SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " prove " 5,694 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
New California test scores show most students don’t meet standards in math, English or science
California's 2026 test scores follow a familiar trend: incremental improvement from the prior year, with the majority of students behind grade-level standards.
Recruitment and retention take center stage at UPHS-Marquette Rural Health Showcase
About 50 future doctors and healthcare providers displayed their quality improvement projects they've worked on as residents on Wednesday
City of Davenport adopts new occupational health contract
Davenport City Council approved a resolution to provide full on-site occupational health services for city workers.
Ohio Attorney General sues 2 home-improvement companies, including Lorain County business
The Ohio Attorney General's Office filed separate lawsuits against two Ohio home-improvement companies, including one based in Lorain County.
James Spader didn’t like Ultron’s ‘A--hole’ “VisionQuest” introduction until he saw his family’s reaction
“I love it when I’m proven wrong about something,” the actor said.
EMCID calls for local art, photography submissions for venue displays
The East Montgomery County Improvement District is seeking art and photography submissions for displays at the Caney Pines Convention Center and Atrium Center.
Ubisoft plans cuts at German studios, adding to wave of workforce reductions
Ubisoft is planning to reduce its workforce in Germany, where it operates a trio of studios, by about 100 workers, Game File has learned. The company wants to offer employees buyouts to, should enough people accept, avoid having to lay anyone off. “In Germany, we initiated discussions with the Works Council last week regarding a proposed voluntary departure plan across Ubisoft Dusseldorf, Ubisoft Berlin & Ubisoft Mainz,” a company rep told Game File. A “works council” is a union-like group representing employees. “The voluntary plan is the primary measure being proposed to support the intended organizational changes,” the Ubisoft rep added. The company declined to confirm the scale of the potential headcount cut. Of the impacted studios, Mainz might be the best known to the public. It leads development of the Anno series and shipped the well-reviewed strategy game Anno 117: Pax Romana in November 2025. Berlin and Dusseldorf operate as support studios within Ubisoft’s creative network. Berlin recently supported the development of Rainbow Six Siege and the Rayman Legends Retold remake. Dusseldorf also contributed to those projects, as well as The Settlers and Ubisoft-branded escape rooms. Dusseldorf is the biggest of the three studios, with some 400+ workers, compared to just over 100 at the other two, a source familiar with the reductions and the teams told Game File. More than half of these new reductions of about 100 people are expected to happen at Dusseldorf. The planned cuts were announced at a town hall for the German studios on Tuesday of last week. In an email follow-up, the studio group’s managing director, Benedikt Grindel, said the cuts were intended to “best position our German studios for the future... with a clearer focus on their role, capabilities and organizational setup needed for the work ahead.” The email was an echo of the past. In January 2025, Grindel had emailed the Ubisoft developers in his region (or studio “zone”) to explain that a round of 185 cuts at the time, including about 65 at Dusseldorf, were “essential to improve our operational efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of our studios, the zone and the company.” A half-decade of continued job cuts Ubisoft has been aggressively cutting its headcount for years. At the end of September 2022, it had 20,729 workers. By the end of March 2026, that total was down to 16,590. Studio management is trying to trim costs as it grapples with a changing industry and a drought of releases, let alone hits. The company announced earlier this year that it had reduced its costs since 2022 by “nearly €325 million” ($362m) and planned to lower them through 2028 by another €180 million ($200m). In June the company said it was closing down its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and cutting roles in its Barcelona team. Even commercial and creative success hasn’t spared studios from this ongoing company-wide contraction. As Game File was nailing down details around the proposed cuts in Germany, Ubisoft management was informing workers of cuts in its Singapore studio, which shipped a hit remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag this past July. Some 70 positions in Singapore are being eliminated “to align the studio with upcoming production needs,” per a company rep’s statement to Game File. In early 2024, a large team in the Singapore studio launched the multiplayer pirate game Skull & Bones. It performed poorly but has been supported with regular content updates since. Many of Ubisoft’s studios around the world are heavily subsidized via regional grants and tax breaks. Singapore had been among them for years, but received no such local assistance in the 12 months ending this past March. News of the Singapore cuts broke today alongside word that Ubisoft is also proposing the closure of RedLynx, pending negotiations with officials. The Finnish studio behind the motorbike series Trials was founded in 2000 and sold to Ubisoft in 2011. As reported by VGC (and corroborated by Game File), Ubisoft management told employees it could not come up with a new, sustainable assignment for RedLynx. The 2025 workforce at Ubisoft Dusseldorf were straight-up cuts. This time, Ubisoft is hoping the reductions at its trio of German studios will largely come from workers taking a payout to leave. The company offered such voluntary dismissals at its Massive Entertainment studio (The Division) a year ago. For the German studios’ buyouts this time around, Ubisoft and the Works Council had discussed a formula that’d pay a worker’s monthly salary multiplied by 1.5 and by the number of years they’ve worked at the company, according to Game File sources. The formula is still subject to negotiations with the Works Council and has not yet been part of an official offer to workers. It could be adjusted up or down, and it could be supplemented with additional bonuses. Asked about the floated payout formula, a Ubisoft rep told Game File, “The terms of a potential voluntary departure program remain subject to negotiation with employee representatives. No final agreement has been reached, and we won’t comment on specific proposals while discussions are ongoing.” 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: Epic’s AI adventures Epic Games (Fortnite, the Unreal engine) is all-in on using AI to try to transform the way it makes video games and game-making tools. It’s leaders appear to be undeterred by any resistance among gamers and some game developers around generative AI—and instead emboldened by advances, particularly in AI-assisted programming. A recap of the last three days: On Monday, Bloomberg reported that Epic management told workers last week that development of an upcoming game combining Star Wars and Marvel characters would be “AI first.” Employees would be expected to use AI models such as Claude to code the game. A manager told Epic’s developers there would be “[n]o more hand-written code” and that art for the game would be “generated with full AI workflows,” per the outlet. Just ahead of that story running, Epic founder Tim Sweeney tweeted: “We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration. The aim isn’t to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.” In a follow-up, Sweeney predicted that most game development processes would be at least three times faster a year from now than they were in January 2026, thanks to AI. To a person on X who told him he was failing to read the room, Sweeney said: “Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not. Our job, as the provider of tools and technology to much of the industry, is to design for the present that is and the future that will soon be.” On Wednesday, Epic announced it was releasing a faster launcher for its Epic Games Store marketplace. It did so by stating in a blog post as clear as could be that the launcher is an AI-enabled, vibe-coded project: Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that’s way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look. Programming is hard? That was unexpected phrasing from a company founded by a legendarily great programmer. Back in 2011, Sweeney told me that he’d picked up programming quickly as a kid and rejoiced at the power it gave him. “I could look at any program that anybody else had written and, with enough effort, build something cooler.” Item 3: The Xbox Labs experiment (and one of the people behind it) Microsoft’s Xbox division, which is flooding the zone with announcements lately, yesterday revealed a new internal tech-tinkering team called Xbox Labs. In the words of Xbox boss Asha Sharma Labs is “a small group of game makers, engineers and scientists whose job is to turn emerging ideas into things our players and developers can experience.” Conventional wisdom coming out of the announcement is that Labs is a team that’ll focus on ideas driven by generative AI. In her announcement, Sharma cited some of the dizzying achievements in tech and gaming over the past month as AI agents and other AI tools have been deployed to swiftly figure out how popular games work, then rebuild them and mix them up. She mentioned seeing ”games rapidly decompiled and rebuilt to run on hardware they were never originally designed to support” and said “[p]erhaps more surprisingly, we’ve seen many of the biggest games in the world have been remixed into the source code of another.” (Minecraft plus Elden Ring, for example, or Fortnite + Super Monkey Ball + Overwatch + Diablo + others.) Sharma also cited the work of Windows PC games being ported to run in browsers, a seeming reference to a recent AI-assisted fan port of Halo. Or perhaps Call of Duty or GTA. Sharma didn’t use the specific term “AI” in her memo, but she came close, citing AI “agents” and their potential for game-making tools that Labs could help craft: I think XBOX has an important role to play here. Coding became the first major workload for agents because they can write, run, and test software. Games share many of those same properties, and people spend more than 72 billion hours a year playing XBOX games, roughly five times the estimated time spent writing code worldwide. We’ve spent 25 years learning how to make great games, and I want our game makers to help shape what these new technologies make possible. As we learn, we’ll share the tools we build with developers across the industry, just as we always have. When I asked an Xbox rep if Labs was an AI-centric team, they said genAI was not the focus, describing it as having a broader mandate for using new tech in new ways in gaming. As an example, they pointed to Xbox’s recently launched disc-to-digital gaming usage rights program. Microsoft didn’t specifically name anyone involved full-time in Xbox Labs yesterday, but on social media and LinkedIn, I spotted Adrian Mato IDing himself as leading the creatio of tools at Labs and talking up the launch. Mato first caught my attention in late September, when he said on X that he was “starting to build a new team at Xbox focused on products and tools for how games get built and distributed as agentic tools become more capable.” At the time, he framed AI-based tools as a supplement to traditional game dev tools. “I don’t think we need to replace them,” he said. Since then, he’s publicly shown interest in AI and in games. He’s recently spent some of his X feed marveling at the power of AI agents and praising the lighting in the latest Gears of War. Following the Labs announcement yesterday, he enthused about the Xbox Labs’ stylish landing page. He wrote: “We built some fun tools to art-direct shaders in real time, experimented with interactive ASCII art, and sprinkled in lots of tiny details. “Move your mouse to leave a colorful trail that reveals the original footage, or interact with the video to trigger bursts of particles. “A lot of love went into making it all feel just right. “More to come”
Cody Barton Names Area of Improvement for Titans Defense
After struggling to close out games, the veteran linebacker identifies third-down inefficiency as the critical hurdle preventing Tennessee's defensive unit from evolving into a dominant, elite force.
Friendswood ISD approves science lab designs for 2 campuses
The Friendswood ISD board approved preliminary science lab designs for Windsong Elementary School and Bales Intermediate School for the 2027-28 school year.
Brooklyn Bar Association highlights detailed business practices, supportive firm culture as keys to firm success
The Brooklyn Bar Association hosted a virtual CLE program on Oct. 14 centered on how law firms can improve their business practices through LEAP, a legal
How consumer tech company Whoop is building for Medicare patients
Whoop's chief medical officer, said the company's work with Medicare is an opportunity to prove its ability to improve health at the population level.
Justice Dept. demands California prove citizenship for lists of voters or withhold ballots
The U.S. Department of Justice has given California election officials 48 hours to prove the U.S. citizenship of voters its flagged as potential noncitizens, or withhold their ballots.
You Bought AI to Save Time. So Why Are You Busier Than Ever?
AI improves productivity only when leaders fix the underlying business system, delegate outcomes effectively, and stop managing every task.
Mon County Commission approves 2027 health insurance strategy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Commission approved a new employee health insurance contribution strategy Wednesday that officials say will help limit rising costs while maintaining coverage options for county
With AI platform, patients could chat with medical devices to improve health
A new platform could enable people to communicate with their medical devices through an app on their phones.
Epic Games To Improve Easy Anti-Cheat On Linux With Anti-Cheat Systemd Service & eBPF
In addition to Epic Games announced a preview of their new Epic Games Launcher, including Linux support, they also announced plans to improve their Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) software on Linux
Redefining Workflows with Microsoft AI & Power Platform: Start with Business Goals, Not Technology
Microsoft executives Leon Welicki and Dona Sarkar joined Innovia Consulting’s Shawn Dorward to discuss practical AI adoption strategies, emphasizing leadership, clear business goals, and choosing the right technologies to improve enterprise workflows.
Neighborhood conditions linked to childhood cancer survivors’ long-term health
Discover how the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study uncovered community-level factors influencing chronic health condition risks, and how that can improve care.
Herpes ‘Remedies’ Sold On Amazon And Walmart Pose Public Health Risk, FDA Warns
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Creams, sprays and washes that promise relief from genital herpes are easy to order online, but none of them has been approved to treat the infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to Amazon and Walmart over herpes
VA improves health information sharing with community providers
VA is improving how health information is shared across systems, giving care teams complete records, and strengthening training for better sharing.
Detroit’s People Mover to get 12 refurbished rail cars under $10M state grant
Michigan is awarding $10 million to help replace the Detroit People Mover’s rail cars and another $2 million to study downtown Detroit transit improvements as part of $65 million in transportation grants.
They Created a Cell That’s Almost Alive. What to Do With It Now?
SpudCells may one day produce new medicines and materials. But first scientists have to improve them — and make sure they aren’t misused.
Where the Rockets Can Improve Before Their Preseason Finale
The Rockets need to value each possession more if they hope to improve from last season.
The Ocarina of Time remake feels remarkably modern
New tech and gameplay improvements make it easier to get into Nintendo’s defining title.
UNCP Computer Science Program earns ABET accreditation
Photo by UNCPUNC Pembroke’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program has earned initial accreditation from ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission, providing independent recognition of the quality and rigor of the program as it prepares students for careers and advanced study in computing.The accreditation, which extends through Sept. 30, 2032, comes as UNCP continues to expand its computing programs amid rapid growth in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and other emerging technologies.ABET accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that evaluates academic programs against established standards for quality. The review examines curriculum, student outcomes, faculty qualifications, assessment practices, student support and continuous improvement.“Earning initial ABET accreditation is a significant milestone for our Computer Science program because it provides external recognition of the quality of our program and validates our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Dr. Haitao Zhao, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, in a press release. “For our department, this achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff and gives our students greater confidence in the quality of their education and preparation for careers and graduate study.”For prospective students, the accreditation provides independent assurance that UNCP’s program meets standards established for computing education and is preparing graduates to enter technical fields in the global workforce.Earning the accreditation required faculty and staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the program, including its curriculum, educational objectives, student learning outcomes and assessment processes. The review included a detailed self-study, documentation and an on-site evaluation.The accreditation arrives as UNCP looks toward the next phase of growth in computing. The department plans to continue strengthening its computer science curriculum while expanding hands-on learning and research opportunities for students. It also plans to pursue ABET accreditation for its information technology and cybersecurity programs.Future plans include developing new opportunities in artificial intelligence and graduate education, including an AI track and a Master of Science in Computer Science with a focus on AI and cybersecurity.
New Board Members and Leadership Team at OH Foundation
The Oswego Health Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, along with new officers who will lead the foundation as it continues its mission of strengthening healthcare in the communities served by Oswego Health. Joining the board are: [caption id=attachment_11136 align=alignleft width=180] Susan Brannan Cole[/caption] • Susan Brannan Cole. She is a public affairs, marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience. She serves as regional manager of external affairs for National Grid in Central New York. Cole also brings significant healthcare communications experience, having spent several years at Upstate Medical University in media relations, digital strategy and public engagement. She previously held leadership roles in communications and government affairs at Novelis and Constellation in Oswego. A graduate of SUNY Oswego, she is passionate about strengthening Central New York communities and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the region. [caption id=attachment_11129 align=alignright width=150] Rich Baldwin[/caption] • Rich Baldwin. He serves as director of marketing and business development at King + King Architects, where he leads the firm’s marketing, communications and business development initiatives. Baldwin has remained actively involved in community and nonprofit organizations, including previously serving on the board of regents at Le Moyne College. He has also supported community initiatives through organizations including the Onondaga Historical Association and Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. New leadership at the foundation are: • William W. “Bill” Crist will chair the Oswego Health Foundation. He brings more than 40 years of experience in education, from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. He retired in 2023 from the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse and remains deeply engaged in the community through numerous nonprofit and volunteer boards. He also serves as chairman of the Sanctuary Advisory Board for the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. • Heather Sunser will serve as vice chair. Sunser is a financial services practice group leader at Barclay Damon LLP, where she focuses primarily on real estate law, institutional lending, land use and municipal compliance. A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, she is also active in community service, volunteering with Vera House Legal Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Onondaga County Bar Foundation. • Darcy Antonucci will be the foundation’s treasurer. Antonucci serves as comptroller for Broadwell Hospitality Group, overseeing the financial functions of nine growing corporations as well as the company’s administrative departments. She brings extensive experience in finance, human resources and business operations, along with a strong record of community leadership. Antonucci has served on the Compass Credit Union board of directors and is an active member of the Trinity Catholic School Board. She has also been involved with the Oswego Health Foundation Gala Committee since 2018. • Attorney Rachael A. Dator will serve as secretary. Dator serves as administrator of the Oswego County Assigned Counsel Program, where she oversees grant funding, budgeting and program operations. With more than a decade of legal experience, she has served as an assistant district attorney, court attorney and legal counsel to municipalities and social services organizations. Dator brings extensive knowledge of law, governance and nonprofit operations to her role with the foundation.
A Major Labor Boom in CNY? Not Here Yet
With so many major projects going on — Micron, I-81 viaduct and others — job growth is predicted to increase. But so far the number of jobs in the region has declined By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11065 align=alignright width=350] Amy Stage, deputy director at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY): “For us, the conversation isn’t just about filling jobs. It’s about creating sustainable pathways that help people see a future for themselves in manufacturing.”[/caption] The I-81 viaduct project in Syracuse and Micron facility construction in Clay are expected to create a major labor boom for Central New York. But for the time being, the number of jobs here has actually decreased in the past year. The New York State Department of Labor reported that, for the annual comparison of June 2025 to this past June, private sector jobs decreased by 2,200 or less than 1% to 260,000. Job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+700), private education and health services (+400) and other services (+300). Job losses for that annual period were reported in the areas of trade, transportation and utilities (-1,500); professional and business services (-1,000); financial activities (-500); mining, logging and construction (-300); manufacturing (-200); and information (-100). The public sector job count rose over 12 months, with most growth concentrated in education, the state Department of Labor reported. Looking ahead, the Central New York economy is expected to benefit from both the Micron and I-81 viaduct projects over a period of several years. Initial job growth is foreseen in construction and computer and electronic manufacturing. Spin-off jobs will be created in the areas of professional and business services, health care and education, the state Department of Labor said in an email response to Oswego County Business magazine. “Population growth tied to the buildout of Micron Technology semiconductor complex in Clay is also expected to bring more workers and residents to the region, increasing demand for transportation services,” the agency said. New York Department of Labor highlighted current or projected job growth trends in various sectors. An increase in defense-related contracts at local high-tech employers has continued to support employment growth in the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector and Micron is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs as the project progresses. This sector paid an annual average wage of $117,500 in 2025 and employment in the sector is projected to grow by over 60% through 2032, making it the fastest-growing industry in the region. Typical occupations in this industry include electrical, electronic and electromechanical assemblers, software developers and industrial engineers, the state agency reported. Specialty trade contractors include several different types of tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) mechanics and installers. Many of these positions are trained through apprenticeships, the state Department of Labor reported. The Interstate 81 construction project is generating local jobs, including construction laborers, projected to grow at a 6.4% rate, and operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, projected to grow at a 7.3% rate over the next several years. Construction of the Micron Technology facility is also “creating thousands of job opportunities that will continue over the next two decades,” the state agency reported. The specialty trade contractors sector paid an annual average wage of $86,200 in 2025. For Central New York, the challenge isn’t creating jobs, it’s filling them. Amy Stage, a deputy director at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), said meeting this unprecedented growth is a much larger task than just replacing retirees. “We’re seeing workforce gaps at every experience level,” she said. “Companies need entry-level employees, experienced technicians, supervisors, engineers and skilled trades professionals. The opportunity is tremendous, but we need more people entering these career pathways.” Employers are looking for people who can troubleshoot, read technical information, use computers and learn new processes, not just perform repetitive production work, Stage said. To address this demand, the MACNY created the Manufacturers Talent Institute, which aims to connect students and job seekers with meaningful career pathways while helping employers build their workforce. Twenty-one companies have so far signed up to provide opportunities for more than 800 students. “For us, the conversation isn’t just about filling jobs,” Stage said. “It’s about creating sustainable pathways that help people see a future for themselves in manufacturing.” Several manufacturing facilities in the region are in the midst of expansion: • TTM Technologies, a leading U.S. manufacturer of advanced electronics and interconnect solutions for aerospace, defense and high-technology markets, which has a plant in DeWitt, completed its buildout of an additional facility, adding 400 jobs and expanding production of high-tech circuit boards for defense and critical electronics applications. • In Cortlandville, the Byrne Hollow Crossing Plant, a dairy manufacturing and processing facility, is increasing its operations, creating 100 new jobs. • The Chobani yogurt company is building a 1.4-million square foot dairy processing facility in Oneida County. This will create more than 1,000 good-paying jobs and double Chobani’s New York state workforce, Stage said. Stage noted several ways that local, state and federal governments can help spur manufacturing job growth in this region. Elected leaders and public agencies could work with industry representatives to create pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs seeking to upskill workers and improve employee retention. New York state has a variety of grants, tax incentives and financing programs to support site preparation, infrastructure, workforce development and capital investment. The U.S. Department of Labor has a pay-for-performance incentive program that provides employers $3,500 per new apprentice hired and retained for 90 days. MACNY was previously awarded an $87,000 federal grant that will cover 25 apprentices at nine companies. The manufacturing skills gap in the United States, at its current rate, could result in 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, according to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. In New York state, that gap is on pace to exceed 100,000 unfilled positions within six years. Manufacturing companies will be counting on more women to help fill that gap. While women make up half of the overall U.S. workforce, they only account for 29% of the manufacturing workforce in this country, Stage said. “Pre-apprenticeship programs like Real Life Rosies help to bring awareness to the manufacturing industry to fill some of the gaps, but we have a long way to go and it starts with educating people at younger ages about careers in manufacturing and earn-and-learn opportunities,” she said. As for Micron, that $100 billion-plus project, considered the largest private investment in New York state history, is expected to eventually create up to 50,000 jobs throughout the region, factoring in the spin-off opportunities for construction and supply chains. The plant’s foundation was poured on July 9. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, data and memory are foundational to the modern economy — and Micron is increasing our U.S. investments to more than $250 billion through 2035 to meet that moment,” the company’s president and CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, said in a news release. Bechtel, Micon’s construction partner in the project, reported that 4,500 people will be employed to help build the facility, including skilled craft professionals, local union members representing various trades and apprentices. The Syracuse-based CenterState CEO organization tallies the regional labor force at 397,582 workers (Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Oswego counties). Job growth isn’t limited to the Central New York region. For the larger area covering portions of the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern tier, and the western part of the state, there are 155,601 employees in the advanced manufacturing sector, and 155,275 construction workers. The agency’s 2026 Economic Forecast report noted that 41% of community and business leaders surveyed said a shortage of skilled workers in this area remains a problem, though 77% shared a positive economic outlook for the year ahead. Beyond the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing areas, local business leaders also see growth in small manufacturing companies, storage businesses, housing, unmanned flight technology and general construction. “Productive reuse of property,” the report said, “will hopefully continue to preserve unique architecture while driving business.” The report identified several challenges for economic growth in the region, including an aging workforce, outdated equipment, the rising cost of raw materials and “the disconnect between the speed of business needs and the pace of talent readiness.”
Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Retiring from Farming
Start now to ensure your farm passes to the next generation Deborah Jeanne Post [caption id=attachment_11062 align=alignright width=405] Adam C. Howell, outreach director at Cornell’s NY FarmNet: “Retirement from farming is atypical planning,” he says.[/caption] Roughly 70% of family-owned farms will transfer ownership withing the next two decades, according to data from to the USDA census. Only 30% of those will remain in the family. The number of farms in New York is shrinking as the size of farms increases. In other words, there are fewer farms in the state, but they’re much larger. This is why succession planning is so important for family farms. A farm represents not only a way to make a living but a legacy and family tradition. Many families want to preserve the small farm segment of agriculture and the values it represents. Passing the family farm to the next generation can’t be left to chance. And it shouldn’t be left for “the kids to figure out” after the older generation dies. Succession planning in agriculture isn’t like other types of business retirement planning or personal final planning. “Retirement from farming is atypical planning,” said Adam C. Howell, outreach director at Cornell’s NY FarmNet. “Most farmers, their assets and the way they live and survive in retirement is tied up in the equity in the farm. Those conversations must take place a lot earlier than they think. They’re dealing with something asset-heavy that may require a trust and tax planning.” NY FarmNet offers farmers free, confidential consultation services regarding financial and business management, and family, and mental health support for farmers in New York state. It’s a program of Cornell University in Ithaca. Howell urges farmers to begin the conversation early. Most family farms are run by generations with the oldest generation most involved and typically with fewer of the middle-aged adults and young adults involved. Some of the younger generation may have off-farm jobs and not live on the homestead. “Different people have different expectations on their legacy,” Howell said. “Intergenerational conflict and discussions can be difficult. It may be good to check with NY FarmNet or Ag Mediation to help mediate these conversations with a third party. A lot of farms have broken up because people can’t decide how to divide things.” New York State Agricultural Mediation Program is a USDA‑certified, free or low‑cost service for farmers. Fair is not always equal. A sole owner simply stating that he wants to divide things equally among his children may leave one-quarter of the farm operation to an adult child who moved away and hasn’t sat in a tractor for decades. The three adult children who have toiled on the farm for 30 years may need to buy out the fourth, non-farming sibling but cannot because all of their money is tied up in the equipment, land and stock that supports their livelihood. Their payrate may not allow them to set aside much to buy out the non-farming sibling. As a result, they may need to sell parts of the farm off in order to keep it. However, doing so may limit their ability to sufficiently support their families. The farm owner may need to bequeath more assets to the farming siblings because their efforts have kept the farm going and without those assets and their work, the farm will cease operations. Howell advises seeking professional help on tax and legal issues. Without it, families can be exposed to expensive problems and infighting. A third-party expert can help farm families navigate what is truly fair in the family’s succession plans. Beyond the practical aspects of inheritance, succession also relies upon planning who will operate the farm and how. “I think it’s important that farmers understand the means and methods of farming are always changing,” Howell said. For example, many young adult farmers earn a degree at a school such as Cornell, SUNY Cobleskill or Morrisville, work on a different farm for a while and then return to their family farm with big ideas on how to improve the farm — if only their dad and uncles will agree. Intergenerational conflict is often centered on newer ideas such agritourism, online marketing and shipping goods. “It causes conflict,” Howell said. “A lot of it comes down to communication and respect within the family. If no one in the family wants to take on farming, what we’ll see is older farmers start to help trusted managers buy into the farm.” The middle-aged generation, now in their 40s and 50s, often struggle with wresting the helm from their parents. Howell said that many older farmers don’t discuss with their grown children their vital business information such as vendors, ordering supplies, pricing, recordkeeping and farm planning. They even claim that “the kids” aren’t ready yet. These gaps in cross-training may cause significant problems even before the older generation dies, if there’s an illness or injury. Howell urges farmers to document these processes and cross-train others on the farm how to handle these areas “to make sure if one person is incapacitated, the entire operation is not at risk,” he said. Mark Modzeleski, financial adviser, financial planner and president at Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY in Syracuse, advises families to talk sooner than later about who should be operating the farm. “Someone is driving the farm,” he said. “Have you decided who? Be honest when you have that conversation. Who do they turn to when there’s a question? Or who has the potential to be leaders?” Planning for leadership continuity is vital. Unfortunately, talking like this can become fraught with emotions if it’s only the family involved. Modzeleski advised finding a third party who can help drive the conversation. “Invite the right people to the conversation who can get you from point A to point B,” he said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint.” It may take sitting down a few times with an estate planning attorney who specializes in farm transition, along with a tax professional and others who can help moderate and plan. Family members, owners and possibly, integral farm managers should attend the meetings. “Figure out what you want your legacy to be,” Modzeleski added.
Othello raises $8M to help sales reps improve pitches with AI
Othello, whose customers include Microsoft and Capital One, acts as a real-time coach on sales calls to help reps close deals.
2026 U.S. Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study
TROY, Mich.: 14 Oct. 2026 — Overall satisfaction among gas utility business customers rises 10 points (on a 1,000-point scale) to 655 in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction StudySM, released today. Business customer satisfaction improved across nearly all dimensions. Trust and information provided show the strongest gains, each up 24 […]
Byrum Brown's Turnovers Headline Joel Gordon's Concerns Before Georgia
Auburn offensive coordinator Joel Gordon addressed three major concerns ahead of facing No. 1 Georgia: Byrum Brown's interceptions, slow offensive adjustments and pre-snap penalties. The Tigers must improve their decision-making and execution to compete in Athens.
Chesapeake Bay gets a C+ in overall health, Va. and Md. leaders say work to protect it must continue
The Chesapeake Bay earned a C+ on the annual report card that calculates improvements or losses in key indicators of health and conditions in the estuary and surrounding areas. This is the highest the Bay has ever scored since the record-keeping began in 2006. At the announcement in Woodbridge on Tuesday, Virginia leaders said the […]
Offseason Acquisition Targets to Complete the Padres Lineup
The San Diego Padres lineup provided unprecedented production in the second half of the 2026 campaign. With a red-hot team entering October, the Padres proved they could compete with the best in the league despite falling short to the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite stellar offensive performances prior to the NLDS, an offseason acquisition seems to be …
Belton approves entertainment district with go-karts, movie theater and apartments
Belton City Council approves bonds for a new entertainment district featuring B&B Theatres, go-karts, bowling, restaurants and 638 apartments.
Schneck Health Experts to Share Tips for Healthy Aging
The Schneck Foundation invites the community to a special event, Live Well, Age Wisely, designed to empower individuals with practical tips and proven strategies for staying healthy, active, and feeling their best as they age. Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Jennings County Public Library, located at 2375 IN 3 North Vernon, IN […]
Belton approves finance incentives for Uptown Entertainment District, home to B&B Theatre
A major entertainment district in the heart of Belton will move forward after the city council approved two financing tools, including $250 million in Chapter 100 bonds, in a 7-2 vote Tuesday night.
Commission approves live entertainment permit for one-man science and music show downtown ⋆ The Palm Springs Post
Planning commissioners on Tuesday signed off on a conditional use permit for a building that will house Patrick Olson’s “The Art of Science,” which is expected to open in December or January.
Rice University | Scientists engineer new tool to improve detection of HIV and other viruses
New enzyme optimized for RNA detection assays.
Wood BOE sets new school boundaries, discusses behavioral health
PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education approved new elementary school attendance boundaries Tuesday evening but tabled a proposed $217,693.69 purchase of school signs to seek additional information and pricing. Additionally, they heard a presentation on student behavioral support. The approved boundaries will take effect for the 2027-28 school year at the new Vienna […]
Anchorage House districts dominate political fundraising in Alaska legislative races
Legislative races for districts representing South Anchorage, the Hillside, Sand Lake and Campbell Lake could prove pivotal to the political makeup of the state House of Representatives.
Improved Social Science? Don’t Laugh, It Could Happen
The theme is not unfamiliar: neither the falsehood nor the reasons for it are news. But three efforts at reform are worth knowing about.
Indian Health Service Launches New Electronic Health Record System in Oklahoma
Overview: The Indian Health Service has launched its new PATH EHR electronic health record system at three Oklahoma health facilities, using the Lawton Service Unit as a pilot to evaluate the technology, improve patient access to health information and guide future implementation across Indian Country. The Indian Health Service (IHS) has launched a new electronic […]
Will Florida’s Amendment 3 property tax reduction pass? Polls differ widely
The most recent round of public, preelection polls show Florida voters are stressed about affordability and the cost of living. But it’s unclear if they’ll approve a plan that would
New method helps researchers study proteins involved in plant health, disease
Plants—like people—come in all shapes and sizes. And just like scientists want to understand the components of the human body to treat disease and improve our lives, they also want to understand how plants ...
Bexar County commissioners back BAMC amid Methodist Healthcare's plans for Level II trauma center
The Bexar County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday reaffirming its support for Brooke Army Medical Center’s role in regional trauma care. The vote comes as Methodist Healthcare seeks designation as a Level II trauma facility — a move the court says could affect trauma case distribution and jeopardize BAMC’s mission without coordinated regional assessment.
Griffin Museum Of Science And Industry Breaks Ground On Historic South Portico Opening
The $22 million project will open the museum's south entrance for the first time in more than a century with accessibility improvements, a café and a terrace overlooking Jackson Park.
Chesapeake Bay gets best overall health score in 40 years; Researchers say restoration paying off
The overall health of the Chesapeake Bay improved to its highest score in 40 years of tracking.
When 1 + 1 = 1: The Miserable Math Behind Many Media Mergers
(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.) The last few issues of this newsletter have circled two topics: September’s streaming viewership and all the Paramount/Skydance/Warner Bros./Discovery merger news. I’m happy to say on the Streaming Ratings Report front, we’ll be all caught up by early next week, then the SRR will come out on a tight weekly schedule. Then, after today, I’ll have slayed my PSWbD dragon. It’s such a big story, it demanded multiple issues. With the announcement of a name (just Skydance) and executive team, though, I think we can almost close the book on this story. In terms of topics, it becomes just another studio to cover. So today, I have one last set of takes on that merger. As I’ve sat with it, reading about who was staying and who was going, a big worry crystallized in my brain, and I gotta get that take out. Plus, I still owe you a host of “ugliness” that didn’t fit in my previous “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” takes. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - As Paramount Shuffles Deck Chairs, Will They Build or Consolidate? On social media—I try to avoid most social media platforms, but sometimes I end up checking in—the best joke I saw about the announcement of the new name of Skydance was from fellow reporter Claire Atkinson who pointed out… Yeah, I laughed out loud at that one. Later, though, I saw another Twitter response (that later got deleted, so I can’t shout the person out) that did give me pause. The person noted that the Titanic film made the better analogy: a super expensive project everyone in the town doubted that went on to conquer the globe. So yeah: on one hand, the image of the Titanic recalls the actual ship and its infamous end, but that clip is from a movie which proved the doubters wrong. So for all the skepticism of the latest massive media merger, one could wonder which way this one goes. Does it crash like the Titanic or rise to glory like Titanic, the movie? Either way, this deal is “Titanic”, looking at the massive debt required to close the deal, which is not going well when it comes to borrowing costs for Paramount… …or borrowing costs for Oracle. But I’ve started to get worried about another outcome: the sum of this merger will be smaller and weaker and less profitable than its former parts. In other words, one plus one won’t equal three or two, but an even smaller number. Skydance paid to take a traditional studio off the board, but they won’t really capture the upside. Let me explain what I mean, but first, let’s look at the series of news that inspired this thought. Skydance Sets Its Leadership Team As soon as the Paramount-Skydance-Warner Bros.-Discovery merger closed, the new leadership team announced a new name—Skydance, which I’ll use going forward—and a new executive leadership team. You’ve probably read through all the executive shuffling, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick, incomplete summary, in rough order of importance: Mattel’s CEO Ynon Kreiz—who previously ran Maker Studios—joined as co-CEO with David Ellison. HBO/HBO Max’s Casey Bloys will stay and run streaming. Former head of streaming for Paramount-Skydance Cindy Holland—who was also at Netflix—will depart. The former heads of Warner Bros.—Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca—are out. The film studios will be run by Dana Goldstein and Josh Greenstein. George Cheeks of Paramount will run Skydance TV, controlling all the TV production units. In comic book news, the DC films will still be run by Peter Gunn and Peter Safran. Lastly, the head of CNN, Mark Thompson, will stay in place. Let’s quickly opine on the particulars before diving into the broad ramifications. 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… Who I like and dislike in their next gigs… Why I think this consolidation will likely leave Skydance worse off… The math behind which mergers succeed and which don’t… A lot more ugliness in this merger… And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Apple's HomePod mini 2 is here with Siri AI, new colors and improved sound
The smart speaker is priced at $149. Alongside the new Apple HomeView, upgraded Apple TV 4K, and Apple Home Collection, the company also unveiled the...
US small-business optimism falls on dimmer economic outlook
The net share of independent business owners who expect conditions to improve declined 4 percentage points to a four-month low of 6%.
NASA Funding Delays Raise Alarms for Researchers
Approved grants face extra reviews and delays, and observers fear a behind-the-scenes installation of proposed political reviews.
Rutgers Board of Governors establishes a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate degree
/PRNewswire/ -- The Rutgers Board of Governors voted to approve a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Real Estate that will be offered to students at...
Albertsons launches business review, pulls outlook as profit falls
Albertsons launches a broad business review and suspends its financial outlook after a sharp profit decline, aiming to improve cost structure and shareholder returns.
Science education needs its own evidence-based reckoning
Here's why science education needs an evidence-based reckoning to close learning gaps and improve student outcomes.
The Apple TV 4K Gets Siri AI, an A19 Chip, and a $299 Price Tag
Apple also updated the Apple TV 4K today. Last updated in 2022, the Apple TV 4K’s fourth-generation update is focused on bringing an improved surround sound experience to the Apple TV, along with Siri AI. From the outside, the new Apple TV 4K looks like the old one: a nondescript black box that sits under
WV Department of Health looks to improve state psychiatric hospitals
The West Virginia Department of Health Facilities is working to improve the state’s psychiatric hospitals.
Cameron Johnson Reveals Why he's Confident Going Into 2026-2027
Cameron Johnson could improve in year two with Denver.
Apple Announces $149 HomePod Mini 2 With Siri AI, 'Sound Glow', and Four-Speaker Surround Sound
Apple today announced a new HomePod mini equipped with Siri AI, new colors, and improved audio experiences. The new HomePod mini has an S10 chip that supports advanced computational audio, and Apple says it optimizes dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance in real-time. A Sound Glow feature turns the HomePod mini's top into a "visual canvas" that glows and animates in sync with music, reacting to bass and treble.
FSU computational scientist earns National Science Foundation grant to improve nighttime thunderstorm forecasts
A Florida State University scientist has received a nearly half-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve nighttime
Are Investors Undervaluing PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN) Right Now?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Workday and Anthropic Announce New Partnership to Connect Reasoning to the Rules That Run the Business, Wherever People Choose to Work
People Can Find Workday Information, Take Action, and Approve Work Through Sana Agents in Claude – Workday's Permissions and Business Rules Apply to Every Request, and the User Confirms Every Change
Sixty years later, Missouri's bold investment in nuclear science continues to save and improve lives
Mizzou is harnessing the power of MURR and NextGen MURR to fight cancer, strengthen U.S. supply chains, support national defense and drive breakthroughs in health, energy and technology.
Harnessing Technology to Help Farmers Assess Crop Health Earlier
Penn leads a team with researchers from Purdue University, the University of Florida, and the University of California, Merced, so the technology can prove itself across different crops, climates, and regulations.
Visa wins China's approval to prepare a domestic bank card clearing business
The People's Bank of China approved Visa's application to begin preparations, with authorities requiring the work to be completed within one year
Did human beings evolve from apes? Here’s what science can and can’t prove
The familiar claim about humans evolving from apes leaves out an important part of the story. Fossils and DNA reveal a much more complicated family history than the popular version suggests.
Breast cancer screenings can improve survival rate, SC health officials say
About 4,000 South Carolina women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the South Carolina Department of Health.
Cristante’s condition improves
Bryan Cristante was forced to sit out after Roma-Inter (2-2). The Giallorossi number 4 was unable to return to the Italy squad due to lumbago, but in the following days he developed knee inflammation ...
Josh Allen, Bills win OT ‘MNF’ thriller against Rams
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills proved to be unstoppable late in action against the Los Angeles Rams during Monday Night Football
The Science of Finding Cancer Early Just Proved Itself. The ...
NHS-Galleri results fuel calls to build cancer early-detection access in communities facing the greatest environmental and healthcare disparities.
Small group health insurance market rates announced
Media Release, Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has approved 2027 health insurance premium rates for the small group health insurance market. As of March 2026, over 31,000 New Mexicans were enrolled in a small group plan. The average increase across small group plans is 19.8%. These rates take effect on January 1, 2027. The carriers offering small group coverage in New Mexico in 2027 are: Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (HealthCare Service Corporation) Presbyterian Health Plan Presbyterian Insurance Company UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Key Factors Driving the Rate Increases The primary factors that contributed to the 2027 increases are: Claims Experience - Higher than expected 2025 New Mexico claims experience, which is the foundation for the 2027 rate development. Cost Trend - Higher utilization and inflation impacted healthcare costs services, which impacts medical services and pharmaceutical costs nationwide. Risk Pool Changes - Nationwide, businesses with healthier employees are opting for alternative health coverage not under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This results ina smaller and less healthy small group ACA risk pool. Final approved rates will be posted on the OSI website. To view the carrier rate sheets and rate increase specifics, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website here. The Rate Review Process Conducted by OSI The OSI rate review process focuses on approving rates for health insurance plans that are actuarially sound, not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory and ensuring health insurance rates comply with all state and federal laws. For more information, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website at https://osi.state.nm.us/en/. *** About the Office of Superintendent of Insurance The Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is New Mexico’s regulatory agency responsible for overseeing a wide range of insurance products, including private health and life insurance, auto, home, business, and title insurance. OSI regulates private health plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, ensuring that premium rates are fair, companies are financially sound, and health care insurance coverage is reliable. While OSI does not have authority over self-funded health plans, where an employer assumes the financial responsibility for paying employee health care claims, Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE, OSI plays a vital role in protecting consumers by reviewing premium rates, monitoring insurance company conduct, and licensing producers (formerly known as insurance brokers and agents).
Progress Stopped: Titans’ Latest Defeat Offers Few Positives
For weeks, Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh has preached progress, pointing to improvements in the team's execution and understanding of the system. However, the Titans' latest defeat, a 26-3 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, leaves little evidence that the team is moving in the right direction.
This Tigers Rookie Is Key to Team’s Offense in 2027
Max Clark broke onto the scene for the Detroit Tigers in late July this season, and although his time was limited with the Tigers, he proved just how vital he is going to be for his club's success going forward. Although Kevin McGonigle earned high praise for his performance as the spark plug at the …
Four Padres’ Prospects Who Could Make an Impact in 2027
The San Diego Padres have one of the worst-ranked farm systems in all of Major League Baseball. That has posed a massive problem for General Manager A.J. Preller whenever he tries to wheel and deal at the Trade Deadline. However, Preller has proved adept at holding onto gems. Recent Padres' prospects such as Jackson Merrill …
Applications for N.C. rural health fund open next week, expanding healthcare access in rural communities
The N.C. Rural Health Innovation Fund aims to improve rural health outcomes through technological innovation.
SEC presidents approve uniform NIL, rev-share contract
SEC presidents voted Monday to approve a uniform NIL and revenue-share contract that includes adjustable components, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. The Big Ten is the other power conference to have uniform rev-share contracts. While that vote took place, the presidents also tabled a vote in whether to re-implement its intra-conference transfer policy. On3 previously reported […]
Whitestown seeks guidance from state over audit
WHITESTOWN — Town Board members approved a letter to be sent to the chief of municipal audits with the New York State Comptroller’s Office asking if it’s necessary for the
I tried Sonos' sleek new Beam Ultra soundbar, and it packs huge Dolby Atmos sound into a small package
The new Sonos Beam Ultra improves on the standard Beam by adding up-firing audio drivers that bounce Dolby Atmos sound effects off your ceiling.
Knicks Must Give Dadiet Real Minutes, Not Garbage Time
Pacome Dadiet needs a real test against rotation players, not just more minutes against reserves. The Knicks owe their 2024 pick a fair shot to prove his fit.
Trusted support improves mental health in LGBQ+ teens
Gay or bisexual teens who have someone to turn to with a serious problem have significantly better mental health outcomes than those who don't, according to a new study from Tulane University researchers.
Novel material’s magnetism could improve electronics’ speed, efficiency
A material thinner than a human hair may foster faster computing devices that demand less energy and store more data, according to a multi-institutional team led by researchers in the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
CHIME time, AI transparency in research, ‘Evolution’ on PBS, and faculty honors
Yale researchers help prove the utility of an innovative radio telescope in understanding the expanding universe and offer thoughts on how to best use AI in science. Meanwhile, faculty members in physics and astronomy are honored for breakthroughs across an array of fields.
Share How the TODAY Show Has Helped You on Your Health Journey
For the 75th anniversary of the show, we’re highlighting TODAY fans who saw something on the show or TODAY.com and used it to improve their health.
Playoffs Continue To Prove Padres Are In Wrong League
The San Diego Padres season is over, but they still have to watch an inferior team in the ALCS.
When it comes to health care access, more isn't always better
Hospitals and policymakers routinely face a difficult question when investing in specialized emergency services: Will adding another facility improve care, or would those resources do more good somewhere ...
Marsh survey examines how health systems are managing capital, investment strategies
Health systems’ finances improved in 2026, but many organizations remain under enough pressure to keep tapping reserves, taking on debt, and turning to investment portfolios for financial flexibili | Forty-three percent of respondents report expecting to draw on reserves in 2026, up from 37% the year prior.
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
Habits for Reducing Stress and Improving Health
As the year comes to an end and life gets busier, it can be difficult to keep a consistent routine and find time to take care of both your physical and mental health. Ben Meer, author of "How to Be Good at Life," joins the 3rd Hour of TODAY to share tips on how to create better habits that can reduce stress and improve your well-being. His recommendations include breaking daunting tasks down into smaller chunks, setting concrete goals and reserving at least one hour a week to organize your responsibilities.
Duke Energy Grants Support Downtown Revitalization Efforts
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded $190,000 in grants to South Carolina communities to support downtown revitalization efforts. Funds will be used for facade improvements, wayfinding signage, public gathering spaces, and small business...
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.
Rochester City Council responds to business feedback amid construction
Last Monday, the Rochester City Council approved additional funding for its Business Forward program to support businesses impacted by downtown construction. The city also responded to feedback from some businesses which had stated the money would be more beneficial as a cash infusion.
Rochester City Council approves additional business forward funding
KTTC News Today 6:30am
Study Rewrites Cattle Pregnancy Science
A new LMU study found cattle embryos can establish pregnancy without interferon tau, opening new research paths to improve livestock fertility.
Fullspan Health on Winning the AI Search Revolution
As AI becomes a primary source of health information, healthcare marketers face a new challenge: ensuring their brands appear in the answers consumers receive. | Learn how Fullspan Health is helping brands improve AI visibility, build trust and engage patients across the healthcare journey.
'Charlton's lack of penetration holds them back'
Fan writer Paul Sullivan assesses Charlton's need to improve in attack after their winless run stretches to six games.
Osasuna rocked: Ramis sacked, and Arrasate returns!
Club Atlético Osasuna has officially announced the dismissal of Luis Miguel Ramis as first-team head coach. The decision was approved by the board after reviewing the club’s performances at the sta...
Linus Torvalds "Did What I Preach", Used AI To Make Code Decipherable & Uncovered More Bugs
After using Claude Code to draft code to help make a fundamental improvement to the Linux kernel, Linux creator Linus Torvalds continued using AI this weekend and talking up its benefits
Murray PC approves plans for Intermountain Health cancer center tower
The Murray Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit so Intermountain Health can build a cancer center at its hospital complex.
Medicaid approves reentry care at Louisiana prisons, jails
Louisiana is joining 18 other states that provide federal government-supported healthcare access to incarcerated people near the end of their prison terms, with hopes it eases their reentry process.
Gotcha? Some said a glass of water 'proved' China faked its space station – but simple science destroyed the argument in seconds | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
A theory online claimed China's space agency was faking its space station – all because of a glass of water. Science debunked the theory.