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You’re Invited: What Can We Achieve When We Put Food First For Health?
Join Food Tank in Philadelphia to talk about the collaboration, legislation, and innovation that prioritizes our dietary well-being.
Innovation@Brown Showcase highlights new science, technology ventures
The event awarded prizes to inventor, startup and innovation of the year.
Hollywood Casino hosts inaugural Maine Science Awards
Honorees were recognized in five categories: Lifetime Achievement, Innovation, Impact, Surprising Science, and Advancing Trust in Science.
Elon Musk reveals a flying futuristic Tesla Roadster supercar
The revised Tesla Roadster has been a long time coming, with Elon Musk first showing off an earlier version back in November 2017.
Cardinals Chosen As Innovative Philanthropic Company Of Year By Phoenix Business Journal
Arizona Cardinals Official Team Website I Arizona Cardinals – AZCardinals.com
Da Red Gobbo returns with a new festive miniature
Plus, there’s a new novel starring the galaxy’s greatest revolutionary gretchin.
Cedar Crossing Casino to open Nov. 19, six weeks ahead of schedule
Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will open to the public Nov. 19, six weeks earlier than previously planned.
Kiwanis prepares for 3rd 'Pancakes & Popcorn' event
COOLIDGE — Mark your calendars, the Kiwanis Club of Coolidge will hold its annual “Pancakes and Popcorn in the Park” event on Friday, Nov. 6.
Cedar Crossing casino sets ‘soft opening’ for Nov. 19, six weeks ahead of schedule
Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will open to the public Thursday, Nov. 19, six weeks earlier than the Dec. 31 opening it had planned, casino leaders announced Thursday, Oct. 15. In July, the CBJ reported that the $275 million casino expected to open in mid-November. Thursday’s announcement sets the date. “I’m proud of our […]
Berkeley Haas unveils strategic plan with new initiatives in AI, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and sustainability & social impact - Haas News
UC Berkeley Haas today unveiled a new strategic plan designed to strengthen its standing as a global business education leader, a school where analytical rigor, human judgment, and innovation work together to move business forward. The plan rests on three foundational pillars essential to the school’s mission: expanding the impact of its research; strengthening its […]
Iowa politics: KCCI to host Congressional 3rd District debate between Nunn, Trone Garriott
KCCI, Iowa’s News Leader, will host a 3rd Congressional District debate as part of its Commitment 2026 political coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
UnityPoint Health brings pop-up innovation lab to Sioux City
This provided Unity Point team members the opportunity to take challenges with equipment and brainstorm with engineers to create solutions.
Clean Politics, Clean Water NC defends anti-Lee signs, as campaign weighs legal action
NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Advocacy group Clean Politics, Clean Water NC is standing behind the guerilla-style signs, cutouts and flyers placed around New Hanover County against Sen. Michael Lee and his…
Explore latin music culture at November’s Que Bacano event
Downtown West Palm Beach is turning up the energy this November with a lineup of events bringing the community together with music, movement and meaning.
‘Sense and Sensibility’ (2026) review: Daisy Edgar-Jones shines in adaptation
Georgia Oakley's take on Jane Austen's novel isn't quite as memorable as Ang Lee's, but it brings plenty of pleasure of its own, writes Moira Macdonald.
Seaport Entertainment Group Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call Dates
NEW YORK, October 15, 2026--Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (NYSE: SEG) ("Seaport Entertainment Group" or the "Company") today announced it will release its third quarter financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET.
Arisa Health CEO Laura Tyler to retire, successor named
Dr. Laura Tyler, CEO of Springdale-based behavioral health system Arisa Health, will retire Nov. 21 after several years with the organization. Ruth Allison Dover, chief legal officer, will become CEO...
Arisa Health CEO Laura Tyler to retire, successor named
Dr. Laura Tyler, CEO of Springdale-based behavioral health system Arisa Health, will retire Nov. 21 after several years with the organization. Ruth Allison Dover, chief legal officer, will become CEO...
13News Now
13News Now (WVEC) is made up of storytellers, innovators, content creators, and idea generators. We stand for passion. Passion for our people, passion in our product, and above all- passion in our community. We value honesty, accuracy, and solutions. We serve as the local ABC affiliate for Hampton Roads. We strive for interaction with our audience and are constantly working on our presentation so that you have the best experience when consuming our products. Whether on air, online, or on the go- we are everywhere you go. Digitally we lead the market by more than a million actions over our nearest competitor. Join the conversation with us, help us tell the Stories of Now. About our parent company TEGNA- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 46 television stations in 38 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms.
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
Apple is planning to introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models on October 27 or October 28, and the machines could launch on Friday, November 6, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said during his latest podcast. Apple retail stores apparently have a "big floor reset" scheduled for the evening of Thursday, November 5, and into Friday, November 6, which Gurman says could be in preparation for the new Macs.
Nina Dietz to Discuss the Public Health Impacts of Wildfires at the Milken Institute
Image The Department of Global Health at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health will host Pulitzer Center grantee and freelance journalist Nina Dietz at a Research and Practice Seminar. On Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 2:00pm-3:00pm EST, Dietz will present on her Pulitzer Center-supported project The Toxic Side of Climate Change. The project investigates the hazards left behind by urban wildfires in Los Angeles and examines the long-term risks these toxins pose to affected communities. The project also explores what remains in the ash and debris after a fire, and how those materials impact public health. Dietz is a writer, documentarian, and journalist reporting from a background rooted in both science and the humanities. Her work has appeared in New Lines Magazine, Inside Climate News, Science Friday, and at Photoville, among others.
SMC's Distinguished Scientists Series Returns: Biotech & USC Talks
Free science lectures at Santa Monica College on Oct. 20 and Nov. 19 featuring biotech executives and USC researchers discussing precision medicine and gene therapy.
Gulfshore Playhouse presents the world goes ’round musical
Gulfshore Playhouse introduces the cast of “The World Goes ’Round,” a celebration of the music of Tony Award-winning songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb, running Oct. 20 through Nov.
Women in Science Honored for Advancing Healthcare Innovation - National Cancer Centre Singapore
Women in Science Honored for Advancing Healthcare Innovation - National Cancer Centre Singapore / AI, cancer, Joanne Ngeow, National Cancer Centre Singapore,
Recap: Warren Council Bars Self-Storage Downtown, Advances Vacancy Tax Changes
Warren Town Council removed self-storage from the business district and advanced vacant-property tax changes, with snow fines set for November.
Alexander Volkanovski suggests 'winner-take-all fight' vs Justin Gaethje
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski proposed a “winner-take-all” superfight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to cap their careers.
13News Now
13News Now (WVEC) is made up of storytellers, innovators, content creators, and idea generators. We stand for passion. Passion for our people, passion in our product, and above all- passion in our community. We value honesty, accuracy, and solutions. We serve as the local ABC affiliate for Hampton Roads. We strive for interaction with our audience and are constantly working on our presentation so that you have the best experience when consuming our products. Whether on air, online, or on the go- we are everywhere you go. Digitally we lead the market by more than a million actions over our nearest competitor. Join the conversation with us, help us tell the Stories of Now. About our parent company TEGNA- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 46 television stations in 38 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms.
Berlin Philharmonic planning to vacate Philharmonie for renovation from 2032-40
Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic face a big challenge. Renovations planned for their home, the Philharmonie, likely will displace the orchestra from 2032 to 2040. Petrenko, the chief conductor,
NASA Welcomes All Ages, Experience Levels for Space Apps Challenge
Registration is open for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge, a two-day global event on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, where teams work to create
GTA 6 squeaks into eligibility for The Game Awards 2026 by the smallest of margins - but can it break Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record number of wins?
Grand Theft Auto 6 releases 19th November and The Game Awards cut-off is 20th November. It's a close call. But will GTA 6 win?
Al Pacino to receive SAG-AFTRA lifetime achievement award
Al Pacino attends the premiere of ‘Modi: Three Days On The Wing Of Madness’ at Writers Guild Theater on Nov. 4, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
New Mexico Election 2026: constitutional amendments 1-3
Several amendments to the New Mexico Constitution will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot that, if approved, would require governors to explain their vetoes, eliminate the requirement to
Apple TV 4K, HomeView pre-order ship times now delayed to late November
Pre-order shipping times for new Apple TV 4K and HomeView products have already started slipping into late November for new orders.
Two decades of publications reveal research institutions becoming more alike worldwide
Where researchers go, their knowledge goes. And that shapes where innovation happens. "Recruiting researchers is one way institutions gain new knowledge and steer their research in particular directions," ...
US bishops' president urges Catholics 'to put their faith before politics' in November elections
Ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement Oct. 14 reminding the faithful that
DOJ sues California to block votes from alleged non-citizens
WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The US Justice Department on Thursday sued California, asking a federal judge to block the state from counting mail ballots for the November midterm elections
City of Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival Returns November 7
PASADENA, Calif. – The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS), in partnership with Triumph Foundation, will host the annual Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. This free, inclusive event welcomes individuals of all abilities to experience […]
Ophthalmology Limited opens expanded, renovated location
Ophthalmology Limited has finished the expansion of its eye surgery center and added services.
Clinton Policy Institute outlines maternal health solutions for states
Health Care Clinton Policy Institute outlines maternal health solutions for states It’s the first major report from the project, which launched in July to foster nonpartisan policies to improve the wellbeing of children and families. Stephanie Akin 10:00 AM, Oct 15, 2026 Dr. Jacob Lenz performs an ultrasound at the Oklahoma State University obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon) The Clinton Policy Institute is calling on states to lead efforts to curb maternal mortality, releasing a 61-page playbook Thursday highlighting successful policies that could be adopted nationwide. The playbook is the first major report from the Clinton Foundation’s project, which launched in July to foster nonpartisan state and local policies to improve the wellbeing of children and families. “Eighty percent of maternal deaths are preventable, and we know what works,” CPI Chair Jennifer Klein said. “The solutions are well established and evidence-based.” CPI’s mission is to convene political leaders from both parties, policy experts, state officials and other stakeholders to explore solutions to longstanding problems. “What we aim to do is bring together people who are deeply engaged, but may not be meeting together in the same room,” Klein said, noting that state policymakers might not always be aware of what their peers are doing in other states. In May, CPI brought together lawmakers from Virginia and Pennsylvania, two of the 14 states that have passed bipartisan maternal health “Momnibus” packages modeled after a comprehensive federal proposal that has repeatedly stalled, called the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Other participants included Dr. Mona Hanna, founder of Rx Kids, a Michigan program that provides direct cash allowances to pregnant women and infants. Pennsylvania Rep. Morgan Cephas, who was part of the group, said she learned about funding opportunities she hadn’t come across during her decade in the Legislature. “As legislators we can issue grants, we can pass legislation, we can move policy, but we want to ensure that funding opportunities and programs that are tackling this issue are sustainable,” Cephas said. The playbook outlines broad areas where state policy can make a difference, such as allowing Medicaid to pay for doulas and remote patient monitoring, and using federal and private grant funding to pay for home visits to pregnant and postpartum women. For each category, it highlights innovative programs that can serve as models, with examples of specific actions state lawmakers and governors’ offices can take. Those include the Rx Kids model, which gets funding from the Michigan state budget; Pennsylvania’s Healthy Moms Vibrant Futures strategic action plan, emphasizing equity-centered maternal care, regional collaboration, Medicaid innovation, and workforce development that was launched this year with more than 160 stakeholders; and Kansas’s Bridging Plan, which reserves three slots and provides at least $26,000 in loan forgiveness for obstetric residents who commit to practicing in rural or underserved communities for 36 months. CPI emphasizes that its work is nonpartisan. Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council under former President Joe Biden, acknowledged that CPI also takes positions on abortion, Medicaid funding, and the need to address the economic and social drivers of poor health, which might rankle some conservatives. “We don’t shy away from talking about those things that we think are part and parcel of the maternal health crisis in this country,” Klein said. “That said, there are so many policies that are both evidence-based and have been tried successfully in both red and blue states, and people can see that they can have real impact.” She pointed to the federal option to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months that was made available during the Biden administration and has since been adopted by every state but Arkansas. Other initiatives embraced across party lines include Medicaid coverage for midwives and doulas, as well as “bundled” payments for prenatal and postpartum care. That alternative payment model, pioneered in states such as Arkansas, Colorado and Tennessee, incentivizes fixed fees to cover all healthcare services associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Advocates say it promotes more coordination among caregivers, discourages unnecessary interventions, and expands postpartum support. In addition to maternal health, the initiative is also focused on addressing family economic security, children’s well-being, and democracy and civic resilience.
Grand Theft Auto 6 launch trailer suddenly drops, showing a saucy shower scene, a tense police chase, and high-flying heists
Rockstar Games has released the launch trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 today, which is a showcase of the hijinx players can expect come the 19th November.
Why the GOP’s voter fraud messaging may backfire
GOP allegations that voter fraud is rampant in the US may drive more Democrats – and fewer Republicans – to the polls in November.
Vizient Hosts Congressional Briefing on Hospital Innovation
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 15, 2026--
TIME Best Inventions of 2026
NASA’s new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was among the year’s top innovations recognized Thursday on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list.
Massachusetts can protect data privacy without hurting small businesses
As lawmakers debate the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, they should be careful not to adopt an approach that unintentionally makes it harder and more expensive for local businesses to compete, grow, and innovate online.
Scientists Made a Wild Friday the 13th ‘Doomsday’ Prediction in 1960, and It’s Almost Here
Sixty-six years ago, a group of scientists published a startling calculation about when humanity could reach a breaking point: They landed on Friday, November 13, 2026. The Independent reported Wednes...
Companies pledge free software and computing for AI in science
The European Commission has announced that a group of companies and foundations will offer free services, such as software or access to supercomputers, to European scientists using AI in their research.Unveiled on October 15 at a conference in Dublin, the initiative is the latest step by the Commission to try to help researchers use the technology. Scientists have used forms of AI, such as machine learning, for decades. But advances in deep learning in the past decade, and the wider interest in large language models since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, have spurred governments to invest in new AI tools that could help the scientific process.In July, the US announced it is spending $5 billion on the Genesis Mission, which it describes as a “national effort to harness AI for science,” funding 278 projects across areas such as autonomous labs or new AI tools in astronomy. The Commission has also identified AI in science as a priority, but the €107 million it pledged from Horizon Europe in 2025 does not come close to US spending levels. That said, the vast majority of public research spending in the EU comes from national funds. Today’s announcement at the European AI in Science Summit doesn’t commit any new public money. Instead, it launches the AI in Science Enablers Initiative, a set of voluntary contributions from companies and foundations. The idea is that the companies also benefit by getting access to scientific ecosystems, and feedback on how their tools work. Google, for example, has put up €3 million of cloud computing credits to European researchers. The Novo Nordisk Foundation intends to make its supercomputer, Gefion, available to European researchers, according to the Commission statement. The chipmaker Nvidia said it would provide access to tools, compute, training and collaborative projects.The publisher Elsevier also offered complementary licenses to some of its AI tools, plus AI training for PhD, postdoctoral and master’s students. The French AI firm Mistral will provide the European research community with access to its open-weight models, Vibe seats and application programming interface credits, according to the Commission’s statement. Vibe is one of the firm’s chatbot models. The idea is that more firms and foundations will come on board in the future as the initiative grows.
Is the EU research budget actually increasing?
Is a Horizon Europe budget of €158 billion a 10% cut or a significant increase to the EU’s support for research and innovation? What would seem like a question of fact has divided opinion in Brussels since the Irish presidency of the EU Council presented its negotiation box on October 10. The answer depends on factors such as how you adjust for inflation, whether you account for increases in overall EU wealth and if you care about absolute or proportional figures. The €158 billion budget in current prices, proposed by the Irish presidency of the EU Council, was quickly criticised by university lobbies and rejected by the high-level expert group led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor. It was also decried by the four pro-European political groups in the European Parliament. “How can Europe close its competitiveness gap while cutting the European Competitiveness Fund by 13% and Horizon Europe by nearly 10%?” asked a joint statement by the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens/European Free Alliance. Together, these parties hold 63% of seats in the Parliament.In stark contrast, Irish foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said that the proposal “significantly increases investment in competitiveness, research and innovation,” Meanwhile, a presidency press release said that, compared to the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the proposal would “double the volume of competitiveness related programmes.” So, who is right? That depends on how you make the calculation.Compared to the Commission figure or the previous budget?The first thing to notice is the difference in baselines. When the MEPs say the Irish presidency will cut Horizon Europe by “nearly 10%” they are using the European Commission proposal for the MFF from July 2025, which allocated €175 billion in current prices to Horizon Europe. However, when the Irish foreign affairs minister said the research and competitiveness budget is increasing significantly, she is comparing it to the 2021-27 MFF, which had a Horizon Europe budget of €84.9 billion in 2018 prices.Her point holds when accounting for inflation. Applying a 2% annual inflation rate, the calculation method used by the Commission, the 2021-27 Horizon Europe would have a budget of €97.5 billion in 2025 prices. In comparison, the Irish presidency’s €158 billion figure in current prices translates to €140 billion in 2025 prices. Does the ECF count?But there is more to the dispute. In its statements, the Irish presidency lumped the research budget in with the overall budget for competitiveness. The Parliament statement, however, kept the two separate. This matters because the next MFF includes plans to add a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to fund programmes meant to boost the continent's competitiveness. The Irish negotiating box allocated €245 billion in current prices to this programme.When this is added to the €158 billion for Horizon Europe, as well as programmes such as the EU education programme Erasmus+, the total for “competitiveness, prosperity and security” in the Irish proposal becomes €514 billion in current prices. But it is still uncertain how big a share of this competitiveness budget would go to research. The Commission proposal of July 2025 for the MFF included clear links between the ECF and Horizon Europe, indicating some ECF money will go to research. At the same time, the structure of the ECF is still being negotiated, and a substantial part of its budget is expected to support non-research activities such as defence manufacturing, decarbonisation and digital infrastructure. Related articlesCouncil floats 9.6% budget cut to next Horizon EuropeResearch community to appeal to national governments over planned EU budget cutEU own resources ‘essential’ for future research budget, says leading MEPSo, it is by looking at competitiveness rather than research, or combining the two, that the Irish presidency can claim that its proposed budget will significantly increase investment in competitiveness, research and innovation.According to the Irish presidency proposal, Horizon Europe and other competitiveness-related programmes in the current multiannual budget received €221 billion in current prices. However, since this money is being distributed from 2021 to 2027, it is not directly comparable to the €514 billion in current prices which will be distributed from 2028 to 2034.Research as a proportion of the MFFBut the relative rise in competitiveness-related programmes points to another important distinction: whether you look at the research budget in absolute terms or as a share of the overall MFF. Here, too, the size of the research budget has risen, although only slightly. In the 2021-27 MFF, Horizon Europe accounted for 7% of the total budget. In the Irish presidency’s proposal, it amounts to 8.7%. The share for the total competitiveness envelope went from 17.7% in the current MFF to 28.1% in the Irish presidency proposal.This proportional share may seem irrelevant to universities looking for research funding, but it is becoming significant as budget negotiations between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council begin. On October 2, a group of 17 southern and eastern European countries sent out a statement calling for the EU agriculture and cohesion budgets to be protected. The Parliament’s co-rapporteur on the budget, Siegfried Mureșan of the EPP, has also said that the research envelope is likely to be cut disproportionately as the budget is slimmed down during negotiations.
Will November stop Trump’s agenda?
Even a blue wave may not accomplish what Democrats are hoping for.
Medical Alley opens studio for health innovation
Plus: Crisp & Green acquires two salad chains and Rocket55 finds a buyer.
UMass Memorial Health Announces Unified Data Platform Multi-Year Initiative, Investments in AI-Powered Innovation in Partnership with Accenture and Microsoft
NEW YORK & WORCESTER, Mass., October 15, 2026--UMass Memorial Health today announced a multi-year initiative with Accenture and Microsoft to modernize its data platform.
Leading life science organizations collaborate for second London Bio-Innovation Week
One Nucleus, The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS), and ELRIG today announced that they will be collaborating during the second London Bio-Innovation Week, to facilitate multi-event and community networking and partnering opportunities for life science companies, academic researchers, bio-entrepreneurs, investors and advisers.
Democrat Charly Ray seeks open northwest Wisconsin Senate seat with focus on schools, healthcare
Charly Ray of Bayview, a member of the Bayfield County Board, is the Democratic candidate for the open 25th District Senate seat in November's 2026 election.
‘VisionQuest’ review: ‘WandaVision’ sequel an excellent examination of humanity
U2 is set to release their first full-length album of new material in nine years, titled “Carnaval De Luz.” Interscope Records announced that the album will be available on Nov.
Westfield State University unveils life sciences informatics hub
Westfield State University is scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated Center for Interdisciplinary Informatics.
Inside the Browns’ $70M plan to upgrade player facilities in Berea
The renovation will expand the locker room and player lounge, upgrade meeting and dining spaces, and address facilities that have drawn criticism from players.
University of Kentucky to host third annual One Health Symposium on Nov. 3
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the One Health Initiative invite the UK campus community, along with local and state stakeholders, to the 2026 One Health Symposium on Nov.
What is it like running a Fortune 500 business? HP’s regional CTO on adopting AI safely and motivating tech teams
Over the past few months, Fortune has spoken with senior HP leaders to understand how the company is evolving—from innovation and culture to customer engagement and the future of work.
Purdue’s Ryan Browne Has Turned Into The Quarterback We Needed
Ryan Browne has cut turnovers and improved his game. Purdue's offense is now a real threat with Browne, Fame Ijeboi, and Asaad Waseem leading the charge.
Cover to Cover: ‘Hollywood, Ending’ offers a witty, compassionate critique of the entertainment industry
In his long-awaited return to fiction, John Green tackles art, love and celebrity culture with his signature empathy and humor in his new novel, “Hollywood, Ending.” Published Sept. 22, “Hollywood, Ending” is Green’s first adult novel after a career of primarily writing teen classics like “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Looking for Alaska.” The...
Mavericks Have More Questions Than Answers After Pelicans Loss
The Mavericks could not overcome 25 turnovers and a poor night from 3-point range, while several young players received extended opportunities.
Dodgers player slams ‘soft porn’ ads during MLB postseason games
The Sydney Sweeney Novig ad has gone viral for the “creative” way it uses her fame and beauty to advertise a brand new gambling platform. But at least one Dodgers player isn’t happy that the ad, and others like it, are impacting families trying to enjoy the MLB postseason. Dodgers outfielder Alex Call replied to…
Women in Business Quarterly Mixer
The holidays can be a season of celebration-but they can also bring added stress, financial pressure, and a never-ending to-do list. Join the Culver City Chamber of Commerce for Thrive Through the Holidays: Women in Business Mixer, on Wednesday, November 4 at an evening designed to help you enter the holiday season feeling connected, prepared, and...
Find Halloween fun across New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s Halloween calendar is packed with trick-or-treating, zombie dancing, haunted trails and spooky shows, with events running through early November...
Bay Area Science Festival set for Saturday; free event to feature games, robots, animals and experiments
13th annual gathering at UC San Francisco Mission Bay Campus showcases innovation and research, with a focus on kids
California Science Center announces early reservations to see space shuttle Endeavour
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public on Nov. 13.
Nebraska holds first public hearings on ballot initiatives, including school sports measure
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office held the first of several public hearings Wednesday on proposed ballot measures that voters will decide on in the Nov. 3 general election.
Willoughby challenges Burnett for District 12 Representative, Position 2
In the Nov. 3 general election, two candidates are running for the first position in Washington’s 12th Legislative District for State House Representative. Brian Burnett is running for re-election against
Nominations open for 2026 Iowa Business Hall of Fame
The Greater Des Moines Committee is accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Business Hall of Fame, which recognizes business leaders whose leadership, accomplishments and service have made a lasting impact on Iowa’s economy and communities. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Nov. 13 and may be submitted by members of the Greater Des Moines…
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”
Get to know the candidates for Okanogan County sheriff
In the Nov. 3 general election, two candidates are running for Okanogan County Sheriff. Current Sheriff Jodie Barcus is running to be reelected and Gisberth Gonzalez is running against her.
Evaluating Where Suns' Offense Stands Heading Into Season
With questions looming over turnover troubles and backcourt rotations, Jordan Ott faces the challenge of maximizing a revamped roster to unlock the Suns' full offensive potential.
D.C. is spending billions on sports venues. Experts say the financial return isn't guaranteed
D.C. has already invested billions into building a new football stadium and renovating Capital One Arena. As the District considers new projects, George Mason University Professor Terry Clower explains why sports stadiums aren't always a sure bet.
Whose Jesus? The left and right fight over faith in the midterms.
The latest episode of "Stress Test": God is on the ballot in November.
Lawyers for Fed’s Lisa Cook call White House hearing set up by Trump ‘biased’
Her lawyer said she would not be able to attend a hearing Nov. 5 because she will be attending policy meetings in Europe
Lawyers for Fed’s Lisa Cook call White House hearing set up by Trump ‘biased’
Her lawyer said she would not be able to attend a hearing Nov. 5 because she will be attending policy meetings in Europe
Lawyers for Fed’s Lisa Cook call White House hearing set up by Trump ‘biased’
Her lawyer said she would not be able to attend a hearing Nov. 5 because she will be attending policy meetings in Europe
Early voting begins Monday
MONROE COUNTY — Registered Monroe County voters can cast ballots from Monday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 31, during early voting for the November general election, county elections officials said.
‘I’ve worked hard to get where I’m not’: Kirk Fox on comedy, tennis and his dirtbag-noir novel
Fox returns to Sterlin Harjo’s Hulu series 'The Lowdown' as he takes on more writing and acting projects, saying finishing the novel helped him believe he could complete something.
Choctaw Nation Doctor Appointed to Health Tribal Advisory Committee
Overview: The Chief of Staff of Choctaw Nations Health Service has been appointed to a federal tribal health advisory committee. Dr. Amanda Chisum-Price has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Tribal Advisory Committee as an At-Large Delegate. She currently serves […]
Elizabeth Keckly Center, WHUP FM present Hillsborough Harvest Festival
WHUP 104.7 FM and the Elizabeth Keckly Center at the Burwell School invite the community to celebrate the season at the Hillsborough Harvest Festival on Saturday, November 7, from 12–4
Boston Mayor Joins Effort to Protect Legal Cannabis in Massachusetts
Mayor Michelle Wu is the latest in a list of a growing number of high-profile figures endorsing the ‘No on 8’ campaign to protect the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws against a prohibitionist-backed ballot Question 8 in the November mid-term election.
Smith Entertainment Group shares vision for reimagined Salt Lake City downtown
Smith Entertainment Group has unveiled the plans for a 4-block, 35-acre development that’s linked to the renovation of Delta Center and will reshape Salt Lake City’s downtown.
Positive Quail Surveys Signal Another Successful Season Ahead
uail season kicks off Nov. 1, and the annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) roadside survey signaled good population numbers going into opening day. Good habitat conditions, along with timely rainfall, helped bobwhite and scaled quail production.
Hill City Sports Center to host Open House Weekend in celebration of newly renovated court space
Hill City Sports Center is hosting an Open House Weekend to celebrate the opening of their newly renovated court space!
Leading Life Science Organisations Collaborate for Second London Bio-Innovation Week
One Nucleus, SLAS, and ELRIG will connect their communities through cross-event networking and partnering opportunities during London Bio-Innovation Week, taking place 7th - 11th December 2026
Florida State University professor explains how short-form video is changing political debates
As November’s midterm elections approach, political debates emerge at the forefront for many voters. But as more people turn to short-form video,
How the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake changes the classic game’s script
At the start of the iconic 1998 Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, our playable hero Link wakes up in his tree cabin, heads outside and is greeted by his friend Saria. “Yahoo! Hi, Stotil!" she says. In other people’s copies of the games, she might say “Hi, Link!” or “Hi, Brick!” or use whatever other name the player was allowed to input when first launching the game. The more important point is that she starts with a “Yahoo!” In Nintendo’s 2011 remake of Ocarina of Time for the 3DS handheld, Saria greets Link with that same word. But for the 2026 Switch 2 re-remake of Ocarina of Time, out November 5, Saria’s salutation has changed: “Hello, Link!” she exclaims. There’s no “Yahoo” to be heard. Last month, in an official Nintendo video preview, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma described the remake as a “faithful interpretation using modern technologies.” Faithful means the gameplay hasn’t changed much. Dungeons, quests, and just generally what you do in the game doesn’t seem to have changed, not based on what Nintendo has shown nor the hour of the game I played in New York City a couple of weeks ago. The graphics have been overhauled. The controls have been tweaked. Players can now manually control the camera and make Link jump with the press of a button, both notable differences from the original 1998 design. But Link’s journey appears to take the same path, with the same obstacles in its way. The remake’s biggest alteration to Ocarina of Time that I’ve spotted so far just might be the script. About the game’s story, Aonuma said in September, “We’ve added quite a lot of new dialogue for the characters, so that their personalities shine even more.” Earlier this month, I played a chunk of the Ocarina of Time remake at a Nintendo showcase. In the game’s earliest moments, I made a point of talking to characters and recording what they said. I found the script to be more colorful, more natural in its phrasing, more careful to establish its characters, and certainly more wordy even with the removal of that one “Yahoo!”. I’ve got some very early-game examples, so you can judge the new writing for yourself.
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.
Watch the trailer for ‘The Greatest,’ the Muhammad Ali series coming to Prime Video November 4
Novant Health unveils possible plans for 70-bed Rock Hill hospital
Novant Health released a possible look at a 70-bed hospital in Rock Hill.
Avatar Entertainment Adapting Vicente Vallés Novel ‘La Caza Del Ejector’ As TV Series
EXCLUSIVE: Avatar Entertainment has acquired rights to Spanish journalist Vicente Vallés’ novel Hunting the Executioner (La Caza del Ejecutor). The London- and L.A.-based production and management com...
Avatar Entertainment Adapting Novel 'La Caza Del Ejector' As TV Series
Avatar Entertainment has acquired rights to Spanish journalist Vicente Vallés' novel 'Hunting the Executioner' ('La Caza del Ejecutor')
Avatar Entertainment Adapting Novel 'La Caza Del Ejector' As TV Series
Avatar Entertainment has acquired rights to Spanish journalist Vicente Vallés' novel 'Hunting the Executioner' ('La Caza del Ejecutor')
Tonight on NOVA: From “These Tiny Little Mistakes”
“Life continues to create itself,” “evolution is entirely built on these tiny little mistakes.”
David Mirkovic Returns to Practice, Eyes Season Opener Against FDU
Illinois sophomore David Mirkovic has returned to practice following offseason foot surgery, but his availability for the November 2 season opener against FDU remains uncertain.
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.
BUSINESS UPDATE: Port Perseveres Despite Tariffs’ Negative Impact
‘We are hanging tough ... in an environment that is incredibly difficult to do business in right now,” the port’s director says By Stefan Yablonski Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have hurt the Port of Oswego by slashing Canadian aluminum cargo volumes and reducing revenue. “We’re doing good. We are hanging tough. It is a tough time for our line of business in general, you know with these tariffs and the amount of Canadian aluminum that we see through our docks,” said the new executive director, Tom Drumm. “Compared to 2025, we are doing exceedingly well in traffic coming in; not necessarily the volumes we were seeing, but yeah we are hanging tough in an environment that is incredibly difficult to do business in right now.” “I don’t know where people get these numbers to be honest. We have never publicly stated how much our revenue is down or up or left to right. We don’t have a strong sense of those revenue numbers until the shipping season really closes up. We won’t have an accurate picture of the revenue standpoint until after the shipping season, typically in late November,” he added. “What I can tell you is several of our Canadian vessels that carry the aluminum cells — the volume of aluminum on those vessels we have seen decreasing. That is attributed to a few factors. One is where Novelis is in in their restart process. Novelis is rocking and rolling right now. They are starting to pull a lot of aluminum from the port of Oswego, the aluminum that they roll down into coils. “Another factor plainly is the tariffs. Canadian aluminum is tariffed at 50%. So, on those vessels we are seeing lower numbers than we would like. We’d like to see vessels carrying roughly 10,000 metric tons of aluminum. Over the course of this year, we have seen more in the range of 4,000 to 6,000. “Every piece of that aluminum that we receive here by vessel at the port is from Canada and is subsequently hit with the 50% tariff. It directly affects us because we’ve received less volume than we would traditionally see pre-tariff times.” When the port receives less aluminum from those vessels it means less hours for the ILA (International Longshoremen Association) as far as folks that work on the dock, he said. When cargo declines, it affects everyone, fewer hours for longshoremen, fewer loads for truck drivers, fewer rail shipments and less business for local suppliers. “Outside of the aluminum that comes in by vessel, the port topped out at having roughly 4,600 aluminum ingots stored on site at the port. That project had never been done before. The port of Oswego had never had that many of those size ingots in our yard,” he said. “It has been a busy summer for the ILA. Would we like to see more work for them? Sure. They are working all those barges when they come in, but as opposed to working 15 hours they might be working seven or eight hours. It hasn’t been a distinct decline in ILA hours. There has been plenty of work to keep our guys busy throughout the summer.” More salt “We just brought salt back to the port in several, several years. Around Harborfest time at one point we had a salt barge here with about 24,000 metric tons of rock salt and we had an aluminum barge here the same week. We had close to 40 men working,” he said. “Yeah, the other products definitely keep us busy. The salt project was a massive project, one that we are proud of. I’ve got 24,000 metric tons of salt on site that has to go somewhere — that’s going to be another project.” It is important for the port to continue to look at different products, different commodities to try to diversify some of its revenue, he said, adding, “We have done a pretty good job of that in my first five months here … particularly with the rock salt we have on site right now. It is important to continue to try to stand out and work through some projects outside our usual business. I enjoy it. It is a challenge every single day we put our head down and we try our best.”
BUSINESS UPDATE: Attracting World-Renowned Piercing Educators to Oswego
Growing number of renowed piercers are coming to Oswego to share knowledge at newly opened Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite Submited by Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique [caption id=attachment_11066 align=alignright width=450] Recent opening of Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite.[/caption] Professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland and India have come to Oswego’s Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique to share their knowledge In the past year and a half, the Port City has become a destination for some of the industry’s most respected educators through the efforts of the Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. Beginning in January of 2025, Aqua Spa Float Center envisioned a new version of body piercing, one where elegance, safety and personal expression could converge. According to the Aqua Spa, piercing is no longer just a trend — it’s a refined form of personal identity, luxury styling and self-investment. It’s not only about the jewelry — it’s about the entire experience. The team welcomed first guest piercer Ruben Triguero, a senior French piercer, piercing stylist and international educator, who has over two decades of experience and has worked in some of the world’s best studios, including Paris, Rome, New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Dubai. In those studios, he offered his expertise and refined styling skills. Triguero is a prominent figure and leader in the piercing community and shares his knowledge with piercers teaching classes for the industry’s most prestigious organizations, including Latinoamérica Body Piercing Association (LBP) and Association of Professional Piercers (APP). He is currently the senior international instructor of the APP. Triguero has a passion for creating stunning, personalized piercings for clients around the world. Education and Mentorship Following a year of success and popularity, Aqua Spa Float Center hosted the grand opening of its private dedicated piercing suite in March. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness celebrated this next chapter with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino, members of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and community members. The educational focus, aligned with Aqua Spa Float Center’s vision and mission, had already begun expanding beyond clients. Aqua Spa has hosted multiple workshops and continuing education opportunities for professional piercers, inviting studios from across the region to gain hands-on experience from internationally recognized instructors without the expense of traveling to national or international conferences. These educational events have welcomed nationally and internationally recognized professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland, India, and throughout the United States. Aqua Spa also continues to collaborate with talented regional and local professionals, creating opportunities for education and mentorship that benefit both industry peers and clients throughout Central New York. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique owners — Tammy Wilkinson and Terry LeRoi — have been deeply rooted in the piercing industry with over 30 years in business as LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery. Combining that experience with holistic wellness, self-care and self-expression is the new concept with the client Luxe Piercing Experience at the Aqua Spa Float Center. “At LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center, we’ve been fortunate to work with many of the world’s most respected piercers through our involvement with the Association of Professional Piercers and by attending conferences across North America and Europe,” said LeRoi, founder of LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and co-owner of Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. “Those experiences have shown us that education is what drives our industry forward. “Not every piercer or studio can travel to major conferences like the APP Conference in Las Vegas or APP Benelux in the Netherlands, so we’re committed to bringing that level of education here. Hosting internationally respected educators like Jef Saunders allows our clients to experience the highest standards of professional piercing while giving piercers throughout the Northeast the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the profession. That’s something we’re incredibly proud to offer our community.” When asked about the client experience, Wilkinson explained that education is at the heart of every appointment as well. “Our vision is to nurture and enhance wellness, balance and harmony through a multi-modality-centered facility, and we aspire to empower sustained, positive change, well-being and self-awareness; and educate to the benefits of natural health, holistic wellness and life balance,” Wilkison explains. “Piercing is no different. The piercing experience feels just as peaceful and rejuvenating as any other spa services. From the moment our clients arrive, they are in the very best hands with our kind and professional Wellness Ambassadors and experienced APP guest piercers.” Wilkinson also explained that piercing clients receive stellar care: every Luxe Piercing appointment includes a one-on-one private piercing in Aqua Spa’s dedicated piercing suite, their choice of custom jewellery by LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery, thorough after-care instructions and complementary check-up appointment, complementary whole-body red light therapy session in the Class II NovoTHOR medical device to promote healing, and access to many rejuvenating spa services. Piercing clients get 15% off during any event. According to Wilkinson, “Health and safety are always our highest priority when you come in for a piercing or jewelry installation. Before each appointment, all tools and jewelry are sterilized in a Statim autoclave, and every surface in the piercing room is carefully disinfected. During the procedure, your piercer will wear a mask and change gloves as needed to maintain a sterile environment. Once your piercing is complete, your piercer will go over detailed aftercare instructions with you. Following these steps is crucial to ensure proper healing before you leave our sanctuary.” As a part of the experience, guest piercers include a thorough anatomy review of the client’s desired piercing to ensure the new addition will work in harmony with the existing. “Our clients are enjoying building and creating ear curations with these international professionals. It’s a unique styling event and a chance to highlight self-expression,” Wilkinson said. Clients and piercers throughout the region are flocking to this piercing destination in Upstate New York. The Luxe Piercing Experience has welcomed clients and piercers alike from around the globe. Owners Wilkinson and LeRoi hope to continue the momentum with more educational seminars with industry experts to be a hub of knowledge and expertise. They hope to establish LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center as legacy businesses known for their lasting, positive impact on the piercing and holistic wellness industries.