SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " dea " 16,620 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Bridgeport community rallying around business, residents after Labor Day fire
Officials say the fire started in the used car dealership and then spread to a boat and car.
Vikings Projected to Likely Strike NFL QB Deal Before Deadline
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay named Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy the most likely signal-caller to be traded during the 2026 NFL season. The post Vikings Projected to Likely Strike NFL QB Deal Before Deadline appeared first on HEAVY.
Undefeated Anthony Wint Books Second UFC Fight in 43 Days
Former NFL player Anthony Wint has booked his second UFC fight in 43 days. The undefeated athlete out of Homestead, Florida, fights on the UFC 332 card on October 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He takes on promotional newcomer Lucas Armand in the heavyweight division. The UFC announced the fight on the Dana White’s […] The post Undefeated Anthony Wint Books Second UFC Fight in 43 Days appeared first on HEAVY.
Rams Pro Bowler States Clear Goal for the 2026 Season
Los Angeles Rams EDGE rusher Byron Young states his goals for the 2026 season as he enters the final year of his rookie contract The post Rams Pro Bowler States Clear Goal for the 2026 Season appeared first on HEAVY.
Myles Garrett injury: Are 49ers catching another break vs. Rams?
The San Francisco 49ers aren't the only team dealing with injury question marks on their defensive line entering Week 1 vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Bruins’s Casey Mittelstadt Gets Honest About 1st Year In Boston
It won’t be long now before the Boston Bruins gather for Training Camp in preparation for the 2026-27 NHL Season, and they’ll be out to prove that they’re better than losing in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they did earlier this spring.One of the key forwards for the Bruins is Casey […] The post Bruins’s Casey Mittelstadt Gets Honest About 1st Year In Boston appeared first on HEAVY.
Trump transport chief blasts Ford’s business deals with Chinese firms
CEO Jim Farley hit back, saying the letter urging him to cut ties with firms like China’s CATL, Geely and BYD was ‘wrong-headed’.
Classic, luxury car business plans to move into old Stevenson Lumber building
MONROE, Conn. --- Carsation, a used car dealership specializing in classic and luxury automobiles, from Porsches and Mercedes to BMWs and Land Rovers, plans to renovate the former Stevenson Lumber building at 1545 Monroe Turnpike to display its cars in a showroom for customers, though the vast majority of its business is done online. Duane
Alex Michelsen’s Mysterious Girlfriend Draws Attention at US Open
Alex Michelsen and his girlfriend, Caroline, continue to keep a low profile during his successful run at the 2026 US Open. The post Alex Michelsen’s Mysterious Girlfriend Draws Attention at US Open appeared first on HEAVY.
Yolo County reports its first West Nile virus death of 2026
Yolo County has reported its first death from West Nile virus this year as health officials say mosquito activity increases across the county and throughout California.
Vallejo’s Empress Theatre amps up entertainment offerings, dining
“The idea is simple: there should be something happening often enough that people throughout Vallejo, Solano County, and the greater Bay Area can make the Empress part of their regular week,” says the Empress Threatre.
ABC denies 'inaccurate' report 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will end in 2027
Amid speculation about Jimmy Kimmel's late-night tenure coming to an end, ABC is pushing back. On Sept. 8, Page Six reported that this season of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," will be
Let’s Grade That Win Over Coastal Carolina by Position Group
Hope everybody enjoyed the holiday the right way. Grill going, family around, maybe a cold drink in your hand, and a win in the books to talk about while you do it. That’s the good life. Before we get too deep into the cookout, let’s talk about what we saw Saturday, because there’s a lot […]
Not hitting your step goal? Pick up the pace
Walking at a brisker pace may lower the risk of early death, even for people who don’t reach high daily step counts, a new study found. Here’s what experts recommend.
Detroit businesses face costly repairs after tornado tears through east side
Billy Joel mourns friend and former drummer Jon Small
NEW YORK — Billy Joel mourned the death of his friend and former bandmate, drummer Jon Small, on Monday. He was in his late 70s. “RIP Jon Small,” Joel posted
AMC will pay $120 million to settle 'Walking Dead' profits lawsuit
LOS ANGELES — AMC Global Media, the network behind the storied zombie franchise "The Walking Dead," has settled a yearslong profits lawsuit from the show's creator and producers. The New
Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine in 'extremely frank' call
Washington has been pushing for fresh face-to-face talks between Moscow and Kyiv to reach a peace deal
Jamison Battle’s Preparation Could Earn Him More Raptors Minutes
Toronto has a reserve shooter worth examining closely, especially when his limited opportunities arrive without much warning.
Dolly Parton's sister slams 'fake AI garbage' following icon's death
In a Sept. 4 Instagram statement, Dolly Parton's sister Stella Parton thanked fans for the “genuine” support, urging supporters to use her sister’s life as an “example for tolerance and respect towards others.”
Sabres Division Rival Signs Young Center To Long-Term Deal
Blackstone explores sale of ZO Skin Health, sources say
Investment firm Blackstone is looking to sell medical-grade skincare company ZO Skin Health, which could be valued at around $2 billion in any deal, according to people familiar with the matter.
Southern Union names Pike dean of health sciences
CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC OPELIKA — Southern Union State Community College has named Dr. Richard Pike as dean of health sciences. Pike assumed the position Sept. 1 following the retirement of Dean Rhonda Davis. A graduate of Southern Union, Pike earned an associate in science degree and his emergency medical technician certification from the college. He […]
Patriots rule TreVeyon Henderson out for Wednesday night
Red Dead Redemption 2 free expansion is a new story set within an alternate timeline
If you need more post-game content, you've found it.
College Football Has Completely Lost Its Mind
College football has been back for one full week . That’s it. And somehow we already have a tweet perfectly summarizing just how ridiculous this season has become. LSU is dealing with a legal fight that has reached the point where SEC leaders could vote on whether to expel the school from the conference. Western…
Wellston firefighter's death highlights toll of wildland firefighting, gaps in health monitoring
A retired truck driver with just four months on the job with the Wellston Fire Department died while trying to protect his community from a wildfire.
Dario Russo's 'The Fox' Acquired By Aura Entertainment For Theaters
Aura Entertainment has acquired Dario Russo's 'The Fox,' starring Sam Neill, Olivia Colman & more with a theatrical release date set in December.
Buffalo Bills name 6 captains for 2026 NFL season
Who joins quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Terrell Bernard as an official captain for the Buffalo Bills in 2026?
Cowboys trade rumor could lead to blockbuster in-season deal
The Dallas Cowboys could be in for an eventful start to the 2026-27 NFL season.
Exclusive: Two of gaming’s biggest names are making a big investment in gaming’s future
The first thing to know about the Nova Games Foundation is that it isn’t about The Game Awards. And it’s not about PlayStation. The ambitious new grant program is the brainchild of Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny. Keighley is the host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest and Opening Night Live. Cerny is a game designer of some 45 years and the lead architect for the PlayStation 4 and 5. But this new thing, which they’re revealing through Game File, isn’t about their day jobs. It’s an unaffiliated, standalone philanthropic project. It’s a bet on the artistic future of video games and a way, they tell me, to give back. “I’m nearing the end of my career,” Cerny recently told me over email. “I’m not done yet, but paying it forward—in the best way possible—is very much on my mind these days,” The Nova Games Foundation is a university-affiliated fellowship program, intended to offer six-figure grants to 20 young game designers each year, potentially for decades to come. It will offer no-strings-attached funding along with mentorship from games industry leaders, a combination intended to aid the development of groundbreaking new games, Cerny and Keighley told me. Nova will begin accepting applications in December, from class of 2026 and 2027 students from 13 affiliated gaming programs at universities in eight countries. The schools working with Nova include the New York University and the University of Southern California in the U.S., along with Abertay University in Scotland, Cnam-Enjmin in France, TH Köln in Germany, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, Cerny and Keighley said. The plan: $100,000 per recipient, with about a quarter of Nova fellows eligible for up to $500,000 more for projects that are shaping up particularly well. Payments will be delivered based on development milestones, and recipients will own their games. Nova will help promote the work, and developers will be free to pursue the publishers and platforms of their choice. Nova can help introduce fellows to publishers, but won’t take a cut. “I’ve always wanted to give back, but given my role in the industry, I’ve never felt it appropriate to commercially invest in games,” Keighley told Game File. “I’ve never owned stock in a game company or taken a financial stake in a game. Nova is philanthropy: we aren’t taking equity or looking to recoup the grants. The return we’re hoping for is creative—helping new voices make games and find their footing. “Mark and I have each made multi-million-dollar donations to establish the foundation, and we intend to keep contributing. We hope others will join us.” Cerny and Keighley have already hired an executive director, John Maconga, and a head of grants, recent Game Developers Conference director Ashley Corrigan, to help launch the effort. They’re working to recruit game industry leaders to join the effort. Keighley says “dozens of leading game directors have already expressed interest in contributing their time.” To name one, they’ve already gotten Josef Fares, lead designer from It Takes Two and Spit Fiction studio Hazelight on board with a donation and pledge to help out. “I’m proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life,” Fares told Game File. A plan forged from a friendship Keighley and Cerny have known each other a long time. It’s been so long, Cerny isn’t even sure exactly when they met. “We travel in much the same circles and I’m sure first intersected in the 90s or early 2000s,“ Cerny said. Keighley thinks it might have been during his stint writing a column about the mid-’90s console 3DO for a gaming magazine while Cerny was working on games with Crystal Dynamics or on Way of the Warrior with Naughty Dog. They became genuine friends about a 10 years ago, Keighley said, as they bonded over a shared love of games and a hope to improve the industry. “About a decade ago, we started having dinner a few times a year in LA,” Keighley said. “Just to catch up on life and the industry. Those conversations continued over Zoom during COVID. Nova grew out of that friendship and a question we kept coming back to: ‘What could we do to help the next generation of game directors get started?’” Keighley credits Cerny with the idea to figure out a way to put their money and time back into the industry. At one of those dinners, Keighley proposed the idea of a fellowship program. He’d recalled applying for a Rhodes Scholarship when he was younger. “Spoiler: I didn’t get it,” he said. He’d admired the MacArthur Foundation’s so-called “genius grants.” He liked these kinds of programs that recognized people’s talents and gave them the financial boost and the freedom to realize their potential. With Cerny, he had pondered what a game industry version of that could be. Keighley liked the idea of centering the fellowship on students, drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Jenova Chen, the USC game design graduate who went on to lead the creation of gently moving, ambitious games such as Flower and Journey. Keighley also thought it could be useful to help promising graduates bridge the transition from student to professional. “Joining an established studio isn’t always possible—especially in today’s market—and even then, it isn’t the right path for everyone,” Keighley said. A fellowship, he realized, could give “graduates the time, resources and guidance to pursue a game of their own and not worry about the commercial viability.” As the idea took shape, Cerny also saw an opportunity to enable more games of a certain type: “The target with the grants is games as an artistic medium,” Cerny told me. “We like to say games with ‘artistic, literary and societal value.’” He added: “I’m a pretty big gamer myself, though I tend to gravitate towards the smaller and more unique or artistic titles, games like Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray or Outer Wilds. I was just playing and Roger on a flight to Japan, and was getting misty eyed to a degree that I was concerned that a flight attendant would ask me if I was OK. “So one fun benefit here is the games that will come out of the Nova Games Foundation – I can’t wait to play them myself.” Cerny believes it will also be useful for Nova fellows to hone their craft and team leadership skills. “We are looking for the next generation of visionaries,” he said. “The trick is that they will also need to have the executive function necessary to drive a small project to completion.” Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Going big with this Keighley and Cerny may have started Nova and may be the ones primarily backing it right now, but they’re dreaming of something that goes beyond them. “Mark and I may have helped get it started, but one of our measures of success is that Nova grows into something the entire games industry feels a sense of ownership in,” Keighley said. “Our ambition is to build a lasting endowment supported by people and companies across the industry, and an equally broad community of creators willing to give their time and experience to the next generation.” The industry has a lot of knowledge that it can pass to the next generation, Keighley said: “Nova can hopefully become a way to connect that generosity with talented young creators at the moment when it can make the biggest difference.” Cerny, who told me he believes Nova can mature “over the next 10 or 20 years,” sees an opportunity to give generations of game makers momentum. “The industry has changed immeasurably since I started in games in 1982,” he said. “These graduates have talent, training and tools that outclass what we had back in the day by an astonishing amount. But they face a tough road ahead getting traction in the industry, and many could benefit from our support. We want to be there to give it to them.” “There’s a personal side to this, too,” Keighley said. “I don’t have children, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I can do for future generations. Games have been my entire career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and helping someone else build a life in this industry feels like a meaningful way to give back.” Cerny’s oeuvre dates back to Marble Madness and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He has stood on stage multiple times to reveal the future of PlayStation hardware. He’s been an executive producer for a string of modern PlayStation classics such as The Last Guardian and Marvel’s Spider-Man. Nevertheless, of Nova, he said, “It’s certainly not like anything I’ve done before.” Nova Foundation applications will be due in December and the first wave of fellows will be announced in March 2027. A full list of participating universities and steps students and recent graduates can take to apply to become a Nova Fellow is forthcoming.
Trump administration blasts Ford business deals with Chinese firms
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday blasted Ford Motor's business partnerships with Chinese companies, saying they pose deep national security concerns. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a ...
Trump administration blasts Ford business deals with Chinese firms
WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday blasted Ford Motor's business partnerships with Chinese companies, saying it poses deep national security concerns. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a letter to Fo...
Trump administration blasts Ford business deals with Chinese firms
The Trump administration on Tuesday blasted Ford Motor's business partnerships with Chinese companies, saying it poses deep national security concerns.
Trump Administration Blasts Ford Business Deals With Chinese Firms
WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday blasted Ford Motor's business partnerships with Chinese companies, saying it poses deep national security concerns. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley sent on Tuesday said ...
Ham: Kings Rejected LaVine-Young Swap
As the Sacramento Kings continue to rebuild, the front office has clearly put a focus on getting younger. Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are two players to monitor as the season progresses to see if the team is looking to deal one of their former NBA All-Stars.
'The most expensive choice on the ballot': Sierra Club opposes 'devastating' Amendment 3
The proposal could take away money needed to deal with climate change.
Beacon Behavioral Health Partners Acquires 2 Texas Providers
Beacon Behavioral Health Partners is continuing its acquisition efforts with the purchase of Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) providers Prime Psychiatry and
Beacon Behavioral Health Partners Acquires 2 Texas Providers
Beacon Behavioral Health Partners is continuing its acquisition efforts with the purchase of Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) providers Prime Psychiatry and
Mysterious elk deaths in Nevada could offer clues about health of herds across the West
An unusual pattern of springtime elk deaths for more than a decade in northern Nevada has scientists searching for answers. What they find could shed light on broader questions about wildlife health across the West.
Mysterious elk deaths in Nevada could offer clues about health of herds across the West
An unusual pattern of springtime elk deaths for more than a decade in northern Nevada has scientists searching for answers. What they find could shed light on broader questions about wildlife health across the West.
NFL media hires two veterans as new analysts
NFL Media is bolstering its ranks ahead of the 2026 season with a pair of familiar names. The league’s media arm is undergoing a transition this season with NFL Network now under the umbrella of ESPN. That arrangement is part of the equity deal that now sees the league as a minority owner in the…
Meet Rachel Chen, the 18-year-old Los Angeles student who expanded a 1997 quantum-math idea to describe entire particle systems with simple diagrams; she won $100,000
At just 18, Rachel Chen has taken a decades-old mathematical idea and expanded it into a visual framework for understanding complex quantum systems, earning her a $100,000 award in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Ram Getz & Michael Mortensen Launch i80 Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)
Ram Getz and Michael Mortensen, partners at GM Management, have launched i80 Entertainment, a new independent production company.
Russia launches massive, deadly, and ‘complex’ attack against Ukraine
Fighting between Ukraine and Russia commenced after a 72-hour pause for diplomatic visits to both countries by U.S. officials. Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine on Tuesday, firing dozens of cruise missiles and over 140 drones as the war raged on after this weekend’s peace talks brokered by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve […]
Is Trump’s midterm convention a flop before the doors even open?
Trump says he wants to energize Republican candidates before the midterms. Dozens are keeping their distance anyway.
‘The View’ Hosts Miserably Fail Trivia About Their Experiences on the Show: ‘I Have No Idea What That Was’
The hosts of "The View" don't remember a whole lot of what they've done on the show over the years, and proved that on Tuesday
Lewandowski Tried to Slide Into Foreign Side Deals at DHS
A new report alleges Lewandowski pitched Qatar and UAE about hiring him on thew sly while he worked for Kristi Noem.
Amazon Is Taking Preorder Requests for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETBs Well Below Market Price, Marking a Rare First for US Collectors
Amazon US is accepting invite requests for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETBs at $89.99—roughly $90 below market resale value on TCGplayer.
Sony is reportedly preparing a big update for the PS5 and PS5 Pro with improvements to PSSR 2.0 upscaling
Sony is reportedly getting ready to release a major new system update for the PS5, with firmware version 14.0 currently is beta.
Apple to Introduce All-New 'Readiness' App Tomorrow
Apple plans to announce an all-new "Readiness" app during its "Surprise and Shine" event this Wednesday, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a social media post today, Gurman said the "Readiness" app will be a "variant" of the existing Vitals app on the Apple Watch. "The idea is to better compete with software from Whoop and Oura," he said.
Week 1 Reminded Us Why College Football Is the Best
College football is officially back. And somehow, Week 1 already gave us enough storylines for an entire season. The biggest statement came from LSU . Lane Kiffin’s debut couldn’t have gone much better, as No. 11 LSU absolutely destroyed Clemson 51-10 in Death Valley. LSU piled up 644 yards while holding Clemson to just 145.…
Jason Priestley recalls ‘flatlining’ in helicopter after 2002 near-death experience: ‘I bled to death’
The “Beverly Hills, 90210” actor crashed a car going nearly 180 mph while practicing for a race.
WKRC-TV adding 3 p.m. newscast, Sunday politics show
Former WXIX-TV anchor Rebecca Smith also returns to TV as Local 12’s new health reporter, filling the vacancy from the death of Liz Bonis in April.
Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in drug case
Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death for an alleged drug trafficking scheme.
Review: SteelSeries Aeon Pro: The Infinite Battery Life, Dual-System Xbox and PC Controller Impresses, Despite Its High Price
Borrowing the best ideas from the firm's Arctis Nova Pro headset lineup.
Canada’s Top 25 Entertainment Dealmakers of 2026
Trump’s trade war has given the country’s entertainment industry something it hasn’t had in years: leverage, swagger and a hit list of its own.
Robinhood Lands Crypto.com Deal, Underwriting Job For Oura. Goldman Hikes Target.
Robinhood takes minority stake in Crypto.com with prediction market deal, to underwrite Oura IPO, reports say. Goldman lifts price target.
Sheff Utd sign experienced forward Ayew
Sheffield United sign former Crystal Palace and Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew on a deal until the end of the season.
40-goal Crystal Palace youth striker completes Arsenal transfer
Mylo Bernard has completed his transfer to Arsenal, with the Gunners confirming he’s joining on a scholarship deal with professional terms pre-agreed.Photo via Arsenal.comArsenal have officially ann...
Inside the Christian Gonzalez deal
Jalen Duren contract talks take a positive turn
Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain without a deal, but new reporting suggests the contract gap may be narrowing.
Corning Stock Climbs On Multibillion-Dollar Verizon Network Deal
Corning stock rose after the provider of optical communications gear for telecom networks announced a multi-billion agreement with Verizon.
U.S. Senator Reed discuses efforts to reverse Trump administration's cuts to health care
U.S. Senator Jack Reed is set to discuss the effort to reverse the Trump administration’s cuts to the nation’s health care system.He will discuss these on Tuesd
The New York Times
Seven of Ukraine’s top 10 military contractors won new business despite open criminal investigations for fraud, failures to deliver on earlier deals or the arrest of chief executives for corruption,...
Navan in Partnership With Engine
Deal said to provide customers with more choices on extended stays and group trips
Alonso on injuries, Estevao reports and being 'self-demanding'
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:00 BST). Caicedo could be back for Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City, though. Levi Colwill will be available for selection, but Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will not feature.
Patriots make Christian Gonzalez the NFL's highest-paid cornerback, AP sources say
Christian Gonzalez has agreed to a four-year, $135 million contract with the New England Patriots that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday. One of the people said Gonzalez is getting $102 million guaranteed. Gonzalez surpassed Devon Witherspoon's new contract from the Seattle Seahawks.
Honda brings Mamadou Diallo back to lead its U.S. auto business
Honda brings Mamadou Diallo back to lead its U.S. auto business, giving dealers a familiar executive with deep Honda and Acura experience.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment reaches multi-year deal with bet365
Your best source for quality Washington Wizards news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
President of one of Alabama’s oldest businesses dead at 67: ‘A true Southern gentleman’
Founded in 1836, the Alabama company is the oldest family-owned retailer in the U.S.
Six decades of politics (but little government)
The first aired episode of “Star Trek,” entitled “The Man Trap,” premiered on September 8, 1966 — 60 years ago today. I’m actually editing a political science fiction issue of The Forum right now, and it’s prompted to me think a lot about the ways that Trek deals with politics and government and what it’s offered us as commentary. The @smotus report is a reader-supported publication. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe The original TV series ran from 1966 to 1969. It had a loyal but modest following, but the audience grew substantially with the series in syndication for years after that. The franchise developed its first motion picture in 1979, followed by five sequels, and then a whole other series of films built around the “Next Generation” series that first aired in 1987. In recent decades, several more TV series have built up around it, including the current “Strange New Worlds,” now in its fourth season. Throughout the past six decades, the franchise has offered us a good many insights into US politics and international relations, although often disguised as science fiction yarns. The original series was largely a Cold War fable, with the United Federation of Planets (a stand-in for the US) perpetually at odds with the Klingon Empire (a stand-in for the USSR). The “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” episode (1969) posited a planet divided into two races, largely indistinguishable to outsiders, but nonetheless constituting a brutal racial hierarchy. “Patterns of Force” (1968) showed a struggling planet where the leader had attempted to construct a benevolent dictatorship — literally Nazism without bigotry — and found that authoritarianism could not exist apart from hierarchy and oppression. (Relatedly, I’d put “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” high on a list of dad films about the end of the Cold War, near “The Hunt for Red October.”) Get 20% off for 1 year Indeed, the original series itself was something of a political statement, with a multi-racial crew running the Enterprise, a diverse and largely peaceful Federation mostly free from want and oppression, and protected by Starfleet, an armed force whose scientific mission was at least as important as its military one. Famously, when Nichelle Nichols wanted to walk away from the role of Uhura on the original series, none other than Martin Luther King, Jr. met with her and urged her to remain on the show, discussing the importance of viewers seeing an intelligent Black woman as part of the command team three centuries hence. Later series in the Trek franchise offered a good deal of political commentary on their own, but probably none as explicitly and incisively as “Deep Space Nine,” which ran from 1993 to 1999. The episodes surrounding the Dominion War, especially the “In The Pale Moonlight” (1998), showed the compromises, sacrifices, and moral rot associated with winning even a just war — probably better than any series would until “Andor” (2022-25). In “Far Beyond The Stars” (1998), Captain Benjamin Sisko is somehow transplanted to the role of a science fiction writer in 1950s New York. The writer is frequently sidelined and his ideas stolen because publishers don’t want to credit a Black writer. Several series have depicted the secretive Section 31 — an unacknowledged black ops security force operating within Starfleet. These episodes often end up using Section 31 as a foil to show the dangers of a lawless group within a lawful society, even (especially) when that group posits itself as essential for everyone else’s freedom to continue. The current “Strange New Worlds” has played with a few political themes. I found the first two seasons of this show among the best that the Trek franchise has produced in decades, but this season and the last have really been struggling for ideas. Yet one interesting thread is the idea that the diplomatic and enlightened leadership style of Captain Christopher Pike will not work in all situations. “A Quality of Mercy” (2022), which I wrote about here, puts Pike in the middle of a battle with a Romulan vessel in an alternate timeline, and finds that Pike’s conciliatory style would actually make a lengthy and deadly war more likely, while a quick and more violent approach might have prevented the war. This season’s opener, “Valles Marineris,” shows a pre-lightspeed civilization locked in a war to the death with a neighboring planet. The idea of an alliance or a federation hasn’t even occurred to them — their ship’s commander is curious but doesn’t see it as an option. For a franchise as political as “Star Trek,” one thing we almost never see is the government. We get occasional glimpses of Starfleet’s council — mostly uniformed people at a rectangular table — but almost no sense of how the Federation is governed. Are there elections? Who is in the legislature? How much power does the president have? What kind of factional divisions do they wrestle with and how? The shows and films are pretty silent on this. We’ve seen a few military tribunals within Starfleet, but little about how civilians deal with crime and injustice. With recent years seeing some of the franchise’s more interesting plot lines and casts, it seems clear that Star Trek is still full of energy and ideas. Given the erosion of American democracy and the reshuffling of the international order, there’s no shortage of material for future shows to comment on. I’m not sure we should toast to 60 more years, but cheers to a show that continues to teach us about ourselves. Share
Midterm elections shaping up as big business for gamblers in the rough and rowdy world of prediction markets
“This is a troubling trend that election administrators across the nation must deal with,” said Jared DeMarinis of the Maryland State Board of Elections.
988 Day: Do you know about the 911 for mental health emergencies?
Hundreds of people in Maine die by suicide each year. There is a hotline you can call if you or a loved one is facing a mental health crisis. Your reason is reason enough. #988Day
OPM Names New Health Benefits Chief Ahead of Open Season
There’s new leadership at the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) healthcare and insurance division with open season right around the corner and the agency dealing with staff reductions. According to an internal memo obtained by GovExec , Matthew Kiley was hired as associate director of OPM’s h
Is conservative modernism the way forward for the right?
Anglo-American politics cries out for something better than the demagoguery and AI slop that dominate right-wing discourse. Conservative modernism offers a serious, literate alternative.
Dodgers notes – Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Andy Pages
Shohei Ohtani returned to the Dodgers lineup on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds after missing four games dealing with lingering issues. He looked much more like himself that he has in a while. He very likely will not return as a pitcher this season, however. The Dodgers are hoping that being able to just […]
Scientists observe Einstein’s gravity in the quantum world for the first time
Physicists have directly observed a long-predicted quantum effect of gravity, putting one of Einstein’s foundational ideas to a striking new test. Using ultracold atoms, researchers split an atom’s quantum wave so that one part was held in place while the other fell freely under gravity, then reunited the two to measure the tiny difference that emerged.
Baker relishing role in Walker Cup victory
Eliot Baker says helping Great Britain and Ireland win the Walker Cup still has not sunk in.
Warner Bros. Discovery to Showcase Entertainment Portfolio at BLE
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products highlights franchises including Harry Potter, DC and animation properties at the London trade show.
Man Utd fans group call for derby-day ticket protest
The 1958 Manchester United fans' group is organising a protest ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Manchester City in protest at the club's handing of its ticket touting crackdown. United identified numerous instances of what they felt was ticket touting and in July placed restrictions on a large number of accounts and demanded details for why single devices were being used for multiple accounts, amid a threat of them being withdrawn. The message also warned the fan their season ticket could be deactivated for a Premier League game if they didn't buy a ticket.
Man United announce lucrative new partnership worth millions of pounds
1 Manchester United and SumUp have agreed a deal for the leading global fintech company to become the club’s new sleeve sponsor.United and SumUp partnershipUnited have released a statement, confirmi...
Your ideas for how to save the Academy of Natural Sciences
Academy leadership is on the clock to come up with a creative, long-term plan for the institution.
'It just can't be happening'
Everton fan Sarah Halpen has criticised the club's hierarchy for being "reactive" rather than "proactive" in the summer transfer window. The Toffees' business, which saw a £40m deal for forward Folarin Balogun collapse late on deadline day, has left manager David Moyes with just 18 senior outfield players until the next transfer window which opens on Friday, 1 January.
Huawei heads to trial in US over its business dealings in Iran
Eight years after U.S. prosecutors secretly charged China's Huawei Technologies with defrauding HSBC and other banks over its business with Iran, the case is finally heading for trial.
Huawei Heads to Trial in US Over Its Business Dealings in Iran
By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Eight years after U.S. prosecutors secretly charged China's Huawei Technologies with defrauding HSBC and other banks over its business with Iran, the case is finally heading for trial. Huawei also faces charges for conspiring to steal trade secrets ...
Christian Gonzalez signs historic new deal with Patriots
Christian Gonzalez has signed a four-year, $135 million contract extension with the New England Patriots, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Ebola outbreak outpaces containment despite influx of money and supplies
Although the U.S. has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars and vaccine trials are underway, Ebola deaths continue to climb in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Judging leadership is not a science
Jared Diamond's survey of leaders through history underrates the degree to which evaluating leadership is a subjective art.
What the Christian Gonzalez extension means for the Patriots
The star cornerback agreed to a four-year deal on Monday night.