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Gov. DeSantis signs HAVEN Act, expanding protections for domestic, dating violence
Under the soon-to-be effective measure, Florida will study a first-in-the-nation silent alert system for victims unable to safely call 911.
Pinellas: Suncoast Health Council vacancies announced
Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Suncoast Health Council. All three of these positions are for Health Care Providers. Appointments are for two-year terms, beginning on the date of appointment. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Dog daycare leptospirosis outbreak in Los Angeles reveals broader public health risks
A 2021 outbreak of leptospirosis that sickened more than 200 dogs in Los Angeles County reveals critical gaps in vaccination practices and raises broader concerns about the spread of the disease between ...
Tina Polsky won’t seek re-election in November, opening Senate seat
2 well-known Democrats are already looking at running to succeed her.
Science Kids and Unplug show learning is for all ages
Science Kids is a Sheridan-based nonprofit that has provided outdoor science education opportunities for children across northcentral Wyoming since 2009. The 501(c)(3)’s mission is to inspire curiosity and lifelong connections to science by getting kids outdoors for hands-on learning experiences. With summer right around the corner, Science Kids is about to enter its busiest time […]
$5M in Funding Still Available for NJEDA’s Cannabis Business Development Grant Program
TRENTON, N.J. (May 26, 2026) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that approximately $5 million in funding is still available for the Cannabis Business Development (CBD) Grant Program.
Morning Sports: May 26, 2026
Sheridan County HS Track and Field: Sheridan County High School Track and Field teams brought home 4 trophies, 3 of which said state champions this past weekend. The Sheridan boys 3-peated in Class 4A and made it 5 of the last 6. The Big Horn boys 4-peated in Class 2A, while the Big Horn girls […]
NASA just gave SpaceX more crew missions because Boeing can’t certify
NASA has filed a procurement notice announcing its intent to add six post-certification missions to SpaceX’s existing Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract. The agency said it would order up to three of those missions immediately upon adding them to the contract, with the remaining three available as needed through the end of the International Space […]
Fitness, wellness and health festival returns to Glens Falls
A festival all about fitness, health and wellness is returning to Downtown Glens Falls in June. Fit Fest will 2026 will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to noon in City Park.
Sprinkle list: Tampa Bay lands big bucks for Sheriff’s training facility, African American cultural center
Mental health, affordable housing and advanced metering also landed supplemental funds.
The best sports bar in America is in Northeast Ohio: USA Today readers
The locally owned chain first opened in 1983.
ENDING AT SAN SIRO
The last times that AC Milan entered the final match of the league season with their fate in their own hands to secure Champions League qualification were in 2021 and 2013. In Bergamo, five years ago,...
Here's How Much A 2021 BMW M4 Has Depreciated In 5 Years
With an average depreciation of around 40% over the last five years, the G82/G83-generation 2021 BMW M4 is depreciating slightly less than its predecessor.
LeBron James admits he misses Alex Caruso 'every single day'
The Lakers made a pretty big blunder in 2021 when they let Alex Caruso leave in free agency.
Loss of retail business raises concerns for Euclid City Council members
The recent closure of Burlington’s Coat Factory in Euclid is leaving some City Council members with questions regarding the state of retail businesses in the city. The store, which was located at 22400 Shore Center Drive, closed earlier …
Guilford County Behavioral Health Center approaching 5 year anniversary
Guilford County officials say the center served more than 20,000 individuals last year alone.
Guilford County Behavioral Health Center approaching 5 year anniversary
Guilford County officials say the center served more than 20,000 individuals last year alone.
Google has apparently ended updates for every Chromecast except one
Following a strange issue causing first-generation Chromecast devices to fail, Google has ended software updates for nearly every other Chromecast...
Blaise Ingoglia backs Senate offer to provide security for Ron DeSantis after he leaves office
'You do not know what's out there.'
Former Splinter Cell Creative Director Says Realistic Graphics Are Causing Problems for Modern Stealth Games
The former creative director of one of gaming's most influential stealth franchises, Splinter Cell, has suggested that advancements in lighting and shadow have made it more difficult than ever for the fans — and creators — of the genre.
Mahoning Valley arts and entertainment
Art ARTS & EDUCATION AT THE HOYT, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa.:”Greig Leach: Past in the Present Will Be the Future” ...
Jurado Calls for Exploration of Entertainment Zones for DTLA
In a bid to support night life and economic development in downtown Los Angeles, Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Wednesday calling for a report on the feasibility of establishing so-called “entertainment zones.” If approved by the full City Council, the motion would direct city departments to analyze state law and evaluate potential implementation requirements […]
The company behind ChatGPT hopes to win the national AI fight
As Washington dithers on AI safety, OpenAI’s top lobbyist is persuading blue states to pass laws that advance his plan for a national AI framework — and he says he’s just getting started.
Preakness this year is the most watched since 2021, NBC Sports says
NBC Sports said Tuesday that this year’s running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park was the most watched since 2021.
CT Department of Correction plans to address healthcare delays
The CT Department of Correction announced a slate of reforms focused on improving the quality of healthcare for people who are incarcerated.
Does emotional intelligence stop us from being rude? Here's what the science says
We often assume that how we respond to a rude comment says something stable about us: our personality, our culture, even the language we are speaking. If someone reacts calmly, we presume they are a patient ...
Sen. Cassidy has no regrets over Trump impeachment vote, even after it cost him his seat
Cassidy lost his seat in his state’s Republican primary Saturday after Trump endorsed one of his opponents.
Voters cast ballots in several high-profile primary elections
Voters head to the polls in primary elections in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama. Follow for live news updates.
Chemist Rebekka Klausen wins prestigious Brown Investigator Award
Klausen will use the award money to pursue basic science that pushes the frontiers of three-dimensional silicon structures
Every Pokémon Is Someone's Favorite And Now There's Proof
Someone out there loves Goldeen, I promise
Whoa! Netflix is Sending Narnia Heading to Theaters...What This Means for the Future of Film
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Here’s a funny thing about the debate over whether streamers should release their movies in theaters first: Both sides think the other side represents the “conventional wisdom”. If you’ve been reading me for any amount of time, or even just scanned my front page, you know I think movies make more money by having a robust theatrical window compared to going straight-to-streaming. I’ve published thousands of words on this topic. And for years, I felt like I was standing up to a wave of opposition. See, while the “put your films in theaters to make money” take was obvious at any point before 2019, post-streaming revolution, most of the trendy thinkers took the opposite point of view. Big names argued that Netflix putting their film straight-to-streaming (“S-to-S” from here on out) actually made more money. Netflix was “disrupting” theaters, just as they disrupted Blockbuster Video, and since innovation is always good, this too was a great idea. This thinking then leaked into the mainstream business outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. I read many articles whose take boiled down to “Netflix makes tons of money from S-to-S releases” and “theaters were in structural decline” anyways. Covid-19 shutting down theaters and the 2023 strikes shutting down film production seemingly justified this point of view, as the box office struggled to return to 2017-2019 heights. Yet I’ve also read folks arguing the opposite point: the conventional wisdom says to put films in theaters! From some writers’ points of view, “everyone” actually agrees/agreed with my “send your films to theaters” take—especially the stodgy traditional studios—and folks still didn’t understand Netflix’s genius. I feel like, for the last two years, many people have argued this point as if it’s conventional wisdom. You know what? I may have been wrong. At this point, the “S-to-S strategy makes money” might be the minority viewpoint. Especially with the news this month that Netflix will put at least one film—Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film The Magician’s Nephew—in theaters in 2027 for a full 49-day run is big news. So that’s the story of the week, but I’ll also explain why they’re making this move now and why Netflix may not completely embrace theaters, along with other topics, like how I don’t buy Disney’s “super app” strategy, the latest good news out of the unions, my take on the latest attacks against free speech, and a whole lot more. Let’s get started. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Netflix Goes to Theaters! Listen, I promise not to victory lap too hard today. As I just wrote, I’ve argued against sending films straight-to-streaming for—checks calendar—eight years now. Since 2018. Yikes. That’s a long time. And for years, others painted my thinking as “conventional” in that I was standing up for the status quo against trendy, cool disruption. And that’s not cool! But math is math, and I never could make the S-to-S numbers work. The only thing that ever enabled that model was Wall Street’s brief exuberance for it. It seems like the heads of Netflix now agree with me. (There were always rumors that former head of film for Netflix Scott Stuber argued internally for theatrical releases as well.) As they announced: “The Magician’s Nephew_—the first film in a Narnia series of films—will open on 12-Feb-2027, with a 49 day theatrical exclusive run.”_ I’m a little surprised at how little coverage this big change actually got. Credit to Bloomberg for leading with it and Matt Belloni’s The Town for highlighting it with the provocatively titled podcast “Hell Hath Frozen Over”. But after that? Instead of getting as much coverage as, say, the FCC’s latest egregious crackdown on free speech, this news story got crickets. But it’s massively more important for the future business of entertainment. So let’s start with the obvious question… Why Put Your Movies in Theaters? So…why should Netflix put (some!) of their movies in theaters? Well, I’ve already written that in a very, very, very long article from 2022: [ ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) [ The Data Is In: Theatrical Films Massively Outperform Straight-To-Streaming Films ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) Entertainment Strategy Guy · April 5, 2023 [ Read full story ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) To summarize, theatrical runs make much more money, especially blockbusters, because they earn more money per viewing,1 and that helps boost home entertainment sales. Theatrical films also perform as well or better than the streaming-only films. Now, partially this is driven by increased marketing for said films, but said marketing ultimately boosts the awareness of the movies and drives improved streaming and library performance as well. Again, I’ve made this case after reviewing the economic models and streaming data for years. Just last week, Emily Horgan also made the case for kids films! Yes, it is probably conventional wisdom, but that’s also because it’s true! I’d also argue we’ve seen a lot of data in the various studios’ behavior. As I’ve noted before, the more a studio needs to make money, the likelier they are to put films in theaters. As such, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony all send their major films to theaters. Even if they once made a big S-to-S push (*cough* Disney *cough*), they’ve since relented and returned to theaters. The tech companies don’t need to make money, per se, so it took them years to embrace theaters. Apple doesn’t need to make money because it doesn’t disclose their (likely) Quibi-sized losses each year. (They fear bad press more than losing money.) Amazon announced two years ago that they planned to make Amazon-MGM Studios/Prime Video profitable on its own, and guess what? Now they’re putting films in theaters. That leaves Netflix. They’re in between the “no need to make money at all” and the “desperately need to make money to offset linear TV declines”, so they had less pressure to put some films in theaters. Plus, for years, they were the sexy disruptor, and Wall Street rewarded them for that. (Honestly, they still do.) Yet, even Netflix likely saw the money they were leaving on the table (I’ve estimated it at an easy billion dollars before) so they changed their course. I heard one pundit argue that, because Netflix already makes so much money, they don’t need to make more money, which sort of goes against everything I’ve ever learned about business and economics. Again, to be super-nuanced, sending “films to theaters” does not mean EVERY film. TV movies have been a thing for decades. Lifetime films, Hallmark holiday films, Disney Channel Original Movies, and so on, don’t need theatrical runs. But films above a certain budget level (say $25 to 50 million) almost certainly need theaters to maximize their revenue. The Scenarios (with a Dose of Skepticism) Now time for some skepticism: it won’t surprise me at all if Netflix re-changes course. Specifically, Netflix announced that their Narnia film will go to theaters. And I’d bet anything we see KPop Demon Hunters 2: The Huntering2 also goes to theaters, cause it’s the surest hit outside of a Disney animated sequel right now. But how much does Netflix truly commit to theaters? They’ve already tried to emphasize that this is a one-off move. I see three broad scenarios:
Meet the Graduates: School of Business Majors Are Going Places
Meet the spring 2026 graduates of the College of Charleston School of Business and find out what they're doing next.
Texas is opening up a detransition clinic
Americans exposed to Ebola outbreak, Bill Cassidy's primary defeat, and more health news from Morning Rounds
Carrick made himself the 'only candidate'
BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel says Michael Carrick's impact and record as interim Manchester United boss made him the "only candidate" to be given the permanent role. United secured their 11th victory in 16 games under Carrick against Nottingham Forest on Sunday and his appointment on a two-year deal, with a one-year extension, is expected from the club imminently. "Carrick has taken that job in his stride so impressively," Mokbel told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
MN Capitol deadline: Lawmakers rush to finish business before session ends
The clock is ticking at the Minnesota State Capitol as lawmakers race to pass several high-profile bills before the legislative session ends at midnight.
New Windows 'MiniPlasma' zero-day exploit gives SYSTEM access, PoC released
A cybersecurity researcher has released a proof-of-concept exploit for a Windows privilege escalation zero-day dubbed "MiniPlasma" that lets attackers gain SYSTEM privileges on fully patched Windows systems.
Here's How Much A 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The average used price of a 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio sits between $40,000 and $50,000 today, but low production means great deals are rare.
Nine teams, four spots - Premier League set for European scramble
The Premier League title and relegation fights might be dominating the headlines, but the race for Europe is proving to be an equally chaotic and enthralling battle this season.
Video: Cassidy Loses Primary After Drawing Trump’s Ire
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy lost his Louisiana primary on Saturday after President Trump targeted him for voting to impeach him in 2021. The two-term senator took veiled swipes at the president in his concession speech.
Republican Senator Cassidy loses Louisiana primary after opposing Trump
Bill Cassidy is among seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Q-Mart business owner avoids jail for conduct with underage employees
The owner of Poppy's Peanuts in the Quakertown Farmers Market was sentenced to probation for inappropriate conduct toward teen employees.
MVP MMA 1 Highlights: Mike Perry vs. Nate Diaz
"Platinum" Mike Perry made his return to mixed martial arts on Saturday, defeating Nate Diaz via corner stoppage in the second round. It was both fighters’ return to mixed martial arts. Perry last fought an MMA bout in April 2021. Diaz was last in the cage in September 2022, but they put on an ...
"Card Party" Pokemon TCG Fan Conventions Announced for 2026...
Since 2021, unofficial Pokemon TCG conventions have been popping up across the U.S. in an effort to capitalize on the hobby's latest boom. Before the
University of Washington study finds decline in pollinators puts human health at risk
A new study from the University of Washington details how a decline in pollinating insects is putting human health at risk.
This rumored MacBook Pro upgrade has me excited, and it has nothing to do with OLED
Later this year, Apple is set to debut its first MacBook Pro redesign since 2021. With that redesign, we’re expecting...
Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame set for 19th induction class Sunday
The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame will induct five new members this weekend. Read about each one here.
Google explains why some new Gmail accounts only get 5GB storage
In a statement to Android Authority, Google confirmed it is testing a new storage policy that offers reduced free storage in select regions.
Chartbook 449: Voldemort on Threadneedle street. The Bank of England and the "haunted house" of English politics.
Imagine the scene: In some Harry Potter version of 21st-century London, a group of deathless UK Treasury officials gathered from across the last century huddle over warm pints and glasses of Chardonnay. Around the table there are officials from the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1970s, 2022 and today. Inevitably, in May 2026, the subject of conversation is the disintegration of the current Labour government. Despite its huge majority in parliament, it has been reduced to tatters by catastrophic local election result. These exposed the fact that rather than having a government with a clear popular majority, the UK is like most other modern societies divided into 5 segments each of which commands between 26 and 16 percent of the vote. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the leadership at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street - where the Prime Minister and the Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) work - seem paralyzed. They are caught between mounting discontent over unfairness and the cost of living, and tough fiscal strictures that push them into making unpopular spending decisions. In the London pub, the Treasury officials from across the ages, can barely hide their satisfaction at the latest display of democratic politics caught in the vice-grip of financial logic. “Remember the mur d’argent and the banker’s ramp?” “Just like yesterday!” There are smirks around the table. Then the representative of 2026 pipes up: “One thing you have to say about the current lot (referring to the latest hapless Labour government), you don’t have to teach them about the bond market!” There is a murmur of ascent from the Treasury Mandarins. The trauma of the fiscal crisis of September-October 2022 sits deep. Back then, in the final stages of Tory decay, a ‘mini budget’ that challenged fiscal orthodoxy led to a brief but fierce panic in one of the oldest government bond markets in the world (aka gilt market). Now all you have to do is to mention the “bond market” to hush debate. [ Paul Mason@paulmasonnews In the name of public service, and as ex-economics editor of BBC Newsnight, I offer to do a zoom call, tonight, with any Labour MP who wants to understand why bond markets do not "fall into line" with governments. 1/ 3:57 PM · May 12, 2026 · 466K Views 224 Replies · 674 Reposts · 3.93K Likes ](https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054229532404519082?s=20) “And the funny thing is”, the young man in the huddle continues, “they don’t even want to talk about … ”. There is a sudden hush. Significant looks are exchanged around the table. About? One of the senior figures puts down his glass with a decisive “clink”. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has entered their thoughts. Meanwhile, a few miles away in a grubby pub in Bloomsbury, two conspirators from the camp of Critical Macrofinance huddle over cans of low-alcohol IPA. They look at each other and blurt out loud: “The Bank!” “Everyone in the bloody Labour party is talking about the bond market. But why aren’t they even mentioning … the Bank of England!?” “Why is no one talking about Voldemort?” In Paul Mason’s blogpost, after much chest-thumping about basic fiscal logic, the basic point about the Bank of England is buried in the fine print at #3 in his list of suggestions as to what a radical Labour government might actually be able to do! [ Conflict & Democracy Down with the bond market! Down with gravity! It may seem unfair to focus on Labour MP Paula Barker for her off-the-cuff assertion that the bond market would have to “fall in line” with Andy Burnham, should he replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. But Burnham himself told the New Statesman that Labour had to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets… Read more 2 days ago · 100 likes · 3 comments · Paul Mason ](https://htsf.substack.com/p/down-with-the-bond-market-down-with?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Back in Bloomsbury they shake their heads and ask: “Didn’t we learn anything from the Eurozone crisis?” Meanwhile, as if summoned to the conversation by some higher force, the “pink pages” announce: “The days of ultra-cheap government borrowing have come to an end” and Martin “Whizzard” Wolf publishes the graph of the season Look at the UK in 2026, perilously positioned on the upper edge of the pack. No wonder no one in London needs any lessons about the “bond market”. But, look again. Imagine how they feel in Rome. What is London’s nightmare in 2026? The nightmare is that you end up like Italy in the early 2010s during the Eurozone crisis. Once comfortably situated in the middle of the pack, watching with horror as your ten-year yields explode to 7 percent and “spreads” become a national nightmare. One of the largest economies in Europe, a founding member of the euro, stigmatized. But the message of the Italian experience is ambiguous. After all, the stigma didn’t last. In 2026, Italy borrows at rates lower not only than the UK but the US. The US, which, as everyone knows, enjoys the “exorbitant privilege” of being the issuer of reserve, safe asets. What kind of magic is this? How did Italy, in the space of fifteen years, go from being good, to bad and back again? Which brings us back to our dissident friends in their Bloombury boozer and their memories of the Eurozone crisis. Italy never was Britain - with its ongoing fiscal deficits. Without interest payments, on primary balance, from 2000 to 2020 Italy ran a tight fiscal ship. Even in 2008 it barely went into deficit and when it was being put on the rack in the early 20210s its primary surplus matched that of austere Germany. So, what happened? How did it end up stigmatized? Of course Italian politics didn’t help. Berlusconi was at the helm and he had legal issues. But amongst friends in the Bloomsbury pub, Berlusconi is a sideshow, the name we whisper to each other is “Trichet”. From 2004 to 2011 the ECB was headed by Jean-Claude Trichet, ex of the French Treasury, more German than the Germans. After 2009 as the news of the Greek fiscal disaster broke, the European bond markets wento into panic mode and Trichet began a brutal game of cat and mouse. Between 2009 and 2011, Trichet intervened in the bond market to help, only when he thought he had compliance with austerity. When he thought they were uncooperative, he withdrew. In the summer of 2011, he even made direct suggestions to his Italian counterparts in Rome, as to how Italy should be governed. It was this cat and mouse game that drove the bond markets crazy and exposed Italy to a violent squeeze. When Mario Draghi took over the ECB at the end of 2011 and declared “whatever it takes”, the pressure on Italy, gradually eased. It is that starring role that has made Draghi into the towering figure in European politics that he remains today. So now you see why voices in London hush when it comes to the Bank of England. “The bond market” isn’t an irresistible objective force like the weather or an avalanche. It can appear like that. But that depends on the way it is being handled, or not handled by the central bank. Which is why the silence about the Bank of England in London right now is so significant. If you think this all sounds a bit fishy, coming from a left-liberal Keynesian like myself, well, let me introduce you to Robin Brooks, who, to put it mildly, plays on a different quidditch team to me. Here, from the position of a fiscal hawk is Robin’s celebratory account of the Bank of England’s role since 2022; In October 2022, at the height of the bond market blow-up in the UK, something incredible happened. Governor Andrew Bailey told British pension funds the Bank of England would end its support program for the country’s fragile gilt market, drawing a line under how much help the central bank was willing to give to exposed pension funds and - implicitly - the government. By the end of that week, Kwasi Kwarteng - the finance minister - had resigned. Prime Minister Liz Truss would soon follow. This episode is so incredible because it contrasts with what happened in the Euro zone earlier that year. Bond markets in Spain and Italy were under pressure amid high inflation and rising interest rates. In the middle of this, Mario Draghi - Italy’s Prime Minister - resigned, compounding pressure on bond markets of high-debt countries on the Euro periphery. Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB caved. It bought Italian and Spanish government bonds in an effort to cap yields and introduced a new tool that signaled to markets it might do such caps more frequently going forward. Faced with pressure on bond markets, the ECB capitulated to political pressure from high-debt countries like Italy and Spain. The Bank of England stood its ground and toppled the Truss government. This kind of thing has long-lasting consequences. It means markets price a higher probability of yield caps in the Euro zone, which keeps Italian and Spanish yields artificially low, while markets feel free to push up UK yields without fear of central bank intervention. As I flagged in yesterday’s post, this means you really can’t compare UK yields to those of other high-debt countries. The UK looks worse, but only because its central bank isn’t interfering with markets. There’s more to this than just that 2022 episode. The Bank of England has also been much more aggressive in its quantitative tightening (QT) than other central banks. If one motivation for quantitative easing (QE) is to lower bond yields - especially longer-dated ones - then it stands to reason QT pushes yields up. The left chart above shows a four-quarter moving average of UK government debt issuance (black line) in percent of GDP and which sectors absorb this issuance, including the Bank of England (blue bars). The right chart above compares the Bank of England’s accumulation or run-off of government bonds (blue line) with that of other central banks, where this blue line is the same as the blue bars in the left chart. The Bank of England was quicker and more aggressive than other central banks in downsizing its bond holdings, so UK yields will have risen more than elsewhere also for this reason, not just because of Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks in October 2022. Back in October 2025, after a conversation in New York with friends in British politics, my sense of dysphoria was such that I raised the issue of the Bank of England openly in the FT Since 2008, the UK has slid into a deep economic and political predicament. Growth has stagnated to a degree far worse even than in the 1970s. The Tory leadership’s wager on the Brexit referendum spectacularly backfired, leaving the UK isolated from Europe and at the mercy of its special relationship with the US, many of whose political class regard the UK as a basket case. After years of austerity, the Labour party lurched to the left and then back to the centre. The Tory party has been eclipsed by the populist nationalism of Reform. Any British government should be worrying first and foremost about how to restart growth. Instead, Keir Starmer is beset by shades of the gilt market panic triggered by the Liz Truss government in 2022. The debt level is higher than in recent years, but there is no cause for panic. UK debt is at far from critical levels and of long duration. Whether you want to “take back control” or launch progressive economic policy, a democracy dogged by fear of bond market vigilantes is unhealthy. In a country that is a monetary sovereign, this climate points to one thing: a disconnect between the government and the central bank. Since 1997, the independence of the Bank of England has become a sacred cow. But independence is what you make of it. And in the wake of the gilt market crisis of September 2022, relations between the Bank of England and the UK government need a reset. In normal times, there is no doubt that an inflation-targeting independent central bank can serve a country well. But since 2008, the UK and other advanced economies have not had the luxury of such simple problems. To their credit, central bankers around the world have not stood on orthodoxy. After 2008, the US Federal Reserve rescued the global banking system and, through quantitative easing, it stabilised the Treasury market in the face of huge deficits. In Europe, things were trickier. Both the Bank of England under Mervyn King and Jean-Claude Trichet’s European Central Bank played cat and mouse with national governments. This was a high stakes wager that between 2010 and 2012 escalated bond market tension and triggered a disastrous turn to austerity. Shaken by the impact of those shocks, their successors, Mark Carney and Mario Draghi adopted a more protective stance (assuming you were not the government of Greece). Recall that Draghi’s legendary slogan, “Whatever it takes”, was uttered to face down the City of London’s bond vigilantes. In 2015, Draghi launched QE — financial repression by another name. In 2016, Carney used the authority of the Bank of England to stabilise markets following the vote for Brexit, an exemplary demonstration of how central banks can underpin democratic choice, even when those choices are wrong headed. All these were independent central bankers steeped in the best practice of the 1990s, who recognised that historic crises demanded radical action. It was the price surge of 2021-2023 that poisoned the atmosphere. Though the shock came mainly from the supply side, central banks ended up in the dock. Nowhere more so than in the UK. The Bank of England reacted with aggressive normalisation. Faced with a cost of living crisis, the governor called for workers to accept real wage cuts. In early 2022, as gas prices were at record levels and Russia’s army was poised to invade Ukraine, the Bank adopted a stringent programme of quantitative tightening, elevating interest rates. When the Truss government got itself in trouble, the Bank took almost a week to come to the rescue. Rather than enacting a charade of normality, it is time to recognise that in 2025 the UK faces a period of historic transition. To meet this challenge, what is needed is a new concordat with the Bank. This should not ignore inflationary pressures or the long-run trajectory of debt, but should affirm the priority of reviving investment-led growth. One could follow Donald Trump in demanding interest rate cuts. The Bank could shadow the ECB in its commitment to capping Eurozone yields. But the top priority should be to lay the ghost of September 2022. The Bank’s slowing of QT last month was a concession. An immediate and complete end would send the right signal. Such a concordat will not by itself restore sanity to politics, solve the housing problem or rebuild the NHS. But it would help to lift the fear of bond market crisis, which is paralysing the effort by democratic politicians to answer the fundamental questions facing the nation. Now, that call for a new concordat between government and Bank of Englands seems more urgent than ever. The problem is that in October 2025, Starmer still had some authority. Today the government is in tatters. And when you are the “under the harrow” - to echo a phrase of Montagu Norman’s from the 1920s - it is the worst possible time to consider institutional change. To make general arguments at a time of crisis can only seem like special pleading rather than a general argument for long-term change. The same, unfortunately, is also true for the other basic institutional reform that Britain urgently needs i.e. the abolition of the out-dated first past the post electoral system and its replacement by a moderated form of proportional representation. And thirdly - whilst we are saying the quiet parts out loud - Britain needs to reopen the question of EU membership. What the local election results of 2026 show is that this remains a key issue. And what they also show is that there is a clear majority that would favor a return. Until these basic features of Britain’s political economy are addressed the country will carry on its politics as though in a haunted house, governed by governments that lack actual majorities, conjuring up false constraints whilst ignoring the real ones. This one is for DG and MI. I love writing the newsletter. If you enjoy it too and fancy buying me a coffee once a month, you know what to do. Click below! Subscribe
A free concert, bigger parade and expanded entertainment: Buckhannon's investment helps Strawberry Festival festival reach new heights
Buckhannon boosted its support for the West Virginia Strawberry Festival with a record $50,000 contribution, helping fund a free Main Street concert headlined by Parmalee and expanded entertainment.
UNF poll shows Floridians like to wager on sports, but have concerns about integrity of games
Floridians are also hesitant to expand gambling further.
The era of 15GB free Gmail storage is ending
Google could be testing a change to its free storage tier by offering 5GB free storage instead of 15GB with Gmail accounts.
Canadian-based company ceases operations; dozens of people laid off in Pennsylvania
The company said its financial position has worsened significantly since 2021, and that it had faced additional pressure since 2024 due to the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government, post-pandemic reductions in consumer demand, increased competition from offshore competitors, and ongoing cash constraints.
Windows Update is getting better at saving your PC from buggy drivers
Driver recovery can automate what used to be an irritating manual process.
Mars rover snaps a selfie near skyscraper-sized boulders
NASA's Perseverance rover has traveled nearly 26 miles since landing on the Red Planet in 2021.
Exclusive-US Halting Medicare Enrollments for New Home Healthcare and Hospice Providers
By Jody Godoy May 13 (Reuters) - The Trump administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers on Wednesday from enrolling in Medicare, a senior administration official said, citing concerns about widespread fraud. The nationwide moratorium is the latest move by Vice ...
Randi Zuckerberg Means Business
Every week, the "Randi Zuckerberg Means Business" show covers the latest business trends and topics and how they affect our modern lives.
U to build out Utah Health AI Vault (UHAIV) with state support
Using an infusion of state funding, the University of Utah is building an AI-assisted computing infrastructure expected to advance population-based medical and policy decisions. Under...
U builds out Utah Health AI Vault, supercomputer with $33 million in state support
New state investment in the Utah Health AI Vault (UHAIV) will position Utah to lead the nation in AI-enabled health innovation.
AgriSafe Network Offers 'Total Farmer Health Tools' To Support Mental Well-Being
New resources and peer-to-peer support networks are available to help combat rising rates of anxiety and depression in rural America.
Netflix Content Spend 2015-2025 Revealed By Ted Sarandos
The Netflix content spend from 2015-2025 has been revealed by Ted Sarandos, who cited success of 'KPop Demon Hunters', Money Heist' and 'Squid Game'
Wake County Public Health to offer back-to-school vaccine clinics this summer
While the current school year is winding down, Wake County Public Health is already working to make it easy for families to check a critical task off their list for next year – getting their child's required vaccinations. The County is hosting monthly vaccine clinics to help students get the immunizations they need as they head back to class in the fall.
Under Mamdani, are businesses leaving the city?
NY1 found that big finance jobs are staying, at least for now.
Meet the Graduates: CofC Natural and Environmental Studies Majors are Going Places
Meet the spring 2026 graduates of the College of Charleston School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and learn what they're doing next.
Unintentional drug overdose fatalities in Philadelphia in 2024
Unintentional drug overdose fatalities in Philadelphia in 2024
Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit".
The connection between periods and mental health
Plans to oust Makary, a looming Supreme Court deadline on mifepristone, and other health news from Morning Rounds
Campaign finance disclosures should fight corruption, not fuel political voyeurism
At a time when civic participation is already under strain, expanding the public exposure of ordinary political activity risks discouraging it.
Chicago Teachers Union wants $8.5 million dues hike to fund politics
“Has your brand become toxic?” This was a pointed question from WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley, posed to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in a recent interview. Her immediate response: “I don’t understand the question.” When pressed, Gates added, “The Chicago Teachers Union is not a political party, it is a labor union.” But internal union documents show CTU leadership is trying to skim $8.5 million more from teacher paychecks explicitly for politics, while trying to silence union members critical of Gates’ leadership. Under the proposed dues hike, Chicago teachers would see up to $800 more per year flow from their paychecks to union coffers. The union already takes in more than $40 million a year, mostly from dues. And it spends less than 18 cents of every dollar on teacher representation. The No. 1 reason for the proposed dues hike? Politics. “We must win a majority of the first 21 person fully elected school board in November,” reads the first point in CTU’s member FAQ document.1 This directly contradicts CTU’s promise to members about how leadership uses dues money. The official CTU handbook tells members that the union does not use dues money for politics, so if they are interested in funding political activity, they should consider voluntary donations to CTU’s political action committee. “Our dues are not used for political purposes,” according to the handbook. “So our PAC relies on extra contributions from our members to support progressive candidates and to impact elected officials at the city, county and state levels.” This kind of double-speak is one reason members are concerned about another constitutional change slipped into the dues hike vote, which will take place on May 20-21: an attempt to stop members from holding the union accountable. A proposed amendment to the union constitution tries to place limits on when members may bring a lawsuit against the union for violating members’ rights.2 This provision is clearly a response to members’ lawsuit against union leadership regarding Gates’ years-long refusal to publish audited financial statements. The judge in that case has repeatedly denied the union’s attempts to dismiss it. Teachers opposed to these changes have been circulating this flier, urging members to vote no. What will CTU members get in return for millions of dollars in additional dues? If the 2024 school board elections are any indication—not much. CTU leadership’s record on school board races may not inspire confidence among members. A Chicago Policy Center analysis of a dozen affiliated PACs found CTU spent nearly $2.9 million on school board races in 2024. Of that spending, more than $2.1 million (75%) went to losing candidates. And while CTU-backed candidates lost six of the nine competitive seats overall, they fared worse in their biggest-spending races, losing five of six contests in which the union and its affiliates put up more than $250,000 for their candidate. The Chicago school board elections take place Nov. 3.3 Is another $8.5 million enough to clean up a toxic reputation? Not likely. Update on federal tax credit scholarship: Last week, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. If Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker follows suit, Illinois could unlock $1 billion in donor money statewide for both public- and private-school students. If Illinois does not opt in, that money will flow to other states. The Last Ward reported in February on how Illinois Democrats could unlock at least $100 million in new resources for Chicago public-school students by opting in. Update on the investigation into how Chicagoans learned about a meeting to hike their property taxes: The Last Ward reported in January on an absurd, taxpayer-funded investigation into how local media learned of a planned Chicago school board meeting to hike the district’s property tax levy. That investigation is now complete. Lawyers interviewed two dozen witnesses, and found nothing. Update on Illinois’ muni debt crisis: My colleague Joe Tabor last week published a must-read piece in Crain’s Chicago Business about how Illinois recently rejected south suburban Harvey’s request to be designated a “distressed city.” The saga shows why the state must implement a better structure to assist insolvent local governments, including allowing for the option to pursue debt relief via Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The Last Ward reported in October on how Harvey is tipping the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis. Mincing Rascals: I joined the Mincing Rascals podcast to discuss the SAFE-T Act, the millionaires tax, and more. My “green light” recommendation: Force Majeure (2014). 1 Notably, the No. 2 reason cited is “resources to fund a state-wide millionaires tax campaign in order to fully fund the state’s school funding formula.” The constitutional amendment necessary to implement a progressive income tax in Illinois recently died in the Illinois House, meaning this question would not appear on the ballot until 2028 at the earliest. 2 There is seemingly no single-subject rule for CTU constitutional amendments. So members only get one vote on the full package. One cannot vote “yes” on the dues hike and “no” on the restriction of members’ rights, for example. 3 Illinois law grants far too much power over local government to unelected officials like Gates. State lawmakers should fix that.
All-girls Catholic Saint Mary's Academy's last class preps for reunion
Founded in 1844, from 1945 to its closure in 1976, Saint Mary's Academy was at South Bend's Erskine Manor.
A look at the past: Citrus Heights' oldest business celebrates 90 years
By Sara Beth Williams-- One of the oldest businesses in the Citrus Heights, Harris Industrial Gases, is set to celebrate its 90th anniversary next week
ENTERTAINMENT: Jazz concert aids foundation; ‘Gatsby’ opens ballet season
Ballet Arkansas will open its 2026-27 season with the world premiere of “The Great Gatsby,” Oct. 23-25 at a venue to be announced. Set on a jazz score, it’s a full realization of a ballet the company first staged in 2021, with “immersive theatrical elements,” according to a news release.
Yuji Horii reveals Dragon Quest stream for 40th anniversary with next big game reveal
Yuji Horii said on the KosoKoso podcast that fans will get to see the next Dragon Quest game on 27th May. Square Enix will be holding a special livestream to celebrate the franchise’s big 40th…
Interview with an American Volunteer Fighting in Myanmar’s Civil War
Americans are among those who have volunteered to join Myanmar’s resistance to the military junta that took power in a 2021 coup. In this interview a young volunteer from California shares an account of what drove him to take up arms.
Upstate county clerk talks passport revocations for parents owing child support
The U.S. Department of State announced it's strictly enforcing passport revocations for parents who own $2,500 in child support.
Warning: Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption Starting Today
As of today, end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages is no longer available. DMs that you send to people on Instagram will no longer feature full encryption, and your conversations are not protected from Meta. Meta can potentially see what's in messages shared between users on Instagram, and that information can be shared with law enforcement agencies worldwide. End-to-end encryption has been an opt-in messaging feature on Instagram since 2023, but Meta quietly removed it.
PSMA PET imaging’s proliferation produces uptick in aggressive treatment for prostate cancer
First approved by the FDA in 2021, providers have rapidly adopted this clinical innovation, which offers greater accuracy in detecting prostate cancer.
Elitist Journal Lists Undermine The Social Purpose Of Business Schools
FT’s list of ranking-worthy publications undercuts research into power, inequality & corporate responsibility, write Carl Rhodes & Alison Pullen.
Visit Fort Wayne forms sports commission to further tourism initiative
The commission will work with organizers across the county to “strengthen the overall tournament and event experience.”
Ted Turner managed one Braves game — and forever changed professional sports
Turner turned the Atlanta Braves into a national juggernaut by broadcasting their games coast-to-coast. He found less success donning their uniform himself.
Leaker claims Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake could be split into two parts
Nash Weedle, whose track record is unfortunately spotty at best, has posted some information he has heard about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake which was originally leaked by NateDrake.
Google Home’s Gemini AI can handle more complicated requests
Give Gemini multiple smart home requests at once.
Webinar explores faith, justice, and science behind vaccines
Drawing on reflections from World Health Organization (WHO) experts, faith leaders, and scientific experts, a webinar entitled “For Every Generation: Faith, Justice, and Science in Immunization” was hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 30 April.
Around 100 union workers strike at Brookfield Zoo over health insurance, wages
Around 100 union workers walked off the job at Brookfield Zoo on Monday morning, calling for what they described as a a fair contract and urging the zoo to close to the public until an agreement is reached.
Democrats in disarray as Michigan AG calls for recount after convention vote declared 'a mess'
A failed Michigan Democratic AG candidate backs a full recount of convention votes, alleging broken rules and improperly calculated ballots were found.
New York lawmakers pass 9th state budget extender that runs through May 6
The state budget was due on April 1.
RCHD highlights adolescent health services for National Adolescents Health Month
Richmond City Health Districts (RCHD) is highlighting services and programs that support the health and well-being of Richmond youth in honor of National Adolescent Health Month.
Ex-marketing employee of Hollywood business arrested in $63K fraud scheme, cops say
A former marketing employee of a Hollywood business was arrested in a brazen fraud scheme that bilked the company out of more than $63,000, authorities said.
Why Is AMC Entertainment Stock Surging On Monday? - AMC Entertainment Hldgs (NYSE:AMC), Netflix (NASDAQ:N
AMC stock jumps 7.24% as CEO Adam Aron confirms a wide theatrical release for Netflix's "Narnia" with a 49-day exclusive window.
Transitions in Health Insurance Status Following Initiation of Dialysis by Modality
Researchers examined whether dialysis modality affected patients' likelihood to experience an insurance transition.
Friday After 5 celebrates 30th anniversary with expanded 2026 season lineup
Friday After 5 will mark its 30th anniversary this summer with what organizers are calling its biggest and most diverse season yet, continuing a long-standing tradition of free, family-friendly entertainment along the downtown riverfront.
Newhook scores late as Canadiens eliminate Lightning in Game 7
Alex Newhook broke a tie with 8:53 left and the Montreal Canadiens outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Game 7 on Sunday night to end the thrilling first-round series. The Canadiens will face the Buffalo Sabres in the second round after finishing off their first series victory since losing the Stanley Cup Final to Tampa Bay in 2021. Game 1 is Wednesday night in Buffalo.
DOJ unveils West Coast ‘Strike Force’ as new tactic used to tackle healthcare fraud
Federal authorities said the shift to regional “Strike Force” models have been shown to be successful, with 6,200 defendants prosecuted nationwide. The DOJ said this latest unit will take a special interest in Northern California.
“The Knicks are a really great team,” VJ Edgecombe …
“The Knicks are a really great team,” VJ Edgecombe …
Health freedom at the forefront of individual rights vs. government debate
Six years after the start of the Covid pandemic, health freedom and vaccine mandates are still major issues at the Arizona Legislature.
Immigrants have made huge contributions to U.S. science
The current administration’s policies impede the best and the brightest foreign-born researchers' access to research laboratories in America.
Administration Explains National Science Board Firing as Criticism Grows
The White House says the board's firing was necessary to comply with a 2021 Supreme Court decision.
National Blood Clot Alliance Launches Women and Blood Clots Virtual Institute During Women's Health Month
PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, May 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The National Blood Clot …
Free heart health screenings available in central Vermont
Vermonters can get free heart health screenings and resources at two events at the very start of May, no appointment needed.
Doctors agree: There’s a lot to love about cardiology’s future
According to a new survey, both cardiologists and noncardiologists feel good about the specialty's long-term health.
FISA: What to know about the government’s key spy powers on the verge of expiration
The deadline to renew a powerful surveillance law has exposed deep divisions in the Republican Party and left US national security officials scrambling as the potential for blind spots in intelligence collection becomes an ever increasing possibility.