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Lesbian Bar Project Co-Founder: Purity Politics Could Destroy Our Remaining Spaces

Subscribe As a professional lesbian and Massachusetts native, I’ve recently been asked by a lot of folks what I think about the saga unfolding at Last Ditch. The now-viral story, first reported by The Boston Globe, centers on a Western Massachusetts lesbian bar that lifted its mask requirement for one night a week to help drum up business. The decision ignited an intra-queer controversy that has been feasted on by media outlets across the political spectrum—from the New York Post to LGBTQ Nation—and is even reportedly being eyed for a Hollywood adaptation. Apparently nothing is more entertaining than a bunch of lesbians and queers fighting with each other over KN-95s. What has been lost in all of the chatter and media coverage is the very real possibility that Last Ditch, which just opened in April 2025, will have to close its doors. The venue’s one remaining founder, Jackie Matellian, revealed in a community Zoom meeting that she’s working four jobs, is now solely responsible for the bar’s $50,000 business loan and is struggling to keep up with the bills. So as we laugh about the controversy’s similarity to a “Portlandia” skit and how one of the bar’s founders left to enroll in clown school, we forget that yet another lesbian bar is facing an existential crisis—and this time the call is coming from inside the house. In 2020, my friend Elina Street and I created The Lesbian Bar Project, an Emmy-, Webby- and GLAAD Media Award-winning docuseries and initiative that tells the stories of lesbian queer bars around the world. We were moved to act because at the time there were only an estimated 16 lesbian bars in the United States, and the pandemic threatened to bring that number down even further. There are now more sapphic bars than there were just before the pandemic—about 36 of them in total—but this is down from approximately 200 in 1980. Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but for the millions of sapphics living in the U.S., this number is calamitous. As the world laughs at lesbians and sapphics, I want to take a second and tell you what I feel when I walk into one of these bars, which are all unique and irreplaceable in their own way: I feel seen. Sometimes I think Cubbyhole in New York City’s West Village neighborhood knew I was gay before I did. When I walked in there for the first time, before I was even out, I was transfixed by the colorful array of tchotchkes hanging from the ceiling and how the women standing next to me were completely unafraid to express their desire for one another. I knew the minute I was ready to come out, I had a home. I also felt the joy of a new couple falling in love at Seattle’s Wildrose, the quiet confidence of a short king lining up her shot at the pool table at Ginger’s in Brooklyn and the kick of cayenne pepper in Julie Mabry’s crawfish at Houston’s Pearl Bar. Subscribe Lesbian bars don’t just serve lesbians; they serve queer folks across the spectrum, including bisexual, pansexual and trans people. As Elina and I traveled across the U.S. and Europe and to parts of Latin America to document the bar owners, staff and patrons that make up the ecosystems of these spaces, we also became uniquely acquainted with the factors that threaten their existence: gentrification, wage gaps, sexism, environmental disasters, gun violence, rising insurance premiums and political administrations working to annihilate queer people and their families. Lesbian bar owners, like all leaders and entrepreneurs, are imperfect. There have been significant issues over the years at lesbian bars: employee harassment, racism, lack of accessibility, sexual assault and transphobia. All bar owners should be held accountable and should listen to their communities to evolve into safer and more equitable spaces. I also acknowledge my privilege: I am able-bodied, white, cis and from a family system that loves me for who I am. Not everyone has that. Queer people, especially trans and bisexual people, are suffering from disproportionately high levels of depression, and our mental health system isn’t equipped to support them. Immunocompromised people and long COVID are real, and many of my friends are suffering to this day. The people with the least safety net are often the ones for whom a bar closing costs the most. And yet, as we’re seeing with Last Ditch, the queer community often lashes out at each other. It’s also the mainstream media taking the internal conflict and making a mockery out of it, distracting from the real possibility that this bar could close due to financial pressures. A bar that many people loved and needed is facing extinction. Perhaps it’s safer to dissent with one another than with the larger forces trying to eradicate us, but in doing so, we risk destroying the few spaces we have left. Due to the constraints of purity politics—some in good faith, some not so much—lesbian bar owners, almost all of whom are queer women themselves, are forced to be everything for everyone, similarly to how women are forced to be everything for everyone. By asking these bars to uphold impossible standards—standards very few other third spaces are asked to consider—we all end up losing. I want to move as a community toward dialogue, compassionate dissent and collaboration to make our spaces better with the goal of keeping them OPEN and thriving, rather than destroying them from the inside with expectations that are arguably unattainable. Subscribe While I have your attention—for this fleeting second of the news cycle—may I urge us to spearhead a way to keep these small businesses afloat without attacking our own community along the way? Bar owners are left with an impasse: They want to be community-centered, but they also have to make money to keep their doors open. Sometimes they might make business decisions that don’t work for everyone—and that’s partly because different patrons have different priorities and want different things—but these owners deserve the opportunity for productive dialogue**.** We have to work with them and with each other to keep our spaces open, to keep them growing. Lesbian bars raised me into the queer woman I am today. One thing I think about as I reflect on the six years of work we’ve done to document these spaces is that shared, unspoken language I have with a stranger the moment we both walk into one of these bars: the nod, the ease, the not having to explain ourselves. I don’t want to lose that, and neither should you. If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button: Donate

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Sep 29 • 7:01 AM EDT • Politics • unclosetedmedia.com
Cottagers on tour: Castagne, Charles in action

As the international break continues to rumble on, Fulham's stars continue to be involved and there were three players involved for Fulham on Monday night - find out who and how they got on below!

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Sep 29 • 7:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Ex-Trump prosecutor Smith will tell senators he won't 'be silenced' by threats of prosecution

The former Justice Department special counsel who brought two federal indictments against President Donald Trump will tell lawmakers he “will not be silenced by continued threats of prosecution” from the Trump administration and believes the rule of law is being threatened like never before

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Sep 29 • 6:34 AM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com
Ex-Trump prosecutor Smith will tell senators he won't 'be silenced' by threats of prosecution

The former Justice Department special counsel who brought two federal indictments against President Donald Trump will tell lawmakers he “will not be silenced by continued threats of prosecution” from the Trump administration and believes the rule of law is being threatened like never before.

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Sep 29 • 6:28 AM EDT • Politics • wsls.com
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Dengue fever surge in Florida shows the virus’ growing threat in the U.S.

The outbreak, centered on Tampa Bay, is the state’s largest on record. Experts offered several possible explanations for the high case count.

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Sep 29 • 5:30 AM EDT • Health • nbcnews.com
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Four Red Bulls injured

Veratschnig, Redzic, Aguilar and Omoregie all outSome bad news during the international break: following the injury to Damir Redzic announced yesterday, our Red Bulls face three further absences.Nikol...

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Sep 29 • 4:36 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
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Revisiting Rivalries: Crystal Palace October Preview Part 1

Crystal Palace fans will be looking forward to the return of competitive matches, with three tense fixtures in the first half of October.

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Sep 29 • 4:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Two different views on Amendment 1, the abortion/reproductive health amendment on Virginia’s ballot

Virginians are voting on three proposed constitutional amendments.

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Sep 29 • 4:00 AM EDT • Health • cardinalnews.org
AB Science’s “Calendar Update” Is a GCP Inspection Disclosure in Disguise

AB Science buried a five-inspector "for cause" GCP inspection inside a financial calendar update. Masitinib's ALS trial and three terminated studies deserve a…

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Sep 29 • 3:39 AM EDT • Science • clinicaltrialvanguard.com
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Makai Lemon does little to aid offense on MNF

Makai Lemon caught three of four targeted balls on Monday night for 29 yards.

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Sep 29 • 2:23 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Chicago Bears 27-7 Philadelphia Eagles: Case Keenum drives Bears to three touchdowns in first NFL game since 2023

Case Keenum pushed Chicago Bears to 27-7 victory against Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, as the backup quarterback made his first appearance since 2023; watch Steelers @ Browns on Thursday Night Football live on Sky Sports from 12.05am on Friday

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Sep 29 • 2:08 AM EDT • Sports • skysports.com
Brutal drop for Rome Odunze as struggles continue Monday night

Rome Odunze caught three passes for 44 yards but dropped an easy touchdown during the team's blowout win over Philadelphia.

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Sep 29 • 1:37 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
DEA Highlights the Integral Role of Forensic Science in Addressing the Synthetic Drug Crisis

As synthetic drugs continue to evolve and threaten American lives, DEA chemists and forensic science professionals play an essential role in helping the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration identify emerging threats, connect evidence to investigations, and provide timely information that can save lives. From analyzing suspected fentanyl and other novel synthetic drugs to examining fingerprints and…

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Sep 29 • 1:00 AM EDT • Science • laniercountynewsonline.com
From wild rice to tarwi, researchers are exploring the health potential of Indigenous foods

A conference paper reviewed North American and Andean Indigenous foods, including Three Sisters crops, wild rice, native berries, tarwi, quinoa, and amaranth, and described their nutrients and bioactive compounds. Evidence for health effects remains limited for many of these foods, and the authors call for research developed with Indigenous communities that also supports traditional knowledge and food sovereignty.

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Sep 28 • 11:49 PM EDT • Health • news-medical.net
Case Keenum Shines as Bears Dominate Eagles in Statement Win!

The Chicago Bears delivered one of their biggest performances of the young season Monday night, taking down the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 at Soldier Field. With starting quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury, Chicago turned to veteran Case Keenum, and the longtime NFL quarterback delivered when his team needed him most. Keenum threw for…

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Sep 28 • 11:28 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
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Chinese Academy of Sciences sets sci-tech progress priorities in 5-year plan

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has released its development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, setting priority directions for sci-tech breakthroughs in three major fields: basic research, strategic high technologies and sustainable development.

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Sep 28 • 11:01 PM EDT • Science • chinadailyhk.com
Andy Dalton's first pass of 2026 season was an interception

Former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton entered the Eagles-Bears Monday Night Football game in relief of Jalen Hurts, and threw a pick in the end zone.

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Sep 28 • 9:30 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
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Kings’ Ben Simmons addresses critics, mental health; says he is in top form

The three-time All-Star is back after physical and mental health struggles nearly derailed his career.

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Sep 28 • 9:29 PM EDT • Health • sacbee.com
Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown Make NFL History

Detroit Lions stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown became the first teammates since 1962 to each score at least five touchdowns through three games.

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Sep 28 • 9:28 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Nothing’s New Headphone (1) Pro Are Made for the Studio

With three drivers in each ear and tuning from Metropolis Studios, Nothing wants its new $399 cans to shine in the studio while also making your commute more musical.

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Sep 28 • 9:00 PM EDT • Technology • wired.com
Former Patriots $54.5 Million Pro Bowler Heads to NFC West

A former New England Patriots defensive end has signed with a new team, almost three seasons after last playing for the Pats The post Former Patriots $54.5 Million Pro Bowler Heads to NFC West appeared first on HEAVY.

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Sep 28 • 8:46 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
U2 Helped Prove The Sphere’s Business Model — And Still Holds A Record At The Venue

Three years after 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere' began, U2 still holds Sphere’s highest per-show residency average at roughly $6.1 million.

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Sep 28 • 8:36 PM EDT • Business • forbes.com
WA business owners speak on losses caused by copper wire theft

Small business owners in Seattle report significant financial losses from repeated copper thefts. At Ballard’s Lockspot Cafe, owner Alison Soike dealt with three destructive break-ins that wrecked the restaurant's refrigeration, requiring $10,000 in repairs.

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Sep 28 • 8:30 PM EDT • Business • fox13seattle.com
Monday Night Football live discussion: Eagles at Bears

Our Monday Night Football live thread is now open.

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Sep 28 • 8:00 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Planning ramps up for 3 universal childcare pilots upstate

The three-year pilots were authorized as part of this year’s state budget and are seen as a small step toward state-wide universal childcare.

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Sep 28 • 7:34 PM EDT • Politics • spectrumlocalnews.com
Florida’s health emergency is drawing attention to a growing mosquito threat

Florida has declared a health emergency after reporting 190 locally acquired dengue fever cases and one death, with experts warning the mosquito-borne illness may grow more common as climate conditions change.

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Sep 28 • 7:31 PM EDT • Health • cleveland.com
Eagles vs. Bears Week 3 game thread

The Eagles will face the Bears in Week 3 on ‘Monday Night Football’.

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Sep 28 • 7:16 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
[NAC] FNCS Solos Qualifiers in NA Central: Qualifier 1 Day 1 Round 1

Drop into the FNCS Solos! The competition kicks off with Round 1, featuring two three-hour sessions—Day 1 and Day 2—with up to 11 matches per session. Eligible players must rank within the top 200,000 on the overall Power Rankings Leaderboard. Players ranked in the top 2,000 may skip Round 1 and automatically qualify for Round 2; however, choosing to compete in Round 1 forfeits that automatic qualification. After both Round 1 sessions conclude, scores from Day 1 and Day 2 will be combined. The top players on the cumulative leaderboard will advance to Round 2: Top 8,000 EU; Top 4,000 NAC; and Top 2,000 OCE, ASIA, ME, BR, and NAW. Round 2 consists of one three-hour session with up to 11 matches. At the end of the session, the top 1,000 players in each region will advance to Round 3. Round 3 also features one three-hour session with up to 11 matches. In Qualifier 1, the top 100 players on the Round 3 leaderboard will advance to Fast Track. In Qualifier 2, the top 108 players will advance to Heats. Good luck and have fun!

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Sep 28 • 7:00 PM EDT • Technology • fortnitetracker.com
Monday practice report for Steelers

Steelers list three cornerbacks on first practice report of week

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Sep 28 • 6:24 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
WA business owners speak on losses caused by copper wire theft

Small business owners in Seattle report significant financial losses from repeated copper thefts. At Ballard’s Lockspot Cafe, owner Alison Soike dealt with three destructive break-ins that required $10,000 in repairs.

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Sep 28 • 6:20 PM EDT • Business • fox13seattle.com
Jacie Hoyt Signs Extension With Oklahoma State Through 2030-31

Oklahoma State has extended Jacie Hoyt through the 2030-31 season after 84 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years. With the nation’s No. 1 transfer class arriving, OSU is betting on Hoyt to take the Cowgirls another step forward nationally.

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Sep 28 • 5:51 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Should UNC be Three-Touchdown Home Underdogs vs. Notre Dame?

Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels face a massive test as three-score home underdogs against unbeaten Notre Dame.

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Sep 28 • 5:23 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Iowa businesses recognized as top 100 US small businesses

Three Iowa businesses were named to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses list. The CO—100 recognizes small businesses for their growth, innovation and commitment to their customers, according to a news release. Original Group Holdings, a woodworking equipment manufacturer in Britt, was recognized as a community champion. The company…

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Sep 28 • 5:14 PM EDT • Business • businessrecord.com
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. […]

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Sep 28 • 5:10 PM EDT • Science • bnonews.com
NAVANEETHAKRISHNAN: You do not know women’s sports

When female autonomy is still marketed through male desire, is it really empowerment or just the same gaze repackaged?

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Sep 28 • 5:01 PM EDT • Sports • vanderbilthustler.com
How former Cyclones performed in Week 3 of the NFL

Nine former Iowa State football players recorded stats around the NFL during Week 3 and played a combined 332 snaps. Breece Hall – New York Jets In a 31-24 loss against the Detroit Lions, Hall started. He recorded 13 carries for 32 yards. Hall also hauled in three passes for 23 yards. Snap counts are […]

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Sep 28 • 4:39 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Takeaways: Nationals finish 2026 with series win vs. Mets

The Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets to complete three straight series wins and close out the 2026 MLB season.

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Sep 28 • 4:31 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
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.

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Sep 28 • 4:13 PM EDT • Technology • gamefile.news
Difazio Hosts Third Annual Drum Clinic at NEK-TV

NEWPORT–On Saturday morning, a dozen or so drumming enthusiasts gathered at NEK-TV for Terry Difazio’s third annual drum clinic, sponsored in part by the Memphremagog Arts Collaborative.

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Sep 28 • 4:11 PM EDT • Entertainment • newportvermontdailyexpress.com
Schneps Media Recognizes Three NYC Health + Hospitals Leaders as "Power Women of Brooklyn" for 2026

Schneps Media recognized three leaders from NYC Health + Hospitals for its “Power Women of Brooklyn” recognition list for 2026. The honorees are Manjinder

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Sep 28 • 4:04 PM EDT • Health • nychealthandhospitals.org
Seattle theater has a top-flight performer in Yusef Seevers

In three short years, Yusef Seevers has taken Seattle theater by storm, and he’s just getting started.

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Sep 28 • 4:00 PM EDT • Entertainment • yakimaherald.com
Three January vesting dates: AMC Entertainment (AMC) grants CEO Adam Aron share rights tied to service.

Awarded September 24 under AMC's 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, each unit carries a right to one Class A share within 30 days after vesting.

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Sep 28 • 3:59 PM EDT • Entertainment • stocktitan.net
A stock award for AMC Entertainment (AMC)'s CFO is set to vest over three Januaries, subject to service.

Granted September 24, the stock rights each represent one Class A share. One-third is scheduled to vest each January from 2027 through 2029, subject to service.

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Sep 28 • 3:50 PM EDT • Entertainment • stocktitan.net
402,577 shares are tied to an executive award at AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC), with vesting spread over three years.

Daniel E. Ellis received the award on September 24, 2026. One-third is scheduled to vest each January from 2027 through 2029, subject to service conditions.

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Sep 28 • 3:41 PM EDT • Entertainment • stocktitan.net
Scenes From the 2026 State Fair of Texas

Photographer Jason Janik documents the people, traditions, excitement, and well-earned naps of the Fair throughout its three-week run.

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Sep 28 • 3:38 PM EDT • Entertainment • dmagazine.com
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?

It's been a little over a week since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones? If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far? MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through.

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Sep 28 • 3:26 PM EDT • Technology • macrumors.com
Turned down MIT for a little-known college. Not everyone understood.

Hannah Mitchell turned down MIT for a the Merchant Marine Academy. Three months in, she says it was the right decision.

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Sep 28 • 3:20 PM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com
PAHO Director’s Annual Report highlights health gains across the Americas despite growing challenges

Report highlights disease elimination milestones, progress in immunization and maternal health, and expanded access to medicines, while warning of the loss of the Region’s measles-free status and other health threats

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Sep 28 • 2:57 PM EDT • Health • paho.org
AMC Entertainment (AMC) executive Mark Way's rights to 362,319 shares vest over three years.

One-third of Way's award is scheduled to vest in each January from 2027 through 2029, subject to service conditions. Shares are due within 30 days of vesting.

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Sep 28 • 2:56 PM EDT • Entertainment • stocktitan.net
181,160 share rights for AMC Entertainment (AMC)'s accounting chief vest in three January installments

Chris A. Cox's award vests in thirds in January 2027, 2028 and 2029, subject to service. Each vested unit carries a right to one Class A share.

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Sep 28 • 2:48 PM EDT • Entertainment • stocktitan.net
Scientists Found Two Bizarre New Sea Spiders. One Has Three Lips and Red Eyes

... and the other is crawling with microscopic parasites.

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Sep 28 • 2:46 PM EDT • Science • zmescience.com
Sea level rise reshaping California beach town and threatening rail line

San Clemente's North Beach is now split and officials have used rocks to shore up a seaside rail line. But residents say the structure is making erosion worse and more sand is needed to nourish the beach.

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Sep 28 • 2:45 PM EDT • Science • pbs.org
Rams’ Super Bowl hopes might already be in jeopardy

Three games in and LA has yet to play like the contender they were expected to be

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Sep 28 • 2:35 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Climate System Warning: The Hidden "Multiplier" Discovery That Has Scientists Deeply Worried - Futura-Sciences

The Unseen Threat: Nature’s Own Greenhouse Gas Emissions For years, the scientific consensus has been clear: today’s climate change is driven first and foremost by massive deforestation and, above all, greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), this...

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Sep 28 • 2:30 PM EDT • Science • futura-sciences.com
SLV community foundation receives major grant from Colorado Health Foundation

Three-year grant award to help connect nonprofits and residents, develop leadership programs in San Luis Valley, Colorado.

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Sep 28 • 2:25 PM EDT • Health • alamosacitizen.com
Delaware health centers receive nearly $23M for technology, mobile care

Gov. Matt Meyer and other Delaware officials announced nearly $23 million in federal funding to upgrade patient records, expand care coordination and improve access to services in rural communities between three federally qualified health centers.

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Sep 28 • 2:06 PM EDT • Health • delawarebusinesstimes.com
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 5: Three reasons to go Pro

Apple debuted AirPods 5 in September. Here's how to decide between AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3, including all the new features.

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Sep 28 • 2:05 PM EDT • Technology • 9to5mac.com
Baker Mayfield expected to miss several weeks

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles expects QB Baker Mayfield to be sidelined three weeks

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Sep 28 • 2:01 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
🚨 Belgium vs France: official XIs, Zidane changes almost all

Massive squad rotation.On Monday evening, the France team plays its second Nations League match in Belgium, three days after its opening win in Turkey (1-0).Matchday 2 of the 2026-2027 Nations League ...

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Sep 28 • 1:35 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
UCSB researchers to collaborate in three of NSF's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

UCSB researchers to collaborate in three of NSF's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

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Sep 28 • 1:21 PM EDT • Science • news.ucsb.edu
How will Chivas Femenil beat FC Juárez?

Chivas Femenil will resume training this week after securing their second straight win against Cruz Azul, a result that allowed them to add three more points to their Apertura 2026 campaign and streng...

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Sep 28 • 1:19 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Vikes Views: Sunday King

The Minnesota Vikings won on the road in Tampa Bay, in an ugly game. There were 17 punts, 3 Interceptions, and 17 penalties. Three different times, the teams combined for five consecutive possessions ending in punts. The teams averaged less than 17 yards per possession in a defensive battle. The two defenses are stout, but […]

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Sep 28 • 1:15 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
John Mayer maps Sphere shows with innovative format

John Mayer will hit the Las Vegas Sphere in the spring for shows that showcase his music in three forms.

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Sep 28 • 12:35 PM EDT • Entertainment • centraloregondaily.com
Muckleroy & Falls adds Josh Carson to help lead Dallas business unit

Muckleroy & Falls (M&F), a Texas-based builder, announced that Josh Carson has joined the company as Vice President – Business Unit Leader. Carson

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Sep 28 • 12:34 PM EDT • Business • fortworthreport.org
Morgan Rogers Names His Top Three Players Of All Time

Chelsea’s record signing reveals the legendary trio that inspired his game while grounding hype around Stamford Bridge’s newest frontline as Xabi Alonso’s side battles defensive inconsistencies.

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Sep 28 • 12:26 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
First Look: Three-level, 'shared reality' entertainment venue Cosm opens in Detroit

Detroit residents and visitors have a new venue in the heart of the city to catch live sports, movies and other events.

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Sep 28 • 12:24 PM EDT • Entertainment • chainstoreage.com
Butler County mental health board eliminates finance department after audits find accounting discrepancies

As the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board seeks voter approval of a 1-mill, 10-year renewal levy, the board has voted to eliminate its entire finance department following the discovery of accounting discrepancies dating back more than three years.

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Sep 28 • 12:10 PM EDT • Health • journal-news.com
Marvin Harrison Jr. with three grabs

Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. had three catches for 40 yards in the Week 3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday.

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Sep 28 • 12:04 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
MacBook Pro redesign is coming, with three features we’ve waited years for

Apple has a big MacBook Pro redesign in the works that’s expected in October, here are three rumored features we’ve waited a long time for.

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Sep 28 • 11:55 AM EDT • Technology • 9to5mac.com
The Lions Still Can’t Cover a Tight End

Three Jets tight ends piled up 164 yards and two touchdowns on Detroit's defense Sunday. #Lions

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Sep 28 • 11:55 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Is Coastal Flooding Now Predictable?

Flooding has long been an unpredictable event, as poorly understood as hurricanes or any weather. That may no longer be the case.

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Sep 28 • 11:41 AM EDT • Science • science20.com
Yonkers business partner tussles for company records

A business that says it owns half of three Yonkers real estate entities is demanding access to company records. MJM

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Sep 28 • 11:30 AM EDT • Business • westfaironline.com
Brandon Miller Gives Major Injury Update Before Hornets Camp

Brandon Miller said he has been cleared for full contact for about three weeks after undergoing left shoulder surgery in May.

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Sep 28 • 11:07 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Houston Astros rebound from 11 games under .500 and win AL West

Houston will host the Chicago White Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.

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Sep 28 • 10:02 AM EDT • Sports • spectrumlocalnews.com
Houston Astros rebound from 11 games under .500 and win AL West

Houston will host the Chicago White Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.

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Sep 28 • 10:02 AM EDT • Sports • spectrumlocalnews.com
Cleveland Orchestra musicians end short-lived strike

With a new three-year contract secured that includes guaranteed annual raises of 5%, musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra have called off a strike.

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Sep 28 • 9:52 AM EDT • Entertainment • crainscleveland.com
Watch: Rob Lowe announces Netflix documentary about his life

"The West Wing" and "Parks and Recreation" actor Rob Lowe announced a Netflix documentary about his life that was "three years in the making."

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Sep 28 • 9:51 AM EDT • Entertainment • upi.com
Risk Of Death, Major Disease High Following Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Sept 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes dramatically increases a person’s short-term risk of death or life-threatening illness, a new study says. Within five years of their diagnosis, patients with type 2 diabetes have a 33% increased risk of ...

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Sep 28 • 9:16 AM EDT • Health • usnews.com
Three Questions Clippers Will Need to Answer During Media Day

Los Angeles has a new-look roster heading into its first media day since the Kawhi Leonard trade, and three topics need clear answers before camp starts in Hawaii.

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Sep 28 • 9:15 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Can Steelers End Thursday Night Woes in Cleveland?

Since 2019, the Cleveland Browns are 6-1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. Three of those wins have come on […]

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Sep 28 • 9:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Bellamy sure Wales belong as Haaland threat looms

Craig Bellamy expects Norway to be a force for years, but insists Wales have earned the right to be in Nations League A.

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Sep 28 • 8:08 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
What do the numbers tell us about Hogh's Celtic start?

It is fair to say Kasper Hogh has not had the start he or Celtic would have wanted after the club spent a club-record fee to sign the Denmark striker from Bodo/Glimt. Having bagged 53 goals in 102 appearances for his previous team, a handful of which came in the Champions League against top-level opposition, the 25-year-old arrived to fanfare following the signing of fellow big-money capture Camilo Duran. Now, with Martin O'Neill's men on a three-game losing run, serious questions are starting to be asked after Hogh's underwhelming introduction.

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Sep 28 • 8:05 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
NC State a 6.5-point underdog to Louisville

NC State dips back into conference play with the toughest opponent on its schedule this season, the Louisville Cardinals. It would have been a good idea to come into this one with a record better than 2-2, but Louisville is probably thinking the same thing. The Cardinals are coming off a surprising three-point home loss […]

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Sep 28 • 7:43 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
In GOP Speaker Mike Johnson's district, the political mood is mixed for the party in power

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The GOP's “Big Beautiful Bill” is rolling out in different ways across U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s home district — from steakhouse servers getting a tax break on tips to a community center where people line up for a free hot lunch as SNAP benefits are being cut.

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Sep 28 • 7:28 AM EDT • Politics • wral.com
Can Orlando Magic Answer One Major Question This Season?

Injuries frequently derail Orlando’s momentum, leaving fans wondering if a stable roster and veteran continuity can finally transform this young core into a resilient postseason threat.

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Sep 28 • 7:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Didn’t get ‘Oasis Live ’27′ tickets? Here’s where you can still buy them

All 42 dates sold out across three days of code-only sales.

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Sep 28 • 7:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • syracuse.com
Meta's Muse AI assistant raises major cybersecurity and privacy concerns

Meta's Muse AI assistant is helping users save money on subscriptions, but it requires access to personal bank accounts and credit cards. Liz Peek warns of potential cybersecurity risks and the threat of rogue agents.

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Sep 28 • 6:57 AM EDT • Business • foxbusiness.com
A rural Michigan town lost its hospital. The impact goes beyond healthcare.

A rural hospital closed, giving three-days notice. A Michigan town is living with the consequences.

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Sep 28 • 6:45 AM EDT • Health • mlive.com
High Tide Named to Report on Business Ranking of Canada's Top Growing Companies for Sixth Consecutive Year

High Tide Inc. ("High Tide" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: HITI) (TSXV: HITI) (FSE: 2LYA), the high-impact, retail-forward enterprise built to deliver real-world value across every component of cannabis, announced today that it placed No. 315 out of 375 companies listed on the 2026 Report on Business ranking of Canada's Top Growing Companies, with a verified three-year revenue growth rate of 66% over the 2022 to 2025 measurement period. Highlighting the Company's increasing profitability profile, Ad

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Sep 28 • 6:00 AM EDT • Business • finance.yahoo.com
Walker Kessler’s Threat To Jazz Before Lakers Trade Revealed

The Jazz were at risk of losing Walker Kessler for nothing in 2027.

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Sep 28 • 5:34 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Global benchmarks are mixed despite Wall Street's rally finish last week

Global shares are trading mixed Monday after a cooldown in oil prices last week helped U.S. stock close out their first winning week in the last three. Benchmarks are rising

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Sep 28 • 5:20 AM EDT • Business • yakimaherald.com
Honor’s Magic 9 Pro Max has a big camera and a bigger battery

The phone borrows Arri’s “three-lens turret” design.

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Sep 28 • 4:00 AM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Asian benchmarks are mixed despite Wall Street's rally finish last week

Asian shares are trading mixed Monday after a cooldown in oil prices last week helped U.S. stock close out their first winning week in the last three. Benchmarks rose in

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Sep 28 • 3:40 AM EDT • Business • timesargus.com
Asian benchmarks are mixed despite Wall Street's rally finish last week

Asian shares are trading mixed Monday after a cooldown in oil prices last week helped U.S. stock close out their first winning week in the last three. Benchmarks rose in

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Sep 28 • 3:40 AM EDT • Business • rutlandherald.com
Slow start continues for Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton had three catches for a team-high 46 yards in a comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

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Sep 28 • 3:21 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
☹️ Negative (-27%)
Roma to activate Balerdi’s buy option

Three appearances against Atalanta, Torino, and Inter have already been enough to leave a strong impression. Leonardo Balerdi arrived at Roma on loan from Marseille, but everything suggests his experi...

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Sep 28 • 2:10 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
😐 Neutral (0%)
Three touchdowns for Bo Nix in Week 3

Bo Nix passed for two touchdowns and added a third on the ground during the team's comeback win over the Rams.

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Sep 28 • 2:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
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.

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Sep 28 • 1:37 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
Davante Adams shreds Denver's secondary on Sunday night

In a high-profile matchup with Patrick Surtain II, Davante Adams turned 13 targets into seven catches fir 137 yards in Week 3.

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Sep 28 • 1:17 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
☹️ Negative (-27%)
Navigating the American Dream: How Integrated Financial Tools, Credit and Rewards Can Help Small Businesses Succeed

(Feature Impact) Owning a small business has been a cornerstone of the “American Dream” for generations. It represents the chance to transform a passion into a livelihood and legacy. However, turning dreams into reality is rarely a smooth or easy process and requires more than ambition alone. Today’s business owners need support and access to tools that enable them to overcome challenges and keep growing.#placement_678081_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid678081 = window.pid678081 || rnd;var plc678081 = window.plc678081 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=678081;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid678081+';place='+(plc678081++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');Recent research conducted by the Capital One Insights Center shows 75% of more than 1,000 surveyed small business owners with more than one employee and annual revenues of up to $20 million are confident about the future, and 69% believe their business is actively primed for growth.While this optimism is promising, 47% of business owners still said their operations either stayed the same or became less efficient over the past year, citing issues like back-office friction and fragmented financial systems that make it difficult to get a clear picture of the health of their businesses.If you’re a small business owner eager to grow but not sure how to get there, start with this advice from real small business owners and experts at Capital One.Identify Sources of FrictionBefore you can pour effort into growth, you must understand what barriers are holding you back. Take time to look under the hood of your business to identify where time and energy is being lost.For example, you may be among the 78% of small business owners who feel stressed and uncertain about expense management – think hours spent hunting for receipts, manually entering numbers into software and reconciling accounts. Operational challenges aren’t just a hassle; they also pull attention away from important priorities like serving your customers and planning for growth. “We were focused on making as many candles as possible, especially during the busy season,” said Katie Roering, co-owner of Fontana Candle Co. “A lot of the back-office tasks like procurement, raw material purchasing, forecasting – all the really important things – were done at 3 a.m., 8 p.m. or on Saturday and Sunday, and there really just was not enough time in the day to get everything done that we needed to. We just knew as we continued to grow, we needed to streamline our processes, build out our team and keep moving forward.”Use Integrated Tools to Manage FinancesInstead of balancing 10 different tracking and analysis tools, you can turn to one-stop solutions to improve efficiency. Time gets lost when you’re forced to manually gather and interpret relevant data before you’re able to act. You need a platform that handles the busywork for you.Integrated, or “all-in-one,” financial tools – like accounting and bookkeeping platforms with automation capabilities or business credit cards featuring built-in analytical tools – allow you to easily stay on top of cash flow and day-to-day operations. For small businesses where every hour and dollar makes a difference, consolidating and automating systems can have an immediate impact. In fact, 51% of survey respondents said integrated tools have already fueled their growth.Leverage Credit Access and Rewards WiselyGrowth requires capital, so access to credit is a game-changer for many business owners, with 77% describing it as a key factor in achieving business resilience. Having funds accessible when you need them makes your business more capable of weathering storms such as equipment failures and seasonal slowdowns. It also puts the power in your hands to act when an exciting opportunity presents itself, like an inventory flash sale or the chance to advertise in a new market.Access to credit comes with another advantage: rewards. By using credit cards for your daily business expenses, you can earn cash back, points or travel rewards. Whether you redeem these to cover everyday expenses, book business trips or reinvest in the business, they can act as a bonus source of income. Learn to maximize rewards like the 84% of small business cardholders surveyed so you aren’t leaving money on the table.To learn more about how small business owners can identify obstacles, employ integrated financial tools and use credit as a tool for growth, read the full report at capitalone.com/about/insights-center.Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

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Sep 28 • 1:00 AM EDT • Business • times-herald.com