko (personal) still up in the air for the start of the season, the waiver wire could hold […]
Essentia Health hosting vaccine clinics ahead of respiratory virus season
As we move into fall, Oct. 1 marks the unofficial start of the respiratory illness season. This is typically when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starts to see an uptick in reported cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19.
Saturn’s moon offers clues in search for extraterrestrial life
With a global ocean of liquid water below a thick crust of ice, Saturn’s moon Enceladus is one of the most promising places to search for life beyond Earth. A new study suggests the moon itself may aid in that search by making some ocean compounds easier for future spacecraft to detect.
Vinik Sports Group, Cabot Citrus Farms unveil new premium hospitality destination at Benchmark International Arena
Multi-million-dollar transformation creates elevated Cabot Club experience for hockey, concerts and live events
Kyiv Science Academy hit as Russian jet-drones strike across Ukraine
KYIV, Sept 28 () - At least one person was killed when a drone hit the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on Monday, as Russia pounded the centre of the Ukrainian capital. Kyiv Mayor Vitali...
Javonte Williams with a Good Week 3
Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams rushed 19 times for 98 yards and a touchdown and also caught two balls for five yards in the 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.
Commentary: Higher education plays an integral role in building the trust democracy requires
Democracy’s future will be shaped not only at the ballot box, but also in classrooms, community forums, and everyday conversations that help citizens better understand one another.
In Iowa, Republicans feel the heat and try to motivate ‘frustrated’ base
A combination of factors has made the state a tougher landscape for the GOP.
Russian strikes on Ukraine kill at least 7, including woman at Kyiv's National Academy of Sciences
Deadly strike on Kyiv Science Academy as Russian jet-drones hit Ukraine
The Ukrainian capital’s mayor said 19 people had been injured in attacks on the city.
Russia attacks scientists in strikes on Kyiv
A Russian drone hit Ukraine’s science academy in the heart of Kyiv, killing a woman and causing a large fire.
Get flu and COVID shots before the end of October, public health officials say
Respiratory virus season is on its way, and health officials say it’s time to schedule seasonal vaccines for flu and COVID-19.
Russian drone ‘hits National Academy of Sciences’ in central Kyiv
A Russian drone slammed into a building belonging to Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on Monday, causing a fire local media reported.
3-foot claws, tons of teeth: ‘Anatomically bizarre’ giant dinosaur found by scientists
Paleontologists described Kayrasaurus changliensis, the largest known therizinosaur from the region, despite its fearsome claws and teeth.
Fresh Face: Former beauty queen turns nursing frustration into scrubs business
Ramina Ashfaque went from beauty queen to nurse to the founder and chief executive officer of Ashh Scrubs, a line for healthcare workers with sizes from XXXS to 3XL.
Chargers Defense Was a Bright Spot in Week 3 Loss
The Chargers defense gave the team every opportunity to win against the Bills, forcing five turnovers and keeping Josh Allen in check. Unfortunately, the offense once again failed to capitalize, making the loss even more frustrating.
Tennessee Titans news: Titans lose another heartbreaker vs. Giants
The Tennessee Titans are going frustrated after a loss against the New York Giants in Week 3.
Businesses in NYC's East Harlem say MTA's endless construction is crushing them: ‘Total brutes’
Zidane urges players to embrace challenge of playing for France
France head coach Zinedine Zidane called on his players to relish playing for the national team as his squad went through its final preparations without injured skipper Kylian Mbappé for Monday night's Nation's League tie against Belgium in Brussels.
'Flat' Plymouth display frustrates boss Cleverley
Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says he is frustrated by his side's "flat" performance in their 1-0 loss to Burton Albion.
Patients Warn That Mental Health Surveillance Could Undermine Care
A 2024 study found that the use of surveillance-based technology in inpatient and acute mental health settings is rising despite little evidence that New research finds patients and nurses fear video monitoring could undermine therapeutic relationships, compromise privacy and dignity, fuel mistrust, and replace human care with surveillance.
In Iowa, Republicans feel the heat and try to motivate ‘frustrated’ base
The political environment for the party has led to widespread alarm. “It feels like it could be a wipeout,” one strategist said.
Scientists Test an Unexpected Sleep Aid Made From Tree Roots
A pilot study suggests that oil from underused Hinoki roots could be used in scented products for relaxation. Falling asleep can be compared to easing down a dimmer switch, with brain activity gradually shifting as sleep deepens. Researchers studying Hinoki, or Japanese cypress, are exploring whether its scent could help smooth that transition for women
Health Tech Keeps Choosing Violence
Last week was an absolute dump of health tech litigation mayhem, with enough new filings to make my wife seriously question my bedtime reading. Here’s what’s inside: OpenEvidence v. Doximity: Doximity didn’t wait for the deadline. It wants OpenEvidence’s case thrown out entirely, and its motion adds some awkward details about vanished Slack data and borrowed NPIs. Plus, Epic v. Apple offers a look at what a normal discovery fight looks like. Texas v. Epic: Epic took another shot at the State’s antitrust pleadings, asking the court to make Texas spell out how its employment restrictions harm competition and why Texas law reaches a Wisconsin company’s noncompetes. Veeva v. Epic: The two Wisconsin law professors finally weighed in on whether a would-be employer can challenge someone else’s noncompete. Audacious Inquiry v. CRISP: Our sleepy patent case just evolved into a much more interesting form, with CRISP firing back with attempted monopolization and information blocking counterclaims. Cognizant v. Infosys: After weeks of emails and phone calls, I finally have Judge Starr’s sealed ruling on Infosys’s antitrust counterclaims. Some survived, offering clues about where the Epic (and other system of record) antitrust cases stand their best chance OpenEvidence v. Doximity
Ohio farmers are getting crushed by our politicians’ failure to fight for us
I’m Joe Stimmell. I am a lifelong resident of Ashland County and farmer of more than 20 years, where I raise 25 head of beef cattle and farm about 700 acres of corn, soybeans, and small grains with my...
Commentary: Ohio farmers are getting crushed by our politicians’ failure to fight for us
I’m Joe Stimmell. I am a lifelong resident of Ashland County and farmer of more than 20 years, where I raise 25 head of beef cattle and farm about 700 acres of corn, soybeans, and small grains with my brother and uncle. I am unaffiliated with any party or candidate. I’ve been through tough times, […]
Dortmund defender picks up injury on international duty
Borussia Dortmund are sweating over the fitness of Julian Ryerson after the 28-year-old was forced off while on international duty with Norway.Ryerson was substituted after 66 minutes of his country��...
After five years of war, how do Ukrainian small businesses survive?
In this interview, writer and journalist Victoria Belim-Frolova shares her observations about Russia’s war on Ukraine and how it forces “a constant process of adaptation,” especially in women-led small businesses.
Mike Tomlin Explains How Steelers Took Down Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers came alive, particularly on offense, in a thrilling 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns, Jaylen Warren rushed for 127 yards, and even DK Metcalf had a touchdown in the home victory. The game was a complete turnaround following last week’s 20-3 loss against New England […] The post Mike Tomlin Explains How Steelers Took Down Bengals appeared first on HEAVY.
Kremlin pressures Russian businesses to pay for drone defences
Vladimir Putin backs army and spy agencies’ push to make businesses defend themselves from Ukrainian strikes
Miami-Dade Homeless Trust says Citrus Health employee charged in alleged theft of $1.2 million
A Citrus Health Network employee has been arrested and charged with allegedly stealing more than $1.2 million in funds.
Messi on target again but Miami downed by Columbus
Lionel Messi scored a brilliant equalizer but could not prevent Inter Miami suffering a costly 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer on Sunday.But Messi's 21st goal of the regular season proved to be in vain as Crew dug deep to frustrate Inter Miami for long periods.
What the movement to integrate the arts and health can teach us about making research matter
Moving research into action requires more than publishing evidence. Stories, images, trusted messengers and examples of uptake can build public acceptance, shift what people see as possible and help evidence become practice and policy
Just One in Four People Trust Business Leaders as AI Adds to Global Trust Gap
Just 24% globally trust business leaders and only 23% trust AI chatbots, according to Ipsos, highlighting a growing leadership and AI trust challenge. Just 24% globally trust business leaders and only 23% trust AI chatbots, according to Ipsos, highlighting a growing leadership and AI trust challenge.
Fewer Than One in Four People Trust Business Leaders as AI Adds to Global Trust Gap
Just 24% globally trust business leaders and only 23% trust AI chatbots, according to Ipsos, highlighting a growing leadership and AI trust challenge. Just 24% globally trust business leaders and only 23% trust AI chatbots, according to Ipsos, highlighting a growing leadership and AI trust challenge.
Art that serves others: How a Harnett County muralist is making a lasting mark in her community
Van Goat Studios, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself and reflect the spirit of local communities through murals. Photo provided by Elyse Johnson.Elyse Johnson of Van Goat Studios in Dunn wants to spread her artistry and make a lasting mark in her community. Van Goat, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself through murals and decorating electrical boxes in the urban landscapes of North Carolina. On top of traditional mural painting, Johnson offers what she calls “portable murals,” an option tailor-made for structure owners who do not want to commit to a design for their wall.“A contractor builds a framed piece of wood, and then they can frame the ‘mural’ onto the wood, whether it’s into their building, whether it’s interior or exterior,” Johnson said. The beginnings of Johnson’s journey into establishing Van Goat Studios reflect the teachings she wants artists to take away today: everything is a learning opportunity. When she started Van Goat, she shared it was a joint venture with a business partner. “I mainly did that because I didn’t feel like I was ready to go and do this on my own,” Johnson said. Her business partner eventually dropped out of the project, deciding she wanted to pursue other forms of art. That is when Johnson was thrust into growing her business on her own during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had built up my confidence enough to go out and reach new heights,” she said. “And I was probably one of the few that benefited from COVID.”The moment presented a silver lining for Johnson. One of her first projects was a Farmers Day mural for the town of Coats. “When COVID-19 hit, Coats was not able to hold their annual festival, so they had a little bit of savings. They decided they wanted to do something for their community without getting anyone sick,” Johnson said.From there, word of mouth spread. Now, Johnson has an organic way of approaching projects. “Like a lot of muralists, if I feel inspired by a building, I will just go up and talk to that building owner and tell them a mural is something they should consider,” Johnson said. But above all, Johnson says she wants art to be accessible to everyone. Johnson said she is trying to stick to projects that benefit “the little guys.” “I’m not trying to go for a project in downtown Raleigh to get the eight-foot-tall building,” Johnson said. “I’m not trying to go to those major cities and get those huge buildings for two reasons: one, I don’t want to go that high; two, my passion really lies with the small guys.” But due to financial constraints and the material reality of art commerce, that requires open communication, she added. “I don’t want to just snowball you with this huge price, and then you just shut me down because it wasn’t what you were thinking,” Johnson said. “At the same time, I am an advocate for the arts, so I’m not going to give you a $10,000 mural when you’re only going to pay $5,000.” There is a healthy balance in explaining the artistic process and working with clients and the surrounding community, Johnson said.“Your municipality invested this, and this is why they invested this, and this is how it’s going to help and improve your community,” she noted. “Same thing when I’m talking to a small business. You asked for me to come at you with this that is outside your budget. How do we make this still your same exact goal, but within your budget lines?” Johnson also provides lessons to aspiring artists. She does so with a mission: how do you master the balance between being a great artist and a competent business owner? “We still do art lessons, but I’m also going to give you business scenarios,” she noted.One of the scenarios she has come up with for her students is a T-shirt competition. “The kids have to think about ‘okay, I can’t just draw whatever I want on a T-shirt. I need to think about what colors Miss Elyse likes. What does Miss Elyse’s logo look like? What would Miss Elyse like?’” Johnson said. “So the design needs to be around that kind of concept.” As Johnson looks toward the future of Van Goat Studios, she is thinking of time, longevity and succession. Johnson is a new mom, which she said has shaped how she sees the future of the studio.“I still want my name and my business out there continuing, so that when my daughter is of age and she can be more independent, then I can be out there doing more and more,” Johnson said. “I would love to get a student to pass this on to, or an intern. I would love for this business to be passed on to the next generation and let them go.”
Oak Group's Art Show Benefits California Rangeland Trust
Building on four decades of promoting preservation through art, The Oak Group will present its fall 2026 show and sale benefiting the California Rangeland
What your “Gut Feeling” is telling you about your health
Your gut microbiome is made of trillions of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi. In the past 10 to 15 years researchers have made big breakthroughs on how
Bengals’ Dominant Defense Disappears in Loss to Steelers
Aaron Rodgers dismantled Cincinnati’s elite unit as injuries to key starters left the secondary vulnerable, stalling a fierce pass rush and forcing a late Joe Burrow turnover.
Chase Brown limited to 61 rushing yards
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown rushed 13 times for 61 yards in Week 3
Michigan tumbles out of AP Poll after loss to Iowa
Michigan fell out of the AP Top 25 after a frustrating loss to Iowa:
South Carolina star Dylan Stewart suspended indefinitely by Shane Beamer
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer announced that star edge rusher Dylan Stewart has been suspended.
Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 4
UCLA running back Wayne Knight continues to lead the Big Ten in rushing, and Indiana's backup has rocketed up the leaderboard after Week 4.
Breece Hall posts 55 yards before injury
Jets RB Breece Hall posts 32 rushing yards and 23 passing yards against DET
Kenneth Walker III totals two touchdowns
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III rushed 18 times for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3
Dirty hands, healthy life? What science really says may shock you - Futura-Sciences
The Rich Ecosystem Right at Our Fingertips For years, our skin was viewed as just a protective barrier. But in truth, it’s an ecosystem bursting with millions of invisible microorganisms: the cutaneous microbiome. It’s home to beneficial bacteria (like Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes), fungi (think Malassezia), viruses (such as...
Scientists say Italy's crust is 'unzipping,' driving Apennine seismic activity
Similar processes may be occurring near the Hellenic trench south of Greece.
Giant, feathered dinosaur with massive claws and tons of teeth found in China
But don't worry, this Cretaceous behemoth probably ate plants.
Changing UK benefits for young people a ‘moral crusade’, says minister
Pat McFadden urges Labour MPs to back overhauls, amid signs party looking to cut payments for some 16- to 24-year-olds
Recent Utah, Texas incidents fuel rumors and political narratives undermining trust in election integrity
Real voting issues become misleading narratives through false allegations of “voter fraud” intentions and other well-worn tactics.
California Politics 360 full episode | Attorney General Rob Bonta reacts to Paramount settlement
After several states, including California, agreed to settle an antitrust case with Paramount, a federal judge wants to learn more about the settlement.
Arvell Reese has an unglamorous job for the Giants today
The Giants drafted Arvell Reese fifth overall, and naturally everybody wants to see the explosive pass-rush plays. Against Tennessee on […]
What Happens to Your Brain During Anesthesia? Scientists Are Still Searching for Answers
There is a strange kind of trust involved in going under general anesthesia. One moment you are answering a nurse’s questions beneath bright operating room lights. Then, seemingly seconds later, hours...
As soaring energy prices crush businesses, France rolls out a new $500 million aid package, including help with commuting and heating costs
Fuel prices that have spiked since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28 are dealing a hard blow to small businesses across Europe.
Swiss voters reject bid to lock neutrality into Constitution
The country is known for neutrality, but Russia's war in Ukraine reopened questions over its non-engagement in foreign conflicts
Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck to sit vs. Greece
The Borussia Dortmund defender will get a day off.
New soil test could reveal how soil microbes help feed plants
Scientists have streamlined a method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus in soil, making it cheaper and easier while preserving its accuracy. The technique could reveal how soil microbes help recycle phosphorus and ultimately support more sustainable fertilizer and nutrient management.
Marvel's Wolverine review: visually spectacular, but frustratingly safe
Grrr, Grrrrr, Rrrrrgh, Grraahh, Rrraaargh, Gnnnh… JEAN!… Snarf.
Business People
Arvest Bank announced it has named Leo Cantu community bank president for the bank's Russellville and Clarksville markets. In his new role, he will provide leadership and day-to-day direction for the bank's operations, serving businesses and organizations throughout Pope and Johnson counties.
Iran Praises Turkey’s Push for Regional Peace, Security
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi lauded Turkey’s efforts to strengthen peace and security in the region, calling for greater regional cooperation and mutual trust in the face of foreign intervention.
Max Verstappen Reveals What Went Wrong in Baku Qualifying
The Dutchman reveals that the internal combustion engine stopped working correctly from Q1 causing a loss of half a second and a chain of electrical failures. He trusts in changing the unit without penalty and aspires to the podium from eighth place.
In 1969, scientists began fertilising Ontario's Lake 227 with nitrogen and phosphorus; they stopped adding nitrogen in 1990, but annual algal blooms continued for decades as phosphorus additions remained
controlling phosphorus is central to controlling freshwater eutrophication.
Bryan Rust Injured in Penguins’ Preseason Finale
Pittsburgh Penguins stalwart Bryan Rust left Saturday’s preseason finale at Buffalo because of an undisclosed injury. Rust, who has pretty […]
Scientists believe avian keratin disorder is cause of fishhook beaks in Alaska chickadee population
The virus is causing “the highest concentration of (visible) deformities ever recorded in a wild bird population.”
Anthony Santander's Season Ends in Frustration For Blue Jays
The slugging outfielder will make another run at in 2027.
Trump claims stunning casualty numbers in Russia-Ukraine war
Trump claims 25,000 people died last month in the Ukraine-Russia war and reveals he pushed Volodomyr Zelenskyy to settle with Vladimir Putin.
TST Best Bets: September 26, 2026
Two ranked Big Ten battles highlight Saturday’s slate, led by No. 12 USC hosting No. 20 Oregon at the Coliseum. The Ducks have won four straight in the series, but the Trojans have a chance to end that skid while strengthening their place in the College Football Playoff race.No. 17 Iowa and No. 18 Michigan also put their undefeated records on the line in Ann Arbor. With both teams leaning on physical rushing attacks and two of the nation’s better defenses, points could be difficult to come by at
Can Omarion Hampton Move Past His Fumbling Woes?
Omarion Hampton has already lost two fumbles through the Chargers’ first two games. With turnovers hurting the team early this season, Hampton needs to fix his ball-security issues quickly and prove he can be trusted with a heavy workload.
‘Paper Tiger’ Director James Gray Says ‘Art Isn’t Sunday School’
James Gray says he doesn’t “want to preach” politics with “Paper Tiger,” despite the film’s unexpected parallels to Trump, Russia and Ukraine.