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Bottled Water Business Owner Appeals Detention in Trinidad Over Alleged PM Assassination Plot
July 7 (Reuters) - Business executive Dominic Hadeed and his wife Genevieve filed an appeal on Tuesday against their detention over an alleged plot to assassinate top members of the Trinidadian government, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Hadeed, who owns the Trinidad and ...
Explaining The Comcast and NBCUniversal Divorce
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July in America, celebrating the country’s 250th birthday. Frankly, I am bummed the 250th wasn’t a bigger celebration, but that’s a different topic for a different Substack. While it was generally a quiet week on the entertainment/streaming/media business fronts, we still had some interesting news stories. Actually, that kinda undersells one of the stories, a huge, huge, huge divestment that could upend the entertainment landscape... So let’s get right to it. In today’s column, I’ll cover Comcast spinning off the rest of NBCUniversal, an entertainment company investing in an LLM company and an LLM-owner investing in a movie studio, the latest round of threats of digital tariffs, and more. Let’s dive in. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Most: Comcast/NBCU Breakup!!!! If I had to describe my reaction to Comcast spinning out NBCUniversal, it feels like a relationship ending, either breaking up or divorcing. Comcast’s decision to spin off the rest of NBCUniversal, after spinning off some of its cable assets into Versant last year, really does feel like a family breaking up under “irreconcilable differences”. Of my stereotypes of the entertainment moguls, my go-to for Comcast CEO Brian Roberts—heir to the Comcast fortune, but a man who’s been at the helm for 24 years now, and president for twelve years before that—is that he likes building empires. He cut his teeth acquiring cable rivals in the 1990s and tried to buy Disney repeatedly, then settled for NBCUniversal after a long court battle. (Contrast this with Rupert Murdoch, a man who also loved to buy, but would also sell when the price is right. Murdoch made Fox out of nothing, but then sold 20th Century Fox to Disney, arguably at the top of the market. So I understood why he sold.) But I don’t understand Roberts’ motivation to sell now. I have some explanations but no single, super-satisfying explanation. Strategically, it would just make more sense to have kept NBCUniversal in-house, especially for a one-time empire builder like Comcast. Yet one powerful force—arguably the decider in modern capitalism—likely overwhelmed all other considerations. At first, I thought I’d arrange my thoughts as a “Five Why” analysis, digging through each layer of the puzzle. But instead, I found myself asking, “But…why?” (And I only ended up with four sections.) So let’s look at Comcast from that angle. Then, at the end, I’ll give my biggest strategic recommendation for every company in Hollywood. It’s obvious, but sometimes, the obvious strategy is the most ignored. But…Why? The Stock Market, Conglomerations, and Sum of the Parts Analysis We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Why Comcast could never get a “tech company” valuation The not-so-secret motivation for Comcast What Versant has to do with all of this The key strategic advice I think every entertainment exec should follow (though it’s really obvious) Some big AI investment news… Whether we’ll see digital tariffs… And more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Downtown Columbia business owners petition for an urban camping ordinance
KRCG offers coverage of news, sports, weather and local events in the Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri area, including the communities of New Bloomfield, Shaw, Boonville, Ashland, Hallsville, Sturgeon, Centralia, Mexico, Auxvasse, Fulton, California, Tipton, Eldon, Wardsville, Westphalia and Sedalia, Missouri.
Build EBR launches facade improvement program for Plank Road businesses
Build EBR is introducing a new grant initiative designed to help small businesses and commercial property owners enhance the appearance of properties along the Plank Road corridor. Funded through the JPMorgan Chase AdvancingCities Grant, the Front Door Refresh Facade Improvement Program is the final implementation initiative tied to the Reimagine Plank Road Master Plan and […]
Gillette Chamber of Commerce reflects on 70 years of business growth, community support
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Gillette Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 70 years of helping local businesses connect, grow and succeed in the community. The Chamber was started in 1956 by a group of local business owners. Today, the organization works as a link between businesses and local, county and state leaders. CEO Gail Loafing said […]
Iconic Cowboy Maloney's acquired by O'Shaughnessy Holding Company
After 74 years of family ownership, the iconic Mississippi retailer Cowboy Maloney's has been sold to a new firm.
Rogers to Become 100% Owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Rogers Communications Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire the remaining 25% ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) from Kilmer Sports Inc. for C$4.35 billion, bringing Rogers'...
Key Bridge collapse: Baltimore, business owners fight Dali owners’ bid to limit liability
Baltimore, Baltimore County, and a business coalition are pushing back against the owners and operators of the Dali.
How some Hill Country businesses affected by July 4 flooding are pushing forward
Steve Edelstein is the owner of the Ingram Dam Shopping Center. All of the businesses there were washed away by last July's flooding. Now, he's nearing a return to business normalcy.
A Business Owner Paid Himself a Low Salary for Decades to Save on Taxes. The Trade-Off Shows Up Now, in a Smaller Social Security Check, and Selling the Company Won’t Fix It.
A 66-year-old business owner running an S-corporation for decades is planning his exit. A buyer is circling, and he expects the sale to fund retirement. When it came time for him to request his Social Security statement, the projected monthly benefit was lower than expected. Friends with W-2 careers and similar lifestyles were getting noticeably ... A Business Owner Paid Himself a Low Salary for Decades to Save on Taxes. The Trade-Off Shows Up Now, in a Smaller Social Security Check, and Selling
Nature becomes entertainment at award-winning outdoor CT dining spot. Owner calls it ‘oasis.’
The outdoor area, high in demand this time of year and shaded, has three levels: a deck, a patio and the grassy area closest to the river
Jenkins would leave Newport if best for club
Newport County owner Huw Jenkins is prepared to sell up and walk away from the club if a new investor sought a complete takeover.
Richmond business owner speaks on impact of train derailment
A Richmond business owner is sharing his perspective on how Friday’s train derailment is impacting those in the surrounding area.
Grand Avenue redevelopment project leaves Escondido small businesses reeling
Kettle on Grand Owner Givino Rossini says the city's Grand Avenue project cost him thousands of dollars after receiving only one week's notice before construction began.
Glenwood South businesses frustrated over weekend chaos: 'Do not care'
Several small business owners on or around Glenwood South are frustrated by the chaos that erupted this past weekend.
Power outages from storms force Carroll County businesses to close
Several Sykesville, Maryland, business owners had to close shop early Monday or remain closed due to a lack of power from the weekend's storms.
Rogers agrees to take 100% ownership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Rogers Communications Inc. is moving to take full control of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment after reaching a $4.35 billion agreement to buy the remaining 25% stake held by Kilmer...
'It's gone,' business owner heartbroken after storm destroys building, damages Abilene
Sunday storms brought lots of damage to the Big Country, especially in Abilene...
Rally planned at Hing Hay Park to draw World Cup fans to Chinatown-International District
With one FIFA World Cup match remaining in Seattle, business owners in the Chinatown-International District are making one final push to draw in global soccer fans as the neighborhood has struggled with sales.
Chapel Hill business thankful for community’s help after Tropical Storm Chantal
One year since Tropical Storm Chantal ripped through Chapel Hill, a small business owner continues to be thankful for the community’s support.
Bucks confirm Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. trade to Heat
“From delivering a championship to transforming our franchise, Giannis’ impact on the Milwaukee Bucks is lasting and profound,” said Bucks owners in a release.
Downriver business owner has passionate message for DTE Energy
A Downriver restaurant owner is criticizing DTE Energy for rate hikes and poor response to recent power outages.
Organic Remedies Announces Employees Now Have Ownership in the Business
CARLISLE, Pa., July 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organic Remedies’ Chief Executive Officer Mark Toigo today announced the company will transitio...
Business Monday: Big Island companies continue to recover from Kona low storms and earthquake
With the completion of property damage assessments from South Kona’s magnitude 6 earthquake that struck on May 22, Hawai‘i County officials now are waiting for Gov. Josh Green’s decision about whether he will file for a presidential disaster declaration that will help individuals and business owners secure funding for repairs.
OAQDA relaunches Small Business Clean Air Program
The program focuses on owner-operated small businesses in Ohio.
Rogers Nearing Full Ownership Of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Rogers is buying Kilmer Sports' 25 percent stake in MLSE for $4.35 billion Cdn. That means Rogers is about to become the full owner of the company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs and other sports franchises.
As Small Business Owners Retire, Worker Cooperatives Could Help Close Wealth Gap » NCRC
Learn more about NCRC member Cooperative Fund of the Northeast (CFNE)'s work in collaboration with nonprofit developers the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) and ICA Group helping business owners in the Northeast through the business conversion process and supporting employees as they become new owners.
Rogers signs agreement to become 100 percent owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
What does Rogers' full ownership mean for the Maple Leafs and Raptors?
Rogers signs agreement to become 100 percent owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
What does Rogers' full ownership mean for the Maple Leafs and Raptors?
Rogers to Become 100% Owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Signs agreement to buy Kilmer Sports 25% ownership stake in MLSE New global sports and entertainment powerhouse will deliver more for fans and customers TORONTO, July 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc. announced today it has signed an agreement to buy the remaining 25% ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) from Kilmer Sports Inc. for C$4.35 billion, increasing Rogers ownership in MLSE to 100%. “This is a defining moment for Rogers. Our full ownership of
Inside the $85 million private jet that made one of Africa’s richest billionaires the owner of the world’s fastest business jet
Months after entering service, Bombardier’s Global 8000 has arrived in Africa, with one of Nigeria’s most powerful industrialists becoming its first customer on the continent in a move that flexes both aviation ambition and billionaire financial muscle, especially for a buyer who already owns two other Bombardier jets
Succession does not mean you leave the business - Chicago Agent Magazine Top Coach
For many founders, owners and high-performing leaders, the word “succession” carries an uncomfortable weight.
OnePlus is reportedly dodging EU warranty claims with useless vouchers, and owners aren't happy
EU OnePlus owners say the company won't honor warranties after clearing out stock, handing out vouchers that aren't worth anything.
Club XYZ nixed liquidation to sell bar assets to new tenant, owner says
The owner of Club XYZ canceled a liquidation sale after selling the Knoxville gay bar's equipment to the incoming Happy Holler business.
Valve updates SteamOS to improve your WiFi download speeds, and it's available on Steam Deck with a couple of caveats
Valve has rolled out a small update to SteamOS, including to owners of a Steam Deck.
$15M HVAC firm finds a buyer
It can be tricky. But going from solo ownership to being an employee-owned business, an air conditioning company founder recently learned, has some cool benefits.
Sky owner strikes £1.6bn deal to buy ITV broadcasting in ‘rapidly changing’ media landscape
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Meet the founder betting Africa's next entertainment giant will be built on ownership, not just storytelling
The worlds biggest entertainment companies arent valuable because they make great films or television
Free ‘Finding Financing for Your Small Business’ workshop coming to Carbondale July 16
Champion Community Investments will host a free workshop in Carbondale for entrepreneurs and small business owners on July 16.
Douglas police arrest suspect linked to multiple business burglaries
The Douglas Police Department arrested a suspect following burglaries at two businesses, according to police. The first incident occurred July 4 at a business on South Peterson Avenue. Officers responded to an alarm after the business owner reported seeing a suspect on surveillance cameras attempting to force entry into the building.
FEATURE: Who will inherit Japan? Aging owners fuel new era of business succession
Like thousands of other Japanese business owners, Kisshokichi founder Kiyomi Akagi, who built one of the world's largest certified Kobe beef chains, faced the challenge of succession. To ensure his company's future, he sold a majority stake in the business.
Arkansas newspapers undergo reboot as ownership changes revitalize industry
For the past 20 years, Ashley Wimberley has seen a newspaper industry thrive, decline, transform yet struggle into the digital age, fight new legislative battles, and renew hopes for the...
As higher airfares and gas prices make vacations ‘crazy expensive,’ small business owners say Americans are staying closer to home this summer
“This summer, we’re still doing a couple overnights and the lake house, but nothing else.”
Roob's Eagles Observations: Bryce Huff's hilariously misguided memory of 2024
Why Jeff Lurie is the best owner in Philadelphia sports history, Bryce blaming everyone but himself and more in Roob's Eagles Observations.
Hideo Kojima ‘really sad’ about PlayStation killing discs, ‘frightened’ for future of ownership
The Death Stranding director has reacted to PlayStation going all-digital…
Inside a family business empire’s bitter legal battle with its former chief financial officer
The Davis Family, whose ownership of Cambria, Davisco Foods and Sun Country Airlines have made them business icons in Minnesota, are suing their longtime CFO. He’s countersuing. Tens of millions of dollars are at stake.
Business owners near the FIFA Fan Festival prepared for crowds. Not all saw them.
Business is down at some restaurants in Brewerytown, where some owners say temporary parking restrictions are scaring regulars away.
Kojima Mourns the Death of PlayStation Discs in 2028, but Warns Cloud Gaming Is the Real Nightmare Ahead
Kojima laments the end of PlayStation discs in 2028 and warns that cloud gaming could be an even bigger threat to the future of game ownership
It's Your Business | Hot new workout coming to south Champaign
Renovations have just begun for a Hotworx fitness studio at 2108 S. Neil St. in Champaign, and franchise owner Camille Groves hopes to open the location at the end of
'You feel targeted': Cascade Locks business owner speaks out after burglary
Cascade Locks’ Brigham Fish Market is asking for help ID’ing a suspect seen on video breaking in at 3:49 a.m.
Sad? Relieved? Watch Hill business owners react to Swift's NYC wedding
Some merchants had looked forward to the business a Watch Hill wedding would bring, while others had been worried about the inevitable disruptions.
The Steam Machine Has Its Own ‘Red Ring Of Death’
History doesn’t always repeat itself, but it often rhymes, as one Steam Machine owner discovered a familiar fatal error alert
Sapp’s Diesel & Truck Center builds business on family, faith, and ‘Quality Without Compromise’
Sapps Diesel & Truck Center is not the kind of place owner Brock Sapp wants people to find only after they have been everywhere else. Located at 1955 Old Register Way in Statesboro, the family-owned truck repair shop specializes in light-duty diesel
How Buc-ee's mania is affecting a nearby Goodyear business
Ass Kickin’ products was founded in downtown Glendale in 1986 by the owner, Jeff Jacobs, manufacturing a few barbeque and hot sauces. He met his wife, Linda, who took on the business with him.
Pyro, Patrón and pork: Metro Detroiters stock up for country's 250th
Some area business owners say they've especially seen a surge in customers this year, ahead of the country's 250th birthday.
Superyacht designers reveal biggest trends among billionaire owners
Vripack's Marnix Hoekstra and Bart Bouwhuis design luxury superyachts for billionaires. Popular asks include high-end offices and gyms.
Gamers push back: 71% say they’re not ready to let physical games die as PlayStation and Xbox move toward a digital-only future”
Our community has spoken, and 71% say physical games still matter. Here's why ownership and consumer choice remain major concerns.
MRN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT — Sheryl Scarbrough, TCBY
Today on Business Spotlight, brought to you by Bank of Springfield, Crissie Caccamo sits down with Sheryl Scarbrough, owner and operator of TCBY Quincy. Did you know TCBY stands for The Country’s Best Yogurt? As the Quincy favorite celebrates 40 years of serving the community, Sheryl shares the story behind the business, the legacy her...
Surviving since Lincoln: How six generations beat the small business curse
Sixth-generation owner Alex Bassett Strange leads a Philadelphia ice cream business that has survived 165 years with new flavors and global exports.
The Founder Who Got Fired for Ignoring His Own Return-to-Office Rules
The former executive alleges his fellow co-owners used the policy as an excuse to push him out of the asset-management firm he helped run.
Boca Raton salon owner asks for help after fire destroys business
Boca Raton salon owner asks for help after fire destroys business
Business Briefs: July 2026
Fallen Tree Breaks New Ground with Wine Wins In the tasting room of Fallen Tree Vineyard, co-owner Matt Hales offered a glass of petit manseng. He’d just been manning the kitchen, his wife Lisa overseeing the front of the house, and out on the lawn a small crew of workers built the foundation of a
Naks Pan is a new salt bread business on Oʻahu
The home bakery specializes in shio pan, or salt bread, and cream pan. The Japanese bread rolls are available in a variety of flavors, while the cream pan…
Small businesses say they're having a good summer as Americans travel closer to home
Small business owners in U.S. tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer
Fireworks stand owner says tariffs have impacted business
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A local fireworks stand saw fewer customers heading into the holiday weekend as tariffs continue to impact business. The owner of Boomerz Fireworks on Marketplace Drive said tariffs have affected their business. The Supreme Court struck down global tariffs in February, but fireworks stands are feeling the impact this year because many […]
Taste of Italy owner and wife owe over $377K in unpaid taxes
The Latham restaurant, owned by Frank Cappello, owes over $300K in unpaid taxes, with 17 active warrants against the restaurant, its corporations and its owners.
West Hartford Business Owner Released From ICE Custody
Sead (Seyo) Cecunjanin, the West Hartford resident and business owner who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last week was released Thursday and returned to West Hartford.
West Hartford business owner taken by ICE released
ICE agents reportedly drew guns and arrested Cecunjanin June 20 at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Park Road without warning.
West Hartford business owner released from ICE custody, according to Sen. Blumenthal
A West Hartford business owner was released from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being detained last month, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Friday.
National Federation of Independent Business releases June Jobs Report
Small business hiring ticked up in June, but owners still struggled to find qualified workers as compensation pressures eased.
Zeeland Street owner says fresh food aided recovery: ‘I had to kick Mr. Cancer to the curb.’
Zeeland Street owner Stephanie Phares shares her journey of battling Stage 3 lung cancer while continuing to run her beloved Baton Rouge restaurant. "It kept me with a routine. There was no time to feel fearful or scared," she said.
Valley Golf Center owners say it's been an 'honor' as business closes
KMPH Fox 26 is the Central Valley's news leader, covering Fresno, California and the surrounding area, including Clovis, Madera, Hanford, Visalia, Biola, Kerman, Tranquillity, San Joaquin, Reedley, Coalinga, Avenal, Lemoore, Tulare, Selma, Caruthers, Tollhouse, Three Rivers, Porterville, and Merced.
Popular Windsor egg farm exits egg business amid hard times for small farms
Tiffany Holbrook, co-owner at Wise Acre Farm, announced this week that the farm shut down its local egg operations and will move to a new location in Sonoma County to focus on meat production. She said the realities and costs of running the…
VivoPower Reinforces Focus on AI Data Center Business and Provides Update on Non-Core Businesses
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower PLC (NASDAQ: VIVO) (“VivoPower” or the “Company”), a B Corp-certified global developer and owner of powered land and data center infrastructure for AI compute applications, today provides the following update in respect of its strategic direction and the previously announced separation initiatives relating to its subsidiaries Tembo e-LV B.V. (“Tembo”) and Caret Digital (“Caret Digital”). Following a strategic review, the Board o
Small Business Owners Need Wider Adviser Support, per Voya
More than 90% of small business owners surveyed said advisers should be equipped to help with employee retention.
New owners of One Canal Place declare bankruptcy just over 2 months after $28M acquisition
The New York brothers behind a network of for-profit summer camps and a complex web of corporations and are now under investigation by Israeli authorities.
Portland to consider removing zoning rule that limits entertainment licenses
Could the removal of a 30-year-old zoning rule lead to more activity in downtown Portland? Some business owners hope so.
Rhode Island Marijuana Officials Ask Judge To Remove Block On Business Licenses Now That Rules Targeted By Lawsuit Have Changed
“We’re hopeful that once we get the go-ahead with the appropriate people that we can get the process moving again.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current Now that Rhode Island has eliminated the residency requirement for recreational pot shop owners, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission is asking a federal judge to undo the court order […]
4 Business Essentials You Can’t Ignore If You Want to Be a Successful Entrepreneur
Here are four critical business essentials every owner should have in place no matter the size or type of business they have.
At 71, I've worked in my family's 120-year-old business since 12.
Michael Petri is the majority owner of his family's 120-year-old plumbing business. Now 71, he has worked there since 12 when he first helped his dad.
Accel Entertainment (ACEL) After Russell 2000 Exit Has Undervaluation Back In Focus
Index removal puts Accel Entertainment back in focus Accel Entertainment (ACEL) was recently removed from the Russell 2000 Dynamic Index, an event that can influence institutional ownership patterns, index tracking fund flows, and short term trading activity around the stock. See our latest analysis for Accel Entertainment. Against that backdrop, Accel Entertainment’s recent share price moves have been mixed, with a 1-day share price return of 1.27% but a 7-day share price return that...
SF grant program fills empty neighborhood storefronts
Latest round provided support to nearly 40 local business owners.
TPS decision causing uncertainty for Haitian business owners
While the legal battle over ending protections for Haitians continues, uncertainty is growing at area businesses in Springfield
TPS decision causing uncertainty for Haitian business owners
While the legal battle over ending protections for Haitians continues, uncertainty is growing at area businesses in Springfield
OpenAI proposes 5% stake to Trump administration to ease Washington pressure: report
Trump said in June that the U.S. taking an ownership stake in AI giants would be "a beautiful thing" and make American public "partners in this revolution."
CID businesses voice frustration over lack of foot traffic, safety during World Cup
“The rest of downtown is benefiting. We are not. So, enough is enough,” one business owner said.
Owners of Society Hotel put historic Old Town property on the market
Because the hotel is independently operated, the listing says, new owners could easily keep it as a boutique hotel or convert it into apartments.
SF Now Has 30 Boozy ‘Entertainment Zones,’ Which Are Also Boosting Local Businesses
Bar and restaurant owners in neighborhoods with active entertainment zones — where alcohol can be sold and consumed in public during street festivals or other designated events — say the zones have contributed to a significant boost in sales.
Opelika business owners arrested on hemp product charges
Two Opelika business owners have been arrested following a joint investigation into alleged illegal operations at several local vape and CBD businesses, the Opelika Police Department said.
Reflecting on a Year as Athlon Sports' Senior Golf Writer: Lessons from Golf's Stories
One year ago today, I officially began my run as Senior Golf Writer for Athlon Sports. By the time this opportunity arrived, I had already spent nearly three decades in golf as a PGA Professional, coach, educator, business owner, nonprofit founder and writer. The biggest lesson from my first year with Athlon Sports was not about deadlines, access or the volume of stories written.
Immigrant-owned small businesses take center stage at pop-up storefront in Philadelphia's Market East
The Welcoming Center has opened a pop-up storefront for immigrant small business owners.
CID Business Owners Call Neighborhood a 'Human Dumping Ground'
CID business owners say the World Cup is hurting their Seattle neighborhood. One advocate says Mayor Wilson has turned the CID into a 'human dumping ground.
Are your kids already bored this summer? Here’s a new entertainment option.
Sky Zone of Wichita is “an indoor trampoline amusement park,” as one of its owners put it, and is having a soft opening starting July 10.
Are your kids already bored this summer? Here’s a new entertainment option.
Sky Zone of Wichita is “an indoor trampoline amusement park,” as one of its owners put it, and is having a soft opening starting July 10.
U-M’s Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project leans into AI to support small businesses
In the last 10 years, the program has expanded significantly. In addition to consulting projects, DNEP now offers accounting assistance, community technology support, AI workshops and specialized programming office on helping business owners strengthen their financial and digital skills.
Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Season Preview
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has repeatedly said he would write an “embarrassing” check to win another Super Bowl. Since 2013, the Cowboys have not participated in the first wave of free agency. Despite Jones’ vow to “bust the budget” in the 2026 offseason, the Cowboys again stood pat for most of free agency.
US cooking oil market shrinking due to Ice pressures on Latino households, Mazola owner says
Economic squeeze and anti-immigration raids have hit Hispanic communities, prompting people to shop online and reuse oil
Sony will cease production of discs for new PlayStation games in 2028
New games sold for PlayStation consoles will only be available digitally and won’t be sold on discs effective January 2028, Sony has announced. The move applies to all PlayStation games released from that point on, including those made by Sony and those released by third parties. The PlayStation group calls the change “a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” according to a PlayStation blog post reviewed by Game File in advance of its publication. As movies, TV and music have shifted from physical media to an age of downloads and streaming, Sony’s move could speed the demise of physical media in a gaming. The industry has offered consumers games via cartridges, cassettes, floppy discs, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays across a 50-year stretch. Sony has been reporting to investors in recent years that PlayStation games have been increasingly purchased as downloads, not as discs. The most recent figures show nearly four in five purchases of full games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were purchased digitally in the past year. Stats like that may cause today’s news to carry an air of the inevitable. But Sony’s declaration for 2028 is still likely to produce a shock, as the biggest gaming platform on the planet that uses game discs leaves them behind. Discs going away, but the fate of game boxes is unknown Sony is committing to still selling games in physical retailers even after they drop discs in 2028. Just how those games will be sold—in boxes with codes inside, as cards marked with digital redemption codes—is unclear. Digital games will also continue to be sold in the online PlayStation Store. New games released for PlayStation consoles prior to January 2028 will be unaffected by the policy change, Sony says. That means the PS5 games of 2027, be they a new Madden, a new God of War, a new Call of Duty, a new Sly Cooper (one can dream?), would still potentially be offered on disc. PlayStation 6 implications Sony’s timeline for a transition to a no-disc era will also spin up more speculation about the timing and configuration of Sony’s next-generation console, the probable PlayStation 6. “This pretty much guarantees that PS6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest,” Piers Harding-Rolls, senior games research analyst at Ampere Analysis tells Game File. Harding-Rolls also concludes from today’s news that “the base version of a PS6 will not include a physical media drive,” as Sony looks to keep costs down on the device. Sony itself is saying nothing about the PS6 today: not its timing, nor how it might or might not support internal or external disc drives in order to run disc-based PS4 and PS5 games, should the console be backwards compatible. The many signs this was coming Industry support for games being released on physical media has been waning. As has consumer interest in them. PC games effectively went all-digital years ago, thanks to the popularity of playing games through Steam and other digital storefronts. The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that kept much of the global population home helped shift shopping patterns toward downloads. Sony’s own data shows PlayStation game downloads being an uncommon consumer choice a decade ago and now becoming the norm. On consoles, physical media has been in such decline that Sony and Microsoft both launched their current gen Xbox Series and PS5 consoles in 2020 with cheaper versions that lacked disc drives. In early 2024, Phil Spencer, then head of Xbox, told me that ““[w]e ship games physically and digitally, and we’re really just following what the customers are doing.” He added that the game industry had become an outlier in still supporting disc-based entertainment, even as movies and TV have bailed on discs in favor of downloads and steaming: “Gaming consoles themselves have kind of become the last consumer electronic device that has a drive. And this is a real issue, just in terms of the number of manufacturers that are actually building drives and the cost associated with those. And when you think about cogs that we’re going to go put in a console—and as you have fewer suppliers and fewer buyers—the cost of the drive does have an impact.” Last year, the Nintendo’s Switch 2, which uses cartridges rather than discs, introduced the concept of game-key cards, which are physical media that contain no game, just a prompt for a download. Even disc-based games aren’t what they once were, now frequently containing just stubs of games rather than the whole thing. The website Does It Play has tested over 3000 games and found that, for example, that the disc version of this year’s hit 007: First Light, only contained the game’s first mission, with the rest needing to be downloaded. Beyond all that, last week brought the news that Grand Theft Auto VI, likely the biggest game launch this decade, will debut for PS5 and Xbox Series without a disc-based version. Today’s big news comes to you for free. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and ensure more of my work is possible, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Discs helped define PlayStation However the trends in entertainment may be going, it is still remarkable to see PlayStation ditch discs given their importance in PlayStation history: In the late 1990s, the first PlayStation’s support for games on relatively cheap CD-ROMs instead of traditional game cartridges allowed the upstart console to outmaneuver cartridge-based systems from Nintendo and Sega, as it drove down game prices down in the process. (The cheaper disc format even prompted Final Fantasy VII maker Square to taunt Nintendo in a magazine ad, saying that if the game was “available on cartridge, it’d retail for around $1200.”) PlayStation devices often doubled as machines for watching movies and TV on the latest disc-based formats. In the late 2000s, for example, Sony’s pricy PS3 gained traction as a go-to device for playing then-novel Blu-Ray discs. In 2013, Sony effectively roasted the digital game-sharing restrictions proposed by rival Microsoft for its upcoming Xbox One console by showing how games could be shared for the then-upcoming PS4. In a 21-second clip that has over 20 million views on YouTube, one PlayStation executive simply handed a game box—presumably with disc inside—to another, who said “thanks.” Sony’s possible motivations The PlayStation announcement today cites “consumer preferences” and a shift away from discs among “the broader entertainment industry,” but does not delve into the decision-making process that brought Sony to this point. Sony is not discussing the economics of this move (I asked!), but there are a number of potential factors: Abandoning discs will spare Sony the cost of manufacturing and shipping them, which analysts and industry veterans I spoke to said could account for $1 or so of a game’s retail price. For first-party games, that’s direct savings for Sony, though the amount is limited by the winnowing percentage of people who were even buying the disc-based versions. For third-party games, Sony could pass the savings on to partners or just retain the better profit margin for themselves. As the 2024 comments from Phil Spencer alluded to, leaving discs behind could mean leaving disc-drives behind, allowing Sony to produce consoles more cheaply. Switching to digital-only for games could diminish the risks of copies of new games leaking. It would also seemingly make second-hand sales of used games impossible, pushing more people to buy their own copies of games. These economic benefits for Sony could be boons for the games industry overall, Ampere analyst Piers Harding-Rolls tells Game File. Among other things, it could free publishers and retailers from having to worry about securing an inventory of game discs when trying to sell games, he noted. “If there is a way to streamline the business of games retail, I generally think it’s a good thing for the industry as it removes unnecessary costs,” Harding-Rolls said. “This will help offset pressure on margins from other directions – development and staffing costs for example.” Should the industry shift from game boxes that contain discs to smaller, cheaper game cards, Harding-Rolls said, that reduces pressure on publishers and retailers. “The advantage of everything going digital for the industry is that sales can be tracked much more easily and there is less commercial risk for publishers wanting to continue selling via retail,” he said. The shift to no discs will also likely impact game development timelines, as developers will no longer face the same urgency to have a build ready to submit to PlayStation for the production of a disc, as industry experts noted around GTA VI’s no-disc news last week. Instead, projects may gain weeks of development time, in the event delivery deadlines for platform approval move closer to release date. Preservationists’ likely worries While millions of gamers have shifted to digital, there are still people who associate game discs—and only game discs—with actual ownership of PlayStation games. That portion of the gaming community spoke up last week about wanting to buy a version of GTA VI that they could hold in their hands, could lend to a friend and could potentially pop into a well-preserved PS5 console three decades from now and still see it run. Such gamers didn’t want to worry that they’d merely purchased a digital copy that could lose access to the game if, say, the company behind the game someday turns of the servers that transmit downloadable copies. Digital copies of games are inherently less long-lasting, because consumers aren’t actually buying a game (on a disc), just buying access to the game. The fine print in online gaming shops notes this, as does a recent law that went on the books in California in 2025. That lasw requires game publishers doing business in the state to refrain from words like “sell” when offering digital copies of games, unless they explicitly tell consumers that what’s being sold isn’t the game itself but a potentially revocable license to access it. A Sony spokesperson noted to Game File that “[w]ith all digital content, including games, movies, and music, players are purchasing a personal license for non-commercial use.” Regarding the fears of PlayStation games being lost to time in an all-digital era, the rep also noted that Sony remains “committed to delivering experiences from past generations to the new platforms our players are using.” They noted that PlayStation has used emulation and remasters to keep offering its classic games to modern gamers. It’s true that many consumers have become accustomed to not having physical copies of new music albums or movies, but the relative precariousness of digital copies of games is in fact being highlighted today by…. Sony’s other big announcement: the upcoming closure of the PS3 and PS Vita online stores Sony said today that it will be closing the online marketplaces for its PlayStation 3 console and PS Vita handheld in most countries in July 2027 (sooner elsewhere: August 2026 for the PS3 store Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua; late 2026 for PS3 in other Latin American countries and the Middle East). “We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming,” Sony said in its announcement, saying the move “was not an easy decision for us to make.” Sony said that PS3 and Vita marketplaces “are no longer able” to support modern commerce systems, prompting a “need” to close the shops and focus on more modern PlayStation platform stores. The news may spark some deja vu. Sony announced back in March 2021 that it planned to take the PS3, Vita and PlayStation Portable marketplaces offline that summer. The move would have caused some 2,000 digital-only games to become unavailable for new purchasers, according to a VGC analysis at the time. Fans complained loudly. By April 2021, Sony walked back the PS3 and Vita shop closures, with then PlayStation boss Jim Ryan saying “it’s clear that we made the wrong decision here.” This time around, Sony is giving a longer notice period in most regions. The closure of those stores is still likely to cut off access to new purchases of digital-only PS3 and Vita games. The current PlayStation 5 marketplace sells PS5 and PS4 games, as well as a selection of PS1 and PS2 games. It does not sell PS3 games, because games for that platform can’t run on the system (some are offered via a PlayStation Plus streaming option). Vita games also aren’t sold via PS5. Sony says digitally purchased PS3 and Vita games will be downloadable after the stores’ shutdowns “for the foreseeable future.” Sony’s move contrasts with Microsoft’s Xbox platform, which continues to sell and support games from all four Xbox console generations. But it puts it in line with Nintendo, which disabled purchases in the marketplace for its Wii console (a contemporary of the PS3) in 2019. Nintendo discontinued purchases in the online shop for its 3DS portable (a contemporary of the Vita) in 2023. The big questions about Sony’s 2028 post-disc era Will Microsoft follow suit, ending support for new disc-based games on Xbox platforms and therefore all game consoles, too? Whether Microsoft does or not, will third-parties that can no longer release games on discs for PlayStation, simply ditch the disc options across the board? Given the GTA VI no-disc experiment launching this November, will more game publishers decide to forgo disc-based offerings even in 2027? How will no-disc PS5/6 games be packaged and sold in brick-and-mortar retail stores? What becomes of game sharing in an all-digital era? Will Sony modify its current set-up, which currently allows some sharing of digital games across a pair of consoles, to allow more casual lending? (See for example, Nintendo’s year-old system of letting players lend a digital game to another player in a “family group” for up to 14 days.) Will there be a version of a PS6 with a disc drive? Or will a drive be offered as an add-on? And how will gamers who want to retain access to PS4/PS5 disc-based games react to whichever configurations Sony chooses to offer? What will the final disc-based PlayStation game be?