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Pols & Politics: Massachusetts health officials now call mothers ‘birthing persons’
Motherhood is taking on a new meaning in Massachusetts as officials are now calling mothers “birthing persons,” Mike Minogue calls for relief at the pump, and Gov. Healey to launch new attack ad.
Casey Legumina Gives Rays Another Intriguing Bullpen Option for October
Casey Legumina is making a case for the Tampa Bay Rays' postseason bullpen after striking out four in two scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. With bullpen injuries and Ian Seymour's role uncertain, Kevin Cash has another intriguing relief option to consider for the MLB playoffs.
Hawaii offers tax relief for residents, businesses impacted by Hurricane Lowell
The relief applies to GET and TAT returns for the August through November 2026 tax periods.
For Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore’s $1M pledge brings relief and attention to ongoing suffering
Macklemore's $1 million donation pledge is coming at a critical time for Palestinian relief nonprofits.
For Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore's $1M pledge brings relief and attention to ongoing suffering
Macklemore's $1 million donation pledge is coming at a critical time for Palestinian relief nonprofits | WWL
'The Ford/Hill Project' review: Anita Hill, Christine Blasey Ford testify
In 'The Ford/Hill Project,' a new docudrama created by Elizabeth Marvel and director Lee Sunday Evans now at REDCAT, the Senate testimonies of Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford are entwined to throw into relief enduring political patterns.
As politicians squabble over utility rates, how much power does a governor have?
New York officials are promising relief and pointing fingers over who is responsible for high energy bills.
Duke Energy offering grants to small businesses impacted by recent flooding, storms
Small businesses recovering from recent flooding and storm damage could get thousands of dollars in relief through a Duke Energy Foundation grant. Applications are due Sept. 21.
Texas Business Court Denies Former CEO's Request for Emergency Relief Against Fermi's Board
Court denies all three of the former CEO's requests for a temporary restraining order, including requests to block the Board's bylaw amendments and the...
Ukraine Health Cluster Partner Emergency Response to Attacks, as of 31 August 2026
in English on Ukraine; published on 17 Sep 2026 by Health Cluster
McCordsville business owner pleads guilty to $600K pandemic relief fraud scheme
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) - A McCordsville business owner faces prison time after admitting to stealing more than $600,000 through a fraudulent pandemic relief scheme. Sandra Pierce, 42, pleaded guilty to t...
Partnership provides grants for small business disaster relief
A new partnership between the American Red Cross and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is helping small business owners ensure they're ready for disasters and giving them a potential lifeline.
FDEM spent about $1 billion on immigration last year, now it'll get more
State legislators approved $250 million for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Some will go toward hurricane relief, but a large portion will pay vendors for completed work at the immigration detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz."
Hennepin County ends Operation Metro Surge business relief fund amid fraud concerns
Jeffrey Lunde, a Hennepin County commissioner, explains why the Small Business Recovery Fund was shut down after fraudulent applications.
Painful endgame for Gray as stale Hibs slump
A club hero, David Gray ends his time as Hibs head coach not to the sound of euphoria from fans, but to the sound of a support collectively exhaling in relief, writes Tom English.
Belarus frees 25 political prisoners in return for US sanctions relief
The Trump administration said more releases would be secured soon amid improved US-Belarus relations.
Rock for Relief raises the volume for local nonprofits
Spend a day listening to live music by the river — all while supporting two great local organizations during the annual Rock for Relief fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 19, at
2 Morgantown business owners involved in COVID-19 loan fraud
Two Morgantown business owners were investigated in a surge takedown exceeding $245 million in a pandemic loan relief fraud.
2 Morgantown business owners appear in court in $245M nationwide COVID loan fraud sweep
Two Morgantown business owners have been sentenced or entered guilty pleas in federal court for defrauding pandemic-era relief programs as part of a nationwide enforcement sweep totaling over $245 million in intended losses.
Michigan voters really 'just want results' from Washington, says U-M political expert
Beyond the polarizing partisanship and rhetoric, most voters really just want results—and maybe some relief—from Washington.
Donettes provide sweet relief amid Hostess challenges
J.M. Smucker said its Donettes brand is gaining momentum in the morning snack daypart.
Fox Cities businesses balance tornado relief with keeping their doors open
This story was produced and originally published by Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. For a few weeks, countless donations piled up on Destiny Antuna's shop floor. Stacks of canned ...
Portland business owner sued for fraud after taking $348K in COVID relief loans
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland business owner is being sued by the U.S. government for allegedly misusing COVID relief funds. Ramzy Hattar is accused of collecting money from multiple Small Bus…
Hennepin County caught Metro Surge business relief fraud before it doled out thousands
Tight controls prevented the county from losing any money, but the attempts at thievery should be a wake-up call to officials across the state, one county commissioner says.
Business briefs: Aug. 11 storm relief efforts continue
News and events around the area
City Hall Construction Is Squeezing Old Town Businesses. Alexandria Is Looking for Ways to Help.
Businesses beside Alexandria City Hall say the years-long renovation is cutting foot traffic and parking. The City is now considering parking help, promotion and other relief.
SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Indiana Businesses, Private Nonprofits, and Residents Affected by Adverse Weather
Press release, U.S. Small Business Administration: Low-interest disaster loans now available WASHINGTON — In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued Aug. 25, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low interest disaster loans for Indiana businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning Aug. 11. The declaration covers Indiana primary counties of Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, LaPorte, Lake, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent
Medical journals have chosen activism over science
As a student of medicine in the library, overwhelmed by facts that hadn’t yet cohered into a point of view, I read medical journals. They brought me relief — a feeling that life as a doctor was full of muddled people, usually trying to do their best, who found purpose in their work. As a [...]Read More...
Hinson doesn’t rule out Trump’s pledge of $5K to adults; calls for relief for families
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson said Thursday she wants to look at all proposals aimed at improving affordability for working families, including recent comments from President Donald Trump to pay out $5,000 to U.S. adults.
Streetcar relief fund has paid out more than $4M to Omaha businesses
Businesses along the streetcar route say they are fighting every day to keep their doors open. A month after a $5 million fund launched to give them an assist, officials say most of the money is already out the door.
Fox Cities businesses balance tornado relief with keeping doors open
Small business owners put their daily operations on hold and organized large-scale efforts to direct volunteers and donation requests after the tornado. Now, they’re navigating how to continue help…
Willy Street businesses warn recovery far from over after Madison council rejects relief
Williamson Street business leaders say reopening the street has not meant a return to normal, one day after the Madison Common Council rejected $75,000 in proposed relief for businesses impacted by this summer’s two-week encampment.
Willy Street businesses warn recovery far from over after Madison council rejects relief
The proposed Williamson Street Business Stabilization Support Program would have made money available to as many as 30 businesses directly impacted by the encampment near Williamson and Baldwin streets.
Madison council rejects Willy Street business relief proposal
The proposal was tied to businesses still dealing with the aftermath of the Ruiz shooting.
Hemp THC businesses brace for ban in November, drinks get one month of relief
Hemp companies across Missouri and the nation are rethinking their business plans in anticipation of the federal ban.
HeRAMS Ukraine health services across oblasts August 2026 - All divisions [EN/UK]
Situation Report in English on Ukraine about Health; published on 9 Sep 2026 by WHO
HeRAMS Ukraine health services across oblasts August 2026 - legal entities [EN/UK]
Situation Report in English on Ukraine about Health; published on 9 Sep 2026 by WHO
Altour's Boult: Rising Travel Costs a 'Permanent Phenomenon'
Travel costs will continue rising into 2027, though more slowly than earlier this year, according to the annual GBTA-Altour forecast. Altour chief commercial officer Michael Boult spoke with BTN's Michael B. Baker about the findings, why travel buyers should expect little relief from higher prices in the near term, and why policy might not be the answer.
Geologists reveal the Americas collided millions of years earlier than thought
Volcanic rocks in Colombia are rewriting the timeline of the collision between Central and South America. Their magnetic signatures show that major tectonic deformation had already weakened by the late Miocene, suggesting the most intense collision occurred earlier than previously believed.
Church donates $1.2 million to UNICEF for maternal and newborn health in Pakistan
‘Each mother and child has great worth and infinite potential,’ says Relief Society general president
Business briefs: Hard Rock to host YWCA gala for storm relief on Oct. 8
News and events around the area
"We truly feel this demo will dispel any kinds of uncertainty or concerns that people may have had" - Final Fantasy Resonance Director & Producer on the audience's positive reception after finally being able to play it
Director Hiroto Furuya and Producer Keisuke Nakashima spoke with us the day after the Final Fantasy Resonance demo came out, so we got to chat about their relief at finally being able to release something that people can play for themselves.
Dave Portnoy Sends Defiant Oklahoma Message After Michigan’s Wild Escape
Dave Portnoy needed only a few seconds to go from relief to complete confidence in Michigan.The Barstool Sports founder erupted after Bryce Underwood connected with J.J. Buchanan on a game-winning Hail Mary to give Michigan a stunning 13-12 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday night. The Wolverines needed officials to restore one second to the […] The post Dave Portnoy Sends Defiant Oklahoma Message After Michigan’s Wild Escape appeared first on HEAVY.
Early offense, great relief pitching gives Yankees win over Padres
The bullpen’s four innings of nearly-hitless ball iced out the Dads.
Multipolarity gives middle powers more choices, but fewer guarantees
BRICS, SCO and other organisations can offer relief from great power pressure but do not provide collective defence.
Businesses bracing for potential tariff impact on foliage season
The number of Canadian tourists crossing into Vermont appears to have increased this summer, compared to last year, but not enough to have Upper Valley businesses breathing a sigh of relief. “We’re still hearing that visitorship from Canada is way, way, way, way down,” said Havah Armstrong Walther, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber […]
Pirates' Luke Weaver Dealing With Surprising Health Issue
Pittsburgh Pirates veteran relief pitcher Luke Weaver shared that he has been dealing with a surprising health problem.
Pirates' Luke Weaver Dealing With Surprising Health Issue
Pittsburgh Pirates veteran relief pitcher Luke Weaver shared that he has been dealing with a surprising health problem.
‘They’re our neighbors’: Du Quoin business raises money after devastating downtown fire
Main Street T’s owner Sam Burns is selling “Du Quoin Strong” shirts to benefit the fire relief fund after a massive fire destroyed several downtown businesses.
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
Erie organizations, businesses rally together to help those impacted by storm
Throughout the devastating damage, one positive thing remains true: the people of Erie will always be there for each other. With hundreds of households left without power, organizations across the …
Sonoma County Indian Health Project secures expansion space as large clinic project delayed
Sonoma County Indian Health Project leases new space as temporary relief while the massive Santa Rosa clinic project faces delays.
NKY businesses can apply for up to $10K in storm relief grants
Small businesses in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help cover storm-related needs.
Michigan Supreme Court clears ballot measure restricting business political giving
The court said it was not persuaded to grant injunctive relief sought by a coalition of business groups and companies and Jim Holcomb of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Michigan Supreme Court clears ballot measure restricting business political giving
The court said it was not persuaded to grant injunctive relief sought by a coalition of business groups and companies and Jim Holcomb of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Sherrill accuses Trump of playing politics with New Jersey disaster aid
Gov. Mikie Sherrill accused President Donald Trump of using federal disaster relief to punish political opponents, saying New Jersey taxpayers are being
Blue Jays' Spencer Arrighetti: Takes loss in bulk-relief role
Blue Jays' Spencer Arrighetti: Takes loss in bulk-relief role
Soho Business Alliance opposes Tampa’s flood relief project, proposes alternative
The City of Tampa’s controversial South Howard Flood Relief Project is scheduled to go before city council again later this week.
Small Business Administration to provide relief in Randolph, Saline County following severe weather
Low-interest federal disaster loans will be available to those affected by severe weather in Randolph and Saline Counties last spring.
SoHo neighbors, businesses at odds ahead of $93M flood relief vote
The city of Tampa is preparing to move forward with the South Howard Flood Relief Project, a major infrastructure overhaul designed to address chronic flooding in the South Howard business and residential area.
Health Sector Bulletin August 2026
in English on Syrian Arab Republic; published on 1 Sep 2026 by Health Cluster
Business Owner Charged with Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud Related to COVID Relief Funds
URBANA, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - Hans Lee Grotelueschen, 56, of Mahomet has been charged with allegedly failing to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service and fraud related to Economic
Illinois Quick Hits: Champaign business owner charged with COVID relief fraud
(The Center Square) – A Mahomet man has been charged with fraud and failing to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
Pa. business owner guilty of using COVID money for personal use
A federal jury found a Pennsylvania man guilty of using COVID relief money to buy a house and a vehicle, among other things.
Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices
Hey all, Jason here. When this hits your inbox, I should be en route to the airport — not to go anywhere myself, just to pick up my better half. I must admit, it’s been strange to be home alone (well, with two dogs) for two weeks! Really lets me “optimize” to spending more time on reading/writing/working, whether that’s healthy or not! Looking forward to getting back into a (somewhat) more balance routine. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading Compare Notes With the People Who Built Modern Fintech Partner content: Remitly CEO Sebastian Gunningham. Increase founder Darragh Buckley. Linda Du, Co-founder & President at Valon. They’ll unpack the decisions behind building and scaling major financial products: what they got right, what broke, what they would do differently, and how AI and new infrastructure are changing the operator playbook. Most events tell you where fintech is going. NerdCon puts the people who built the present in the room and asks them what comes next. Expect an operator-led conversation grounded in real products, real trade-offs and lessons earned the hard way. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% on Regular tickets with code FBW20 before standard pricing ends September 11. Meet the Builders Things To Know & Other Good Reads Advent and Stripe Abandon $50 Billion Pursuit of PayPal (Bloomberg) Trump Family’s New Crypto Bank Is Backed by Abu Dhabi Sheikh (Wall Street Journal) The multiplying risks of financing data centres (FT) Let the Bond Market Speak (Wall Street Journal) Did we waste a crisis? Modest proposals to reform deposit insurance. (Fintech Takes Banking) Untangling Guggenheim: How Private Credit Built Its Own Universe (Net Interest) The Hater’s Guide To Circular Financing — Part One (Ed Zitron) Fiat Ventures Rebrands to FGV Capital, Announces $35M Oversubscribed Fund II (BusinessWire) Socure Announces Strategic Growth Investment at $5.2B Valuation and Acquires Agentic Operations Platform Fravity (Socure) Listen: When Consumer Protection Disclosures Work Too Well (Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast) Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices When Andreessen Horowitz led EarnIn’s $39 million Series B in 2017, Alex Rampell, a partner at the storied venture capital firm, described EarnIn’s small-dollar advance product as “free,” relying on “entirely on voluntary contributions instead of fees.” Rampell favorably compared EarnIn’s approach to typical payday loans, writing, “Payday loans historically have had the potential to be a slippery slope for consumers into financial distress: opaque systems and steep fees that are hard to repay and set individuals back further than where they started. For many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, that kind of slide into debt can be extremely difficult to recover from.” But EarnIn’s product — which, the company says, isn’t a “loan,” legally speaking — ends up being anything but free for most users. While it is technically possible to take a no-fee advance from the company, most users incur “Lightning Speed” (instant funding) fees and/or ostensibly optional tips that combined can equate to annualized percent rates that can reach over 1,000%. With an average term of 9.77 days, even fees and tips that are small on an absolute dollar basis are equivalent to high APRs on an annualized basis. A lawsuit filed last week by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser against EarnIn describes the company and its product and business practices quite differently than Andreessen’s Rampell; “EarnIn’s business practices are unfair because they are immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous,” the complaint, filed in District Court in Denver, Colorado, says. EarnIn’s marquee product, Cash Out, isn’t a loan, the company says, as Cash Out is not “[f]orward [l]ooking” because “[t]he money is transferred based on earnings to date,” does not carry a mandatory fee to access funds, and is “non-recourse,” meaning EarnIn cannot pursue recovery from users who don’t repay advanced funds. EarnIn is sometimes referred to as an “Earned Wage Advance” service. Though, unlike some others in the broader category, EarnIn does not integrate with employers’ payroll or time and attendance systems. Rather, EarnIn attempts to verify a user’s income and employment, by examining direct deposit transaction data in their linked external bank account, by using GPS location and Bluetooth data to estimate a user’s time spent at work, if they work in a fixed location, and/or by having a user provided a work email address. While repayment is theoretically optional, as EarnIn would have no recourse, such as reporting non-payment to the credit bureaus or a collections agency, this is anything but clear to users of the EarnIn app, Colorado’s complaint argues. During the process of taking a Cash Out, users must agree to a preauthorized debit of the amount advanced, plus any expedited funding fee and/or tips. Though users technically can revoke this ACH authorization, the fact that they have this right isn’t presented to users during the Cash Out process, but rather is included in linked terms and conditions few users are likely to actually read. And users who do wish to revoke their ACH authorization must do so three or more days before the scheduled transaction date by emailing EarnIn’s customer support. Similarly, EarnIn’s marketing claims that it carries “no interest” and “no mandatory fees” is technically true, but is not the reality for many of the app’s users, the Colorado complaint argues. Further, EarnIn has extensively marketed to users the ability to “access your pay today,” to get “instant” funds, and to get funds “the same day you work” — when, in reality, this speed of access was only possible by paying the additional, undisclosed Lightning Speed fee. The Colorado complaint highlights this contradiction specifically, noting: EarnIn tells consumers that they can ‘Make any day payday with EarnIn’ and that there no ‘hidden’ or ‘mandatory fees.’ For a consumer to access their pay on the same day requested, they would have to pay the Lightning Speed fee. In the fine print of the advertisement EarnIn discloses that ‘[f]ees apply to use Lightning Speed,’ a direct contradiction to the larger text of the advertisement, and a fact that would not be immediately understood by a consumer as ‘Lightning Speed’ is not defined nor explained. Like other small-dollar lending services, rather than explicitly charge interest, EarnIn collects a markup on the optional Lighting Speed fee, which, given the nature of the transactions, many users opt for, as well as offering users the option to leave “tips.” EarnIn leverages either Real-Time Payments (RTP) rails or push-to-card via debit rails if a user opts for the optional Lightning Speed. But while these capabilities cost EarnIn, on average, $0.075 or $0.20 per transaction, respectively, EarnIn charges users significantly more. Initially, EarnIn charged as little as $1.99 for Cash Outs up to $24. But EarnIn has hiked these fees multiple times, and now charges $4.99 for Cash Outs up to $75 and $6.99 for those over $75. According to the Colorado complaint, EarnIn leverages “dark patterns” to manipulate users and to make it more difficult to avoid tipping. Examples of these “road blocks” highlighted in the complaint include: As of 2023, in the EarnIn app, a consumer attempting to get a loan under the default settings had to make at least eighteen separate taps to complete the transaction and reduce the tip to $0. There is an alternative method to leave a $0 tip, via the “Custom tip” feature, but EarnIn made this option difficult to access by visually deemphasizing it and positioning it near devices’ “home” button. Using language and imagery such as “Tip to pay it forward,” “Your generosity supports the service + helps,” “Your tips make a difference,” and “[t]he APR for this cash out is 0%. Your tips help support us.” While Lightning Speed and tipping are, in theory, both optional, in practice, users nearly always ended up paying something. According to the Colorado suit, users were charged either a tip or an expedite fee for more than 92% of transactions, with an average APR of nearly 388%. And, although the advances are “non-recourse,” EarnIn successfully collects on nearly all transactions — 99.18%, according to the complaint, which, Colorado argues, “demonstrat[es] that EarnIn’s advances function as high cost loans, not voluntary payments.” The share of EarnIn users incurring fees — despite the product being marketed as 0% APR — is hard to reconcile with Andreessen investor Rampell’s favorable description of EarnIn vs. “opaque systems and steep fees” associated with payday loans, which, Rampell says, can be “extremely difficult” for borrowers to extricate themselves from. According to Colorado’s suit, EarnIn’s Cash Out product “trapped many consumers in extreme cycles of high-cost reborrowing.” The suit gives an example of one consumer in the state, who took out a whopping 1,151 loans, paying a total of $4,038.50 in Lightning Speed expedited funding fees on loans that averaged the equivalent of 1,421% APR. Another Colorado user, the suit says, took out 1,033 loans, paying $8,561.22 in tips and fees at an average APR of 1,539% . These types of usage patterns demonstrate “the severe and repeated financial harm caused by EarnIn’s illegal lending model,” the Colorado complaint argues. In aggregate, from January 2023 through July 2025, EarnIn extended 3.1 million loans to 56,778 users in Colorado — an average of nearly 55 transactions per person during the time period. EarnIn lent more than $300 million and collected more than $16 million from Colorado users in Lightning Speed fees and in tips. Ultimately, the Colorado complaint argues that “EarnIn’s Cash Outs are loans under Colorado law, and EarnIn’s contention that its product is not a loan based on its disclaimer of any legal repayment obligation lacks any real-world significance given how the Cash Out transactions actually operate in practice.” Colorado further argues that “EarnIn was not working with companies here in providing consumers with funds but acted as a third-party lender and charged illegally high rates, used deceptive design strategies to extract some charges, and trapped consumers in repeat borrowing. Colorado will continue to stand up for consumers and hold companies accountable when they violate our credit laws or attempt to evade them through misleading practices.” Colorado’s suit alleges EarnIn assesses finance charge in excess of that permitted by Colorado law, that EarnIn failed to make legally required disclosures to Colorado borrowers, that EarnIn made supervised loans to consumers without obtaining the requisite license, that EarnIn violated the state’s Deferred Deposit Loan Act, that EarnIn engage in unfair and deceptive trade practices, and that EarnIn made false or misleading statements concerning price. The suit seeks a court order enjoining EarnIn from violating relevant Colorado laws, for EarnIn to refund amounts charged in excess of state law, fees, costs, and penalties, and other relief the court deems to be just. 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. Q2 Quarterly Banking Profile: Five Quick Takeaways The FDIC released its quarterly banking profile, which is always worth a read, for the second quarter. The profile provides an aggregate snapshot about the overall health of the 4,238 institutions whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, who, collectively, hold more than $26 trillion in assets and saw a total net income of more than $90 billion in the second quarter. Net income was up 12% vs. Q1 2026, with lower provisions and realized gains on securities helping to drive the improvement, somewhat offset by increases in non-interest expense and applicable income taxes. Overall net interest margin was basically flat quarter over quarter (up 1 basis point vs. Q1 2026), though community banks saw NIM grow by 10 basis points, to 3.81%. Unsurprisingly, given that interest rates haven’t changed, unrealized losses on securities changed little, edging up slightly to $326.7 billion vs. $325.1 billion in Q1 2026. Aggregate credit quality has remained benign, with asset quality actually improving slightly in Q2. Overall, institutions reported a 9 basis point decline in their past-due and non-accrual rate, to 1.44%. Net charge off rate also declined by 2 basis points, to 0.57%. And finally, the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund stands at $161.1 billion, making the DIF reserve ratio 1.48% — above the statutory minimum of 1.35%, but still below the designated target reserve ratio of 2%. [Paid Subscriber Exclusive] Nissan Withdraws ILC App, State Associations Plan BankChain Alliance, FDIC Defines “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” For First Time Automaker Nissan withdrew its application to charter a Utah industrial loan company and its corresponding application to the FDIC for deposit insurance last week, on August 19th. Nissan’s application had been outstanding for more than a year, as it originally applied in June 2025. Recent applications to the OCC to form national banks have been decisioned, one way or the other, substantially more quickly than has historically been the case.
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Gov. Reeves Announces Investment In Mental Health Services For Mississippi Youth » Office of Governor Tate Reeves
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Türkiye: Health Sector Dashboard - National - July 2026
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Maker of Clear Eyes Recalls Nearly 40,000 Bottles Over Contamination Risk
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Analysis: Huge relief for Maresca's City
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SBA Offers Relief to Small Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by the Pocket Fire
Congressman Eli Crane
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Debris Management in Gaza - Standard Operating Procedure: Health and Safety in Debris Removal and Recycling — Interim Guidance (August 2026)
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Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Indianapolis Colts donate $250,000 to flood relief effort in central Indiana
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Indianapolis Colts and Pacers Sports and Entertainment donate 250K for flood relief
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Giants Get Encouraging Update on Adames’ Back Injury
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National Science Foundation reverses $1 million cut to CU Boulder quantum center
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