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Liking Las Vegas: UAE delegation visits to explore business, tourism opportunities
The group from the emirate where Wynn Resorts is building a $5.7B hotel-casino touted Ras Al Khaimah as a "growing business hub" and was seeking advice.
Montana Democratic Party chair steps down, endorses independent candidate
Shannon O'Brien is the latest state Democrat to endorse independent candidate Seth Bodnar over embattled party nominee Alani Bankhead for Montana's open Senate seat.
YouTube Overtakes TV as Top Source of Political News, Study Finds
The Center for the Creator Economy’s inaugural industry Flash Report Survey finds six in 10 Americans say they trust independent creators as much as professional journalists.
Banijay Execs Tout Global Entertainment Ambitions Following All3Media Merger
CANNES, France — Banijay Entertainment may be the world’s largest independent television production company, but its top executives say the recently merged entertainment powerhouse has ambitions that extend far beyond making television shows. “We are an entertainment company,” CEO Marco Bassetti said Oct. 12 during a keynote discussion at MIPCOM Cannes. “We aren’t anymore just … Continue reading "Banijay Execs Tout Global Entertainment Ambitions Following All3Media Merger"
Here are the results of an independent look at the financial health of Lancaster County\'s hospitals
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s financial status improved considerably from 2024 to 2025, during which time it shaved off almost $40 million of its operating deficit, according to an
Can science prove the Earth is round? Every major test points to the same conclusion
Earth's shape can be tested in surprisingly simple ways without relying on space photographs. The strongest part of the evidence is how many independent observations lead to the same answer.
Mentorship Matters: How Mark Belk Shapes Independent Seekers of Truth
BYU alumnus Brenden Orocu reflects on how he was impacted by Professor Mark Belk, demonstrating the importance of mentorship for college students.
In Iowa's competitive races, Senate candidates lean into healthcare issues
Democrats hoping to flip statewide and congressional seats have been campaigning hard on healthcare issues, hoping to win some needed Republican and independent votes. But what impact it may have on this year's close races is unclear.
Manchester City auditors under pressure over club’s guilty verdicts
Manchester City’s auditors are under pressure following the news of the Independent Commission’s guilty verdicts against the Premier League club, according to a report.Photo by Michael Regan/Getty...
Commentary: Andrew Bailey is back in Missouri and talking like a candidate
Andrew Bailey is back in Missouri after leaving the FBI, railing against Jefferson City insiders who helped build his political career.
Scientists map faces to find key to beautiful smile
Findings may lead to better aesthetic treatments for South East Asians
Scientists map faces to unravel secrets behind a beautiful smile
Findings may lead to better aesthetic treatments for South East Asians
Commentary: Debates have changed the course of U.S. history. They could change Tennessee’s.
The Tennessee Press Association will hold a gubernatorial debate with Democrat Jerri Green and two independent candidates.
Could independent governor candidates spoil the race? History says maybe
The Democratic and Republican nominees for governor have targeted their independent opponents. Do Blackburn and Green have reason to be concerned?
Man City charges cloud hangs over Premier League season
Manchester City emerged unscathed from a hostile reception at Anfield in their first match since a guilty verdict on widespread financial impropriety, but a 3-0 win over Liverpool highlighted the uncertainty that now surrounds the Premier League season.Yet those points could count for nothing unless City are successful in their appeal against the findings of an independent commission, that found them guilty of over 100 Premier League charges.
John Stamos shares health update on Beach Boys singer Mike Love: ‘He insists on being on stage’
‘The Mike Love we see tonight may not be exactly the Mike we’ve always known,’ the actor said
Commentary: I opened a primary care practice. Now I see why doctors are giving up.
Traditional health insurance pressures doctors to work at volume, or if they add layers of bureaucracy that independent physicians can't easily handle, writes Dimitri Coupet, who says it's time to consider formalizing a direct payment of care model.
Manchester City charges: Appeal, sanctions and timelines explained
City have been found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules and now face points deductions, huge fines and even expulsion as punishment
Global trust in science lower than before Covid pandemic, report finds
The proportion of people expressing at least some trust in science has fallen 5 per cent since 2018
Liverpool vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with City playing for the first time since an independent commission found them guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial rule...
A small-town Alaska fisherman has Republicans on the defensive as they try to keep US House majority
Bill Hill is running for Congress as an independent in Alaska and he's positioning himself as a working-class candidate who can relate to people's frustrations with high fuel and other costs.
A small-town Alaska fisherman has Republicans on the defensive as they try to keep US House majority
Bill Hill is running for Congress as an independent in Alaska and he's positioning himself as a working-class candidate who can relate to people's frustrations with high fuel and other costs.
What Shapes Independent Political Identity?
The increase of independent political identities has significant implications for the basic functioning of American democracy.
From family practice to business leadership: Dr. Michael App continues his journey at Davenport
Michael App, M.D., is a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids and a busy man. He runs his own private medical practice, leads the largest network of independent physicians in West Michigan, serves as medical director for Interim Hospice and Home Health Care of West Michigan, and is a student at Davenport University.
Proponents Press For Mental Health Parity
At Friday presser criticizing the Trump administration for letting insurance companies not adequately cover mental health and addiction treatment.
Up to 12 Million Americans Have Lost Health Coverage During Trump’s Second Term: Analysis
Independent healthcare analyst Charles Gaba reveals up to 12 million Americans lost healthcare coverage under Trump's second term. Medicaid, ACA, and CHIP enrollment all down significantly.
Entertainment lineup revealed for new MSC World Asia cruise ship
New shows and guests favourites will be performed aboard MSC World A
Maresca: Man City will win appeal against Premier League breaches
Enzo Maresca is adamant that Manchester City will be successful in their appeal against the independent commission’s decision to find them all guilty of breaching the Premier League’s rules. The c...
YouTube overtakes TV as top source of political news, study finds
The Center for the Creator Economy at Syracuse University—the nation's first academic center dedicated to the advancement of interdisciplinary academics, independent research, policy engagement and support ...
Design open science to be equitable, policymakers urged
Independent report for European Commission calls for “infradiversity” across infrastructures
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Hosts 1st Annual Health & Wellness Fair Featuring DJ Darla, Aztec Dancers, and Hourly Games
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) is proud to present its 1st Annual Health & Wellness Fair: "Building Healthier Families,
Physician Organizations Oppose Legislation That Gives Health Insurers Unilateral Control Over Out-of-Network Payments
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and American College of Radiology (ACR) today expressed strong opposition to the Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) that would eliminate the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process established under the No Surprises Act (NSA) and replace it with payment rates calculated by health insurance companies.
Trump bucks and the politics of mailing checks
The checks started going out last week, nearly one million of them, and mostly to battleground states. With a return address for the U.S. Treasury and a letter enclosed signed by President Donald Trump, these one-time checks for $500 were ostensibly government rebates for Obamacare enrollees who overpaid. In the accompanying letter, however, Trump attacks his predecessor and talks about his record in office on an important issue he’s not polling well on, which makes it seem more like the most expensive political mailer in U.S. history. The average piece of direct mail costs between 30 cents and $3, according to Mail Processing Associates, a print, mail, and fulfillment company. At $500 a pop plus roughly 50 cents each to issue the paper check, the cost of Trump’s healthcare mailer sent to more than 950,000 enrollees comes in at more than $475 million. Trump’s midterm healthcare message “For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare dot gov,” Trump wrote in the letter. “That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you!” In the letter, Trump makes false and misleading claims about his administration’s record on healthcare costs, an issue Democrats have a 20 point advantage on over Republicans, according to a recent poll from KFF, a nonpartisan health policy think tank. Trump touts his administration’s TrumpRX program, which he claims is “delivering massive discounts.” However, new research from KFF found that of a selection of drugs available on the TrumpRX platform, just five were the lowest price, while 13 were the highest price. Trump also falsely claims in the letter that he’s fighting to lower healthcare costs. In reality, average monthly premium payment costs for enrollees rose 58% under Trump while marketplace sign-ups declined 5%, per KFF. Under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it’s estimated 10 million more Americans will be uninsured by 2034. You get a check and you get a check and you get a check Trump’s long promised cash outs to his fans, from his days as a casino operator and gameshow host to his presidency. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the first Trump administration made the unprecedented move to put Trump’s name on checks that went out under the CARES Act (notably the $500 refund checks this time around don’t feature Trump’s name). Ever since, Trump’s been chasing that high. In his second term, Trump’s promised more stimulus that never arrived, like refund checks from DOGE cuts and tariffs, while he said at his party’s convention last month that he’d give out $5,000 checks to everyone if Republicans win in November. In reality, DOGE overstated its cost cutting and Trump’s government actually now spends more than former President Joe Biden’s, while Trump’s tariffs actually grew the trade deficit. His proposal for $5,000 checks would add about $1.2 trillion to the national debt. The problem is there’s no money to give. These $500 checks — plus $90 Medicare rebate checks also going out as well as $250 deposited this week in some Trump Accounts for kids courtesy Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan — represent the closest Trump’s going to get to making good on his promise to deliver cash fast. And the checks seem especially targeted. Though the $500 checks went out to enrollees in one of 30 states that use the federal HealthCare dot gov marketplace, a Reuters review found 71% of the payments, or $339 million, went to enrollees in 13 states that have the most competitive elections for governor and U.S. Senate. Most Americans don’t buy it Could Trump bucks sway the election? An Economist-YouGov poll found 57% of U.S. adults doubt Trump will deliver on his promise for $5,000 checks, compared to 21% who do. “I’m waiting on my DOGE check and I’m still waiting on my tariff check,” one 2024 Trump voter who’s since turned on him told a recent focus group. “It felt like kind of trying to buy people’s votes, which honestly felt like in elementary when the class president was like, hey we’re going to take you to the water park if you vote for me. It’s like, I don’t think it works like that.” But for voters in swing states who got a check, it could still matter. One survey published in 2022 found receiving a physically personalized check in the mail during the pandemic was associated with a much greater self-reported likelihood of voting for Trump in 2020, and those gains mainly came from out partisans. The issue for Trump comes if these checks are mostly going to Obamacare enrollees whose premiums have gone up by more than just $500 since he took office and who view the money as something like a bribe before the election rather than an actual long-term solution to lowering household costs. Spending $500.50 per mailer would be absurd as a normal campaign expenditure, but since Trump’s checks and letter are a government rebate, his campaign and super PAC didn’t have to spend a dime and he got out his message regardless. If enough voters in key states are swayed by the one-time payment, it could prove to be the best $0 the Trump campaign spent. Subscribe [ ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) [ Why independent candidates are making independence central to their brand ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) Hunter Schwarz · Oct 6 [ Read full story ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) [ ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) [ These designers and grocery nerds will brand Mamdani’s NYC grocery stores ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) Hunter Schwarz · Oct 2 [ Read full story ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) Trump wants to turn his first-ever golf course into a government course for presidents
Arts and Entertainment lineup for Oct. 9-19
Note: for a complete list of calendar events from around Garfield County and the Roaring Fork Valley, go to http://www.postindependent.com/entertainment/community-calendar/. Embervine: A Night of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s Hits What: Bring your friends and your...
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
In his new role as the executive chairman of Apple's board of directors, Tim Cook told The Independent's David Phelan that he is "not meddling" with Apple's new CEO John Ternus. "First of all, John and I have an incredible level of trust in each other," said Cook. "The relationship must be based on trust, and the communication must be frequent and significant. But other than that, what I'm focused on right now is worldwide policy.
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
The Independent's David Phelan on Wednesday interviewed Apple's executive chairman Tim Cook at Apple's U.K. headquarters in the Battersea Power Station, and one of the topics they discussed was John Ternus taking over as Apple's CEO. Ternus, who was previously Apple's hardware engineering chief, succeeded Cook as Apple's CEO on September 1. Cook said the transition "started years ago". "It's been an interesting transition," said Cook.
Man City charges: Erling Haaland encourages club's fans to stay positive after guilty verdict
Man City were found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission; City have lodged their appeal against the verdict
Byron Donalds 45%, David Jolly 45%: St. Pete Polls finds the Governor's race deadlocked with four weeks to go
Both candidates gained a point since September; Jolly's lead among independents is now 17.
Missouri Jury Awards $10 Million In Marijuana Business Ownership Dispute
“We are here trying to get back the business that they stole from us.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent A St. Louis jury awarded $10 million Tuesday to three plaintiffs in a sprawling ownership battle over six Missouri cannabis licenses involving more than 20 businesses and individuals. Over a week of testimony, jurors heard about […]
Scientists find signal that suggests AI is about to go rogue
Simple maths formula can predict when artificial intelligence is about to give dangerous responses, researchers say
Ribbon Cut On Relocated Child Behavioral Health Hub
Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center cut the ribbon Wednesday on the new home of its Child & Family Guidance Program at 150 Dixwell Ave., moving the children's behavioral health services hub into a larger space inside ConnCORP's newly built First HAVEN building.
Local business bakes up community connections
Flour and Thyme incorporates local florals and herbs in its baked goods, rooted in a deep connection to Athens.
Facility for Rare Isotope Beams hosts The Future of Mental Health
Michigan State University's Independent student voice since 1909
Scott McTominay returns to Napoli training after heart procedure
McTominay was diagnosed with a mild, benign arrhythmia in September
Voluntary Business Update on Prosus Food Delivery
AMSTERDAM, October 08, 2026--Prosus N.V. (Prosus) (Euronext Amsterdam: PRX; JSE: PRX) today announces a letter to shareholders outlining a Food Delivery Update for Prosus. The financial information on which this update is based has not yet been reviewed nor reported on by Prosus’s independent auditor.
Independent Bank relocates its headquarters to downtown Grand Rapids
Independent Bank relocated its headquarters to the Founders Building in downtown Grand Rapids, bringing more than 60 employees to the site.
The Math Singularity Is Here, and Science May Be Next
OpenAI has released an extraordinary body of mathematical work produced by an unreleased frontier model: 722 manuscripts spanning 372 research families across fields including number theory, complexity theory, and mathematical physics. Each result required, on average, the equivalent of roughly three hours of ChatGPT Pro reasoning. A New Era of Discovery We may be witnessing the beginnings of a “math singularity”: a point at which machine-generated discovery accelerates beyond humanity’s ability to independently reproduce, verify, or fully absorb it. If frontier models can generate hundreds of meaningful results in the time it takes a human researcher to investigate one, the constraint will no longer be producing new mathematics. It will be our capacity to validate, interpret, and integrate it. This does not make mathematicians obsolete. It changes their role. They may increasingly serve as guides, critics, and meaning-makers. Increasingly, they will decide which questions matter, determining which results can be trusted, and explaining why they are important. Mathematical insight may become abundant, while human judgment becomes more valuable than ever. Mathematics May Be Only the Beginning Every scientific discipline could eventually experience a similar acceleration. AI systems could generate and test hypotheses, connect findings across specialized fields, and explore possibilities at a scale no human research community could match. In medicine, imagine models identifying overlooked disease mechanisms, designing drugs and clinical trials, personalizing treatments, or discovering cures in months rather than decades. In materials science, AI could help create better batteries and cleaner industrial processes. In climate science, it could accelerate advances in energy, forecasting, and carbon removal. In biology, it could uncover relationships hidden across enormous genomic and molecular datasets. The result would not simply be faster research. It could expand the frontier of what is scientifically possible. The New Bottleneck Scientific discovery, however, is not the same as scientific progress. A medical breakthrough must still survive laboratory testing, clinical trials, regulatory scrutiny, manufacturing constraints, and real-world deployment. As machine-generated ideas multiply, the bottleneck may shift from producing breakthroughs to validating them safely and translating them into practice. We may soon have more hypotheses than laboratories can test, more drugs than clinical trials can evaluate, and more mathematical results than experts can review. That imbalance will require better systems for automated verification, reproducible research, prioritization, peer review, and collaboration between AI and domain experts. The importance of OpenAI’s work is not merely the number of manuscripts produced. It offers a glimpse of a world in which intelligence can explore thousands of intellectual paths in parallel. If ideas cease to be scarce, humanity’s defining challenge will be deciding which are true, which matter, and how to turn them into progress. The math singularity is not the end of human inquiry. It is the beginning of a new kind—one in which machines expand the frontier of knowledge and humans decide where it should lead. Subscribe Share Leave a comment
Green Bluff growers rely on fall festival profits
For the dozens of independent growers of Green Bluff, October isn't just pumpkin season — it's the four-week stretch that determines whether farms turn a profit or end the year in the red. Following a summer marked by wildfire smoke, high well-water pumping costs, and rising inflation, farmers are…
North Idaho bakery builds up skills from scratch
The Village Bakery owners, Dana and Todd Bellefeuile, have built their Hayden establishment around a workforce model that helps people with disabilities develop skills for future employment and independent living.
How Machines and Magnets Taught Science a New Way to Explain the World
A new historical analysis argues that cognitive science and statistical physics independently converged on a shared simulative methodology, the synthetic method, as the only viable path to understanding complex systems.
OPINION: Flippo's follies are making Nevada politics interesting again
OPINION: Flippo’s follies are making Nevada politics interesting again. Read more at The Nevada Independent.
Political Pulse: Pennington County District 1 Commissioner seat up for grabs
Independent Leslie Hladysz and Republican Mike Mueller are running for the open Pennington County Commission District 1 seat.
ULM grad named America's top independent pharmacist
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised America's top independent pharmacist who graduated from ULM
What the Manchester City verdict could mean for Palermo
Manchester City’s legal battle with the Premier League is being watched closely in Sicily, where Palermo are owned by City Football Group.According to the Premier League, an independent commission f...
Utah expands healthcare AI sandbox with August AI, Nolla Health pilots, adds third-party evaluators
Utah is expanding the state's AI regulatory sandbox program with new pilots to test AI-supported prescription renewals, dermatology and physical therapy, while adding physician oversight and indepe | Utah is expanding the state's AI regulatory sandbox program with new pilots to test AI-supported prescription renewals, dermatology and physical therapy, while adding physician oversight and independent third-party evaluators to strengthen safety and accountability.
Food Entrepreneurs Get A Free Crash Course In Growing A Business
At the inaugural CT Food Business Lab, hosted at SCSU and organized by CitySeed, the Hispanic Federation, the Urban League, and CT Food Launchpad.
Turkmenistan’s Ruling Duo Is Having a Family Feud. Will Their Regime Survive It?
Ex-president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov remains interested in politics, but his son Serdar, Turkmenistan’s current president, is becoming increasingly independent and willing to break with his father’s legacy. If their covert rivalry goes too far, both risk losing power.
Hear Iowa 1st Congressional District candidates on tariffs, Iran war
The marquee U.S. House race in Iowa's 1st District heads for a third rematch, with an independent candidate adding a fresh twist. Meet the candidates.
Big premium hikes possible for retirees in Nevada worker health insurance program
Active employees will also likely experience premium hikes if their plan includes a spouse or their family. Active workers who are the only members of their plan will likely see modest premium decreases.
WealthPath managed assets rise to new level
The top-ranked locally-owned independent wealth management firms in Northwest Arkansas have exceeded $2 billion in managed assets, while another surpassed $1 billion in managed assets for the first time, according...
Kettering Health will no longer be in-network with Anthem's Medicare plans in 2027
Ohio has a free independent hotline at 800-686-1578 to help people compare Medicare plans during open enrollment.
UEFA monitoring Man City case before deciding on potential action
UEFA is monitoring Manchester City’s financial case and will wait for the Premier League disciplinary process to conclude before considering whether to take any action of its own.An independent comm...
McDonald’s faces antitrust suit over AI-driven pricing
The lawsuit alleges the company violated antitrust law by working with independent franchisees to fix prices using algorithms.
CD&R, McKesson acquiring infusion therapy provider Option Care Health for $5.8B
Option Care Health, a provider of infusion therapy services, is being acquired by private equity firm CD&R and healthcare conglomerate McKesson in a deal valued at $5.8 billion, the companies a | Option Care Health, the country's largest independent provider of at-home and alternate site infusion services, would go private in the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2027.
New York's 'voice for small business' names O’Mara 2026 ‘Guardian of Small Business’
Elmira, N.Y., October 5—New York’s leading voice for small and independent businesses, the National Federation of Independent Business of New York State (NFIB/NY), has named State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) an NFIB/NY 2026 “Guardian of Small Business.”
CD&R and McKesson Corporation Sign Agreement to Acquire Option Care Health
NEW YORK & IRVING, Texas & BANNOCKBURN, Ill., October 06, 2026--CD&R, McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) ("McKesson"), and Option Care Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPCH) ("Option Care Health") announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which CD&R and McKesson will acquire Option Care Health, an independent provider of home and alternate site infusion services, for $32.05 per share, reflecting a total enterprise value of approximately $5.8 billion. At the closing of the tran
DarioHealth Announces Independent Aon Analysis that Supports Estimated 2.5%-7.2% In-Year Reduction in Total Healthcare Costs
A component study of the independent review by Aon found $5,077 in annual savings and 23.5% fewer inpatient discharges per Dario user with type 2 diabetes...
Carragher: Manchester City should face three-to-five-year punishment
Manchester City should face a multi-year punishment for their financial misdemeanours, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. An independent commission found City guilty of breaking Premier League rules in a strongly-worded report released last week, which the club have appealed against.
Minnesota gubernatorial candidates discuss business platforms at Economic Club discussion
Minnesota gubernatorial candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (DFL) and Rep. Lisa Demuth (R) faced off Monday afternoon in a forum hosted by the Economic Club of Minnesota. Each candidate took the stage independently to answer questions from a moderator for 30 minutes apiece.
Minnesota gubernatorial candidates discuss business platforms at Economic Club discussion
Minnesota gubernatorial candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (DFL) and Rep. Lisa Demuth (R) faced off Monday afternoon in a forum hosted by the Economic Club of Minnesota. Each candidate took the stage independently to answer questions from a moderator for 30 minutes apiece.
Dysfunction rocks county health dept. at center of Michigan MAHA movement
Nurses allege a toxic workplace has taken root at the St. Clair County Health Department. But officials are shrugging off calls for an independent investigation of its anti-vaccine medical director.
The ‘War Games’ problem: Computer science has long understood what it takes to keep AI under control
AI agents don’t go rogue. That’s something only humans do. Nevertheless, a New York Times article – representative of much news coverage of AI – described an OpenAI hacking as “A.I. bots going rogue and independently spearheading a cyberattack.” Name-brand artificial intelligence agents have been on a hacking spree in…
Send us your questions for Texas Senate candidate James Talarico
Calling all Texas Republicans, Democrats, and Independents! Are you a registered voter in Texas? Then submit questions for CNN & Jubilee’s Town Hall with James Talarico on Wednesday, October 14 and engage in a direct conversation with the Texas Democratic Senate candidate on the issues that matter most to you.
Bones About Town takes over Main Street
Spooky season has made its way to Main Street — along with some new residents. Skeletons have taken over lampposts along the street, where they’ll live for all of October.
Banijay Entertainment Consolidates U.S. Operations to 'Banijay America' Under CEO Ben Samek
Banijay Entertainment Oct. 5 announced it is consolidating its U.S. operations under a new moniker, Banijay America, under the direction of CEO Ben Samek, who reports to Jane Turton, deputy CEO of Banijay Entertainment. The company is restructuring its operational footprint to centralize leadership and operational support while keeping its individual production labels creatively independent. … Continue reading "Banijay Entertainment Consolidates U.S. Operations to ‘Banijay America’ Under CEO Ben Samek"
Healthy aging should be measured by what we can keep doing
Healthy aging is about personal goals. Learn how to stay active and independent at an upcoming Tallahassee event.
2026 Outstanding Women in Business
The 18th annual Outstanding Women in Business awards recognize a dozen well-accomplished professionals from across the region and in many industries who go above and beyond. The committee selected the winners from more than 80 nominations, all of whom were worthy. The criteria evaluated each nominee’s professional achievements, community impact, ability to break the glass ceiling and mentorship of other professionals, particularly women. In addition to profiling these women in the following pages, the Worcester Business Journal will celebrate this year’s Outstanding Women in Business at a special luncheon on Oct. 28 at the College of the Holy Cross. To join the celebration of these exceptional women, visit WBJournal.com and register. – Mark Conti, editor This Year’s Judges Worcester Business Journal considered 54 Central Massachusetts professionals for the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business awards, based on 83 nominations. These nominees were independently evaluated by two volunteer judges, who scored each on their professional achievements, community contribution and mentorship of young professionals. Samantha P. McDonald is a partner at Bowditch. She is an experienced, client-focused real estate lawyer, concentrating on business and real estate property law. She has been recognized as a WBJ Power 100 in the Class of 2026 and a “Top Women of Law” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Dr. Kavita Babu is chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Heywood Healthcare, where she provides strategic and clinical leadership to advance high-quality, patient-centered care across the organization. She is also a member of the WBJ Outstanding Women in Business Class of 2025.
Why more tools are making independent agents less productive
Having more technology than ever, independent agents are spending more time on administration, not less. The industry selling them those tools carries more responsibility for that than it typically admits
Integral Ad Science to Provide Brand Safety and Suitability Measurement in ChatGPT Ads
NEW YORK, October 05, 2026--As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes digital advertising, marketers face a critical new challenge: ensuring brand safety and suitability within dynamic, generative AI-native environments. Without independent verification, advertising in conversational channels risks creating a blind spot for enterprise brands seeking reliable media quality standards.
Independent candidates hope to shake up status quo, give Oklahoma voters alternative option
Frustration with mainstream political parties prompted a number of independents to file for office.
Global action urged over digital media’s harm to young people’s mental health
In an effort to build a ‘healthier digital world’ for young people, experts are calling on tech firms to release data showing how platform features affect user wellbeing
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
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