SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " HUS " 1,905 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
The States Try to Topple WarnerMount…Thus Begins the Local Antitrust Era
(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.) Well, it looks like it’s time for another strategy column. Can I finally avoid writing about M&A? No, it seems I cannot. Admittedly, I’m a week early with this column, since I usually put it out every other week. But this news couldn’t wait. This will make three “Most Important Stories” in a row with a merger or acquisition as its centerpiece. First, Roku-Fox (an acquisition), then Comcast-NBCUniversal (a divestment!), and now the State AGs and the WGA’s lawsuits against Paramount’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery (antitrust). M&A is usually the “most important” topic any given week, simply because a giant company merging or breaking up (or preventing those outcomes) can have the biggest impact on the streaming board. If you think about these companies as players in a game, changing the number of players is one of the biggest changes you can make. I shouldn’t really complain, either, since this lawsuit is very good news for customers and suppliers (econ speak for talent, workers and indie studios in Hollywood). So let me answer some questions about this potential trial, along with (shudder) making some heavily caveated predictions. I’ll also look at whether Hollywood must consolidate, whether or not the states can win, trouble at X-Box, Netflix’s YouTube binge, and more. Plus, I have five images that visualize this merger and the harm, including three brand new data looks you’ve never seen before. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Can The States and the WGA Stop Hollywood’s Consolidation (Crisis)? If every other newsletter and news outlet is writing about the same story, I try to avoid writing about it as well, but I can’t ignore a story this consequential. The story of the last year was the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery, and this development potentially extends that saga into 2027. As I tried to figure out my angle, I realized, like my last column, I’m again faced with a series of questions. These questions, though, are much more forward-looking. Will the states win? Will the WGA win? If so, what happens to Warner Bros. Discovery? Either way, will this chill the market for future mergers? So you know what that means: predictions. About the future, no less, the hardest thing to predict.1 Just remember: nothing here comes with a guarantee. And the more confident someone is in their predictions, the less you should trust them. This situation is incredibly fluid, nuanced, uncertain and tenuous. So let’s try to explain what may happen. Question: Why File this Lawsuit? I’ll admit, a few months back, I was fairly pessimistic about the fate of this lawsuit. Rumors had started bubbling up that the state Attorneys General (in particular California) wanted to settle with either some minor divestments (usually CNN) or behavioral remedies. And that tracked for me: the states usually settle lawsuits, like the recent John Deere right-to-repair suit. Yet, they plan to fight this. (As they did the LiveNation-Ticketmaster monopolization trial and the Nexstar-Tegna merger.) Honestly, that also makes a ton of sense. Frankly, this move is just good politics for these State AGs. Most are still running for higher and higher office in blue states—some folks have emphasized that only Democratic AGs joined this suit, but given the Ellison/Trump ties, and fears of retribution, that tracks—and a high profile case like this will help them move up the electoral ladder, especially since Paramount and its leadership (the Ellisons, father and heir) have sided with the other side of the political aisle. That makes them unsympathetic to Democratic voters and Hollywood workers in particular. Why did this lawsuit happen? In addition to the very real concerns about industry consolidation, this is why. That said, I don’t think we would have seen this lawsuit for Netflix and Warner Bros., simply because they’re more sympathetic and aligned with Democrats. But those consolidation concerns are real. The “town”—meaning Hollywood and such—really is seeing the damage of mergers on this industry. That’s why the WGA also filed its own lawsuit in defense of workers as well. (Wildcard: What about Europe? Will they try to stop the deal, too? There have been some rumors out of the UK they may try to fight the deal, and UK enforcers just stopped a Getty Images-Shutterstock tie up, so there is precedence. This argument could go either way, though. On one hand, the EU doesn’t need to step in, cause they states are handling it. On the other hand, this could make the EU’s case easier. Just imagine if both sides coordinated. I’ll simply say, “We’ll see!”) Question: Will The State AGs or the WGA Win? Can the state AGs play David to Paramount-Skydance’s Goliath here? That’s really the whole thing, isn’t it? If you know this result, you could make a lot of money. When things are uncertain, it’s tempting to shrug and say, “Eh” meaning it’s a 50/50 proposition. I wouldn’t, though. When in doubt, you should expect that the merging parties succeed. AT&T did successfully buy Warner Bros., after all, and Disney bought Fox without any challenges. Many judges are extremely sympathetic to mergers, and I’d bet the state AGs get a judge who will allow the merger. (Even Obama-appointed judges often allow mergers.) As I understand it, we’ll see two main attacks. First, theatrical films. The AGs are arguing that, when it comes to share of box office and the number of both “wide releases” and blockbuster (or “tentpole”) films, the merging parties will have over 27% market share. Now, the Supreme Court once ruled from on high that any merger that exceeds 30% is presumptively illegal, but that’s guidance, not an ironclad bar. Still, the states will have to argue that this is close to having too much power, and with that power, this will likely further worsen the theater/studio splits in particular. Indeed, as Matthew Stoller pointed out, “just five studios are responsible for 95% of all blockbusters; if this merger goes through, then Paramount and Disney will control 60% of that.” So yes, movie studios will be very concentrated after this merger. Want me to visualize some of that? Well, here’s the share of films that grossed over $200 million at the domestic box office since 2022. (Note: this isn’t all films released in over 3,000 screens, but it is a good look at market power.) First, here are the 43 films by studio: Notice all the blue (Disney), orange (Universal), and purple (Warner Bros)? Yeah, those studios are powerful, and this combines Paramount with one of them. Here’s the look by studio and share of the films that grossed over $200 million: Now, if you look at that and also think, “Huh, should we break up Disney?” I’m with you. I’ve seen some folks poo-poo this idea that this is a real category, but it is! For an upcoming article, I’ve been pulling data on the share of top 100 films at the box office as a share of total box office, and it’s massive. Here’s the chart: (This analysis looks at The-Number’s top 100 films and total domestic box office each year.) To be clear, tentpoles make up 80.7% of the box office each year, so I do think it’s a genuine market. (To be clear, films grossing over $50 million make up 80% of the domestic box office, and films grossing over $100 million make up 64.1%.) I mean, the top 100 films at the box office make up 95% of each year’s grosses. Worse, the combined studios will likely cut output to flex that market power. Everyone can just look at what happened to Disney and Fox to see the precedent. (With fewer films, the remaining theaters have to give more for those few films that remain.) Here’s an image I’ve used a lot, the share of wide-release films from Disney and Fox over time: The AGs will also argue that this consolidation will also impact the cable industry. In this case, the consolidation is actually worse, but that environment is…complicated. Paramount will argue that the cable industry is shrinking. That said, predictions that cable will “go to zero” also don’t look very well supported by the data, as the declines are shrinking, meaning “cable” or “vMVPDs” will likely stabilize at some point. Can the state Attorneys General win on those two main arguments? I honestly don’t know. Again, I’d bet no, since history in general supports that, but it depends on the judge/jury and how they interpret the arguments. Notably, Paramount won’t face accusations about monopoly power in other areas, like streaming, news, sports rights, or vertical integration. I tend to disagree with leaving out sports rights, but I also see the appeal for a simpler case. The states also aren’t really pushing novel theories about labor harm either, which should help. (By the way, Sean McNulty at The Ankler wrote a great run through of potential options, and Capitol Forum also wrote a great paper on theatrical consolidation. Both these pieces predated the lawsuit. Matthew Stoller is also out with his analysis of the pros and cons of the case too.) In some ways, the WGA’s case is even stronger. Quoting Sean McNulty’s summary: “The WGA is citing WARNAMOUNT as crossing a 30% market share in multiple sectors, a number that the Supreme Court has precedent for deeming “presumptively anticompetitive” in a market. According to the WGA numbers, WARNAMOUNT would have represented: - 35% of film writing jobs between 2021 and 2024 - 36% of TV writing projects between 2022 and 2025 - 38% of overall deals between 2021 and 2024” Notably, antitrust enforcers did win recently in the Penguin-Simon & Schuster merger by focusing on labor impact, so don’t count this thinking out. (Wildcard: Will the states try to get a jury trial? Most likely no, they’ll let a judge handle it. If I’m them, though, I’d try to put this in front of a jury. Juries tend to understand monopoly power in a more realistic way than judges faced with legions of economists.) Question: What if They Win? What if They Lose?
Healey defends $2B courthouse deal for company connected to political heavyweights
Gov. Maura Healey is defending the nearly $2 billion state contract for a new Springfield courthouse awarded to a company co-owned by Ayanna Pressley’s husband and the current head of the MCCA.
47 revelatory hours with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
To review this month’s supposed remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, I must first correct the record. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced isn’t a game about pirates (and assassins) in the 18th century Caribbean. Sure, sure, that’s what the trailers would have you believe. They’ve go their clips of Edward Kenway swinging his swords and steering his pirate ship into cannon-blasting combat against British frigates. Is Resynced truly a pirate game? Of the 47 hours I spent playing Resynced over the past few weeks, I will admit I spent maybe 44 (?) of them collecting plunder with Blackbeard, drinking rum with Anne Bonny and debating the pros and cons of the lawless pirate-run settlement Nassau with Benjamin Hornigold. I may in fact have spent dozens of hours sailing to remote islands, reading treasure maps, opening messages left in bottles, sinking the odd Man o’ War with a well-timed broadside, collecting sea shanties for my crew, befriending a pet monkey, and hunting whales. I am nevertheless neither so Gullible nor so Narrow-Minded as to call the magnificent Resynced a “pirate remake.” Oh no. Forget any reviews of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced you may have read. Forget what you yourself may have played, if you’ve spent any time with the game since its launch. What Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is really about I’m here to give you the scoop (spoilers for Resynced’s Animus menu lore, which many players are probably not going to see): Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the new game whose development was led by Ubisoft Singapore, is set in the year 2096. It’s about a societal split, about revolution, about an old Assassin’s Creed adventure repurposed in the series’ distant future as propaganda or samizdat. It’s about the overheated future of 2096, essentially conquered by the series’ well-established nefarious Templar-run company Abstergo. (In this future, Abstergo is, among other things, remaking a 2013 pirate movie called Devils of the Caribbean, but this time in VR. The VR version will be backed by a marketing plan that involves AI influencers, a 10,000-avatar “metaverse premiere event” and that manufacturing of memes aimed at “50 million VR nodes.” See what I mean about Abstergo being evil?) Resynced is about a late 21st-century population mollified by the widespread use of Abstergo’s Animus devices which let people experience the lives of historical figures culled from “genetic memories.” It’s about an insurgent faction of Assassins. And it’s about a plan to wake the population into revolutionary fervor by showing them the memories of 18th century pirate Edward Kenway, who—as depicted in the original Black Flag and again in Resynced—gradually comes to an understanding about the Assassins of his day and their centuries old fight for freedom. Resynced is also about an AI developed within the late 21st-century Animus, called Ego. It has found a way to alter genetic memories, to create and show Animus users false ones. The game is about Ego’s efforts to tell the people experiencing Edward Kenway’s memories that Kenway was wrong, that fighting against order is folly, that we should crave a world where “compliance is rewarded with power.” Who are we in this game? We’re an unnamed Animus user in 2096 who experiences Kenway’s journey virtually. At four moments during Kenway’s exploits in the Caribbean our virtual jaunt can be interrupted for 10-15 minutes, as we explore Animus “rifts” where Ego explicitly tries to tell us how wrong Kenway was. None of this is what 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was about, of course. That was a different game, even if you also spent dozens of hours pirating as Kenway in that game, across missions and a map that’s been faithfully reintroduced and rebuilt for Resynced. The 2013 Black Flag was about you playing as an unnamed researcher newly hired in 2013 by Abstergo Entertainment, the video game development wing of the Templars’ evil-corp. In that game, you were assigned to use the Animus to dive into the genetic memories of Desmond Miles, a man who died in Assassin’s Creed III and who was descended from a long line of Assassins (and at least one Templar) whose adventures were featured across the prior AC games. In 2013’s Black Flag, your mission was to plumb the Edward Kenway experience for material that Abstergo could use in productions such as the motion picture Devils of the Caribbean, though the Templars had some ulterior motives for the assignment. Resynced is therefore not a remake of 2013’s Black Flag. It’s a sequel. It is a new game about a new exploration of Edward Kenway’s pirate/assassin journey, set 83 years after the framing sequences of the original game. Resynced provides a new narrative framework that, thanks to the concept of an AI that wants to alter historical memories, arrives with creative justification to tweak a now-classic 13-year old game. That makes Resynced, already a hot seller, a tantalizing hint of where Ubisoft could go with a line of Assassin’s Creed remakes. They could remake the first game, the Ezio games, even the recent ones set in ancient Egypt and Greece. And for each, they could not just modernize the graphics and controls but expand and alter their sequences of events to use them as reference points for a conflict set in the late 21st century, as rival factions try to weaponize historical memories. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, even when that work consists of ravings about Assassin’s Creed’s modern day plot, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe A story most players will probably miss If you didn’t know any of this, I’m not surprised. If you played the game and still didn’t catch it, I’m not a bit shocked. If Ubisoft has no plans to do more of this, I won’t fall down. Almost all of what I’ve described is optional and missable in Black Flag Resynced. I nearly missed it myself, as I planned for a breezy playthrough of an old Assassin’s Creed favorite. Instead, I found myself in a 40+ hour hunt for the “real” story, buried deeper in Resynced than any gold-filled chest. The story of 2096 is Resynced’s meta-story, told in two remote pockets of the game: 1) four optional playable “rifts” that players may find as they proceed through Resynced’s pirate fantasy , 2) in dozens of text files tucked three menus deep in the game’s barely-interactive Animus hub. Assassin’s Creed games have almost always had a meta-story about people in the 21st century (usually matching the game’s release year) and their connections to the main history portions you play. Those meta-stories have always been squeezed into the margins, though seldom as severely and as, uh, graphiaclly simple, as in recent games. Back in 2013, the modern-day exploits of you as an Abstergo Entertainment employee were prominent. They were portrayed via first-person portions that occasionally interrupted the third-person Kenway experience and could be explored for hours, complete with their own missions, side quests and puzzles. Resynced’s 2096 story—of Assassin “Watchers” vs. Abstergo/Tempar goons, of rogue AIs, of panicking scientists, of a woman wondering why her Animus-addicted husband is muttering about Mary Read (“What does he mean by Assassins?”), of a fight for the population’s hearts and minds via varying interpretations of Edward Kenway’s life choices—is mostly told through unlockable text files. The files are interesting. Offered via diary entries, intercepted chats and news reports, they present varied perspectives of a world in crisis. One set works as a narrative puzzle as it reveals the Rashomonic interpretations of a massacre, or was that a successful Assassin hit? Another favorite reveals the rising bitterness of a person who, through Edward Kenway’s journey, now shakes at the ignored evil around him. One surmises that Ubisoft is averse to putting the Assassin’s Creed’s meta-story in the way of more marketable pirate playgrounds and ninja/samurai epics. Instead, we get a better-than-nothing text-in-menus approach introduced in 2025’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In Shadows, players unlocked the meta-story text files largely via time-gated missions that called on the user to kill X number of enemy type Y, clear three enemy castles, re-win a three-phase fighting tournament, and other grinds. Time restrictions on accessing these missions and unlocking the files meant it could take players months to access the full story in-game. But even in the most hardcore Assassin’s Creed hangouts, the fanbase instead seemed to throw up their hands rather than grind to keep up. In Resynced, Ubisoft has shown some mercy, diminishing the amount of new text files that are tied to timed grinds. Now, most of the text-based 2096 lore are associated with “data file” collectibles that players can find in the world. That includes a batch of written entries that explain a historical link between the feudal Japan era in Shadows and the piracy adventures in Black Flag. Players who explore a lot will find dozens of data files, though the game does not appear to offer any in-game tracker for finding each one. You just need to keep looking for them. As of this writing, I have most of them, but not all. I can’t find any full guide for them online. And even Ubisoft’s optional $5 microtransaction that reveals lots of items in-game does not appear to reveal the locations of the text files (at least the official description omits them from its collectibles list). That’s not a huge bother, because tracking the data files down compelled me to re-explore the waves and islands of Black Flag. That was a thoroughly pleasant task to do for the first time in a dozen years. I expect many players, though, will be content to wait for the files to be reproduced in an online AC wiki somewhere, the easier to read on a web page. It may not seem enticing to play a video game in order to gradually unlock pages of text to read. Why not, you may ask, just read a book, where they put the pages in order? For one, they’ve not tucked this latest installment of Assassin’s Creed’s meta saga in a book. I also enjoy the unordered delivery, the dawning comprehension of a story about 2096’s desperate people and questionable tech, which I glimpsed first at its middle, then the end, then the front, then other moments in between1. I am also enamored with the idea of the Assassin’s Creed games I’ve previously played, including Black Flag, being repurposed for an information war. The ideas in Resynced’s meta-story, which builds off characters and ideas in Shadows’ chunks of text, are strong. The potential of where they could go with it is exciting. As for the pirate stuff? Looks great, controls pretty well, is fun to play and oh so speedy in terms of how much of a good time you can have with each sit-down. It never gets old to chase a new shanty page across a rooftop, bombard a fort with upgraded mortars or use a diving bell to explore sunken wrecks (hats off to the team at Ubisoft Barcelona that worked on the underwater portions in Resynced; that team is now facing layoffs, such is the misery of modern gaming and oft-troubled Ubisoft). New pirate missions in Resynced involving new ally characters are brief, dramatic and add more to Edward’s story, even if the gameplay perks they provide barely enhance the gameplay. A new denouement for high-class pirate Stede Bonnet is affecting; a new hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure is a welcome extra moment. A new epilogue to hunt down a pirate killer, on the other hand, over-complicates Kenway’s character. The ending credits remain my favorite of any game I’ve ever played. Black Flag provides great source material. The revisit is well-made and a great sign of what could be. It is offered in a different wrapper that hints at an opportunity for more interesting remakes to come, should Ubisoft choose to pursue such treasures—and as we brace to resist or comply with an Abstergo future. 1 The messages that Edward Kenway finds in bottles tell another out-of-order story, one about a man reckoning with the strange memories and voices he’s heard in his head since he was a boy. That tale was also in the 2013 game and develops into one of Black Flag’s most compelling character arcs. In Resynced, it has lost its climax, because the bottle story previously paid off in the halls of the first-person Abstergo Entertainment, which is exclusive to the older game. An altered resolution, written by the 2013 game’s lead writer is fine, doesn’t invalidate the 2013 version, but makes for an inferior final note.
Fenway Health Welcomes Governor Healey’s Signing of the FY27 Budget, Advancing LGBTQIA+ Health and HIV Prevention
Governor Healey’s signing of the FY27 budget marks an important step forward for LGBTQIA+ health, HIV prevention, and health equity in Massachusetts. At a t ...
“Worst Toxicity I’ve Seen On The Internet” – Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Shares Brutal Reality Of Sports Gambling
Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, recently opened up about the brutal reality of sports gambling he witnessed once he started dating the American, highlighting the harassment from sports bettors. Williams returned to professional tennis in June 2026 after nearly four years away from the sport.
Ramp co-CEO hired gamers with Minecraft side hustle
Ramp CEO Eric Glyman said he hired a candidate because of their Minecraft business. He said that Ramp wanted leaders of "bizarre fringe communities."
Payback politics? Wu backs challengers to state senators who blocked her tax plan
In a highly unusual move in the insular world of Massachusetts politics, Wu is the first mayor in recent memory to openly campaign against state senators who have blocked her priorities.
Anthropic’s Claude Science app is coming for Kendall Square
Few places on the planet have more at stake in AI’s transformation and disruption of life sciences than the Massachusetts biomedical ecosystem.
Anthropic's Claude Science could disrupt Kendall Square and biopharma
Few places on the planet have more at stake in AI’s transformation and disruption of life sciences than the Massachusetts biomedical ecosystem.
"Uncertainty" for 2 historic theaters in Massachusetts amid building sale, business owners say
The buildings that house the Somerville Theatre and the Capitol Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts are for sale.
Moses was the ‘first capitalist’ and Cain the ‘first socialist.’ Thus saith this LDS influencer from the past
Conservative LDS writer Cleon Skousen has been dead for 20 years. But his approach to the Bible and politics remains very much alive in the church and the nation.
M+C Saatchi NA launches entertainment arm as branded content booms
Jen Bacchus, a former WME executive, is leading the specialized offering that aims to help clients drive deeper cultural relevance.
‘Daredevil’ star Wai Ching Ho dies at 82
The film and television veteran was also known for her roles in “Hustlers,” “Iron Fist,” “Turning Red,” and “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.”
Retiree, 75, lives out of a backpack, traveling the world with husband
Christine Casady says she and her husband are frugal by nature but have splurged in retirement on experiences like a $7,200 liveaboard snorkeling trip in Indonesia.
We tested 42 sun shirts to find ones that stay cool and dry on active summer days
I tested 42 sun shirts with the help of my landscaper husband to find lightweight, UPF-rated designs that wick sweat and stay cool in the summer heat.
Proposed federal funding rules could upend research and more
With Massachusetts receiving the most NIH funding per capita, the proposed rules are expected to have an outsized effect on a state.
Scientists’ Side Hustle? Using AI and Quantum Computing to Generate New Peptides
Researchers cobbled together funding and time to show how quantum computing could aid in the development of drugs to help underserved populations and combat rare diseases.
I'm a chauffeur. Tips determine if my side hustle is worth it.
A chauffeur in Florida discusses the importance of tips in black car services and the challenges of gig work for drivers.
Hundreds of sailors to enjoy weekend on the water
More than 80 yachts and hundreds of sailing enthusiasts will take part.
Anne Hathaway hopes that her kids grow up to be as ‘wonderful’ as this “Odyssey ”star
Hathaway is currently pregnant with her and husband Adam Shulman’s third child.
Nebraska fans frustrated by changes in volleyball reseating at Bob Devaney Sports Center
Husker volleyball fans are voicing their frustration on social media over changes in the season ticket reseating process.
After Leaving the Marine Corps, She Spent $20 to Start a Side Hustle. Now Her Business Makes $3M a Month: ‘People Absolutely Loved It.’
Hannah Pollack's elevated twist on a nostalgic sweet gained fans immediately.
FDA quietly pushes back deadline on electric shock ban
Massachusetts' biggest nursing strike ever, tackling the male loneliness epidemic, and other health news for Morning Rounds
Mass. House passes pilot for psychedelic mental health treatments
The Massachusetts House on Thursday passed language creating a five-year pilot program that would allow licensed mental health care clinics to offer on-site psychedelic treatments.
OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR DISABLED IN VERMONT
Mountain bike enthusiasts have been working for years on an ambitious 485-mile, multi-use trail called The Velomont that will span the length of the state. They're making sure it's friendly for people people with disabilities, particularly cyclists.
Bill to protect health care workers from workplace violence set for Senate vote next week
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka unveiled a bill Thursday mandating employers to offer paid leave to healthcare workers assaulted on the job.
Talarico polling stronger with Texas' Black voters than expected, but enthusiasm questions remain
Recent polling from The Texas Politics Project suggests Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is performing better with Black voters than his predecessors were at this point in their campaigns.
Bonnie Tyler dies: 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer was 75
Bonnie Tyler, the husky-voiced powerhouse vocalist who delivered memorable and dramatic pop-rock songs including 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' in the 1980s, has died.
Black marine scientists fight for Florida's coral reefs
Marine life has been experiencing a prolonged heat wave with no end in sight. Divers with BIMS, a global nonprofit network of Black ocean scientists and marine enthusiasts, joined the University of Miami's Rescue a Reef program to plant nursery-grown corals along the Florida Reef Tract. But for them, this work is about more than corals; it's also about Black representation in marine science.
M+C Saatchi North America Launches Entertainment Marketing Practice
Little Black Book, Former WME executive Jen Bacchus joins to build the agency’s new North American capability spanning talent strategy, entertainment partnerships, brand integrations and branded content
High school sports community mourns loss of Herald legend Danny Ventura
The Massachusetts high school sports community revered Boston Herald legend Danny Ventura, who died Tuesday at the age of 66.
MAD: M+C Saatchi NA Names Bacchus To Lead New Entertainment Practice
Bacchus is based in Los Angeles and will report to Derek Goode, Managing Director, M+C Saatchi Sport+Entertainment.
ENTERTAINMENT: Home brewers to compete at museum’s Hop-Off
The competition for the best historic home-brew uses historical prompts and recipes as inspiration; adult visitors can sample the beers and vote for a People's Choice Award while a panel of beer enthusiasts chooses the winner of the Taster's Choice Award.
M+C Saatchi North America Launches Entertainment Marketing Practice, Taps Jen Bacchus to Lead
The former WME exec will report to Derek Goode as the agency expands its Sports+Entertainment offering
M+C Saatchi North America Launches Entertainment Marketing Practice, Taps Jen Bacchus to Lead
Former WME exec Jen Bacchus will report to Derek Goode as M+C Saatchi North America expands its Sports+Entertainment offering.
Jack Sawyer’s Breakout Potential Could Create Steelers Edge Rusher Logjam
If there is one position where the Pittsburgh Steelers are deep, it is on the edge. The group is headlined by the tremendous duo of Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt. One pleasant surprise last season was fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State.
Citadel Securities says AI will be a boon for US hustle culture
Citadel Securities says AI is bolstering one of America's biggest economic advantages, lowering barriers for side hustlers and entrepreneurs.
Small Business Spotlight: Business blooms beyond bouquets
BUSINESS: The Busy Bloom OWNERS: Amanda and Walter Adkins ADDRESS: 708 S. 17th St., Wilmington EMAIL: thebusybloomco@gmail.com WEBSITE: thebusybloomco.com PHONE NUMBER: (910) 742-0790 YEAR FOUNDED: 2024 NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 4 WHAT IS THE BUSY BLOOM? AMANDA ADKINS: “The Busy Bloom is a flower shop with a spin – a creative experience shop located in Wilmington’s Cargo District. Founded in 2024 by husband-and-wife team Amanda and Walter Adkins, we offer fresh flowers, botanical teas, a build-your-own bouquet bar, candle-making experiences, gifts, workshops, wedding florals and event services. Our mission is simple: to make flowers accessible, approachable and enjoyable for everyone – not just for special occasions.” WHY DID YOU START THE BUSINESS? AMANDA ADKINS: “The Busy Bloom was born from a lifelong connection to flowers and a desire to create meaningful experiences for people. After doing my own wedding florals and after years of working in healthcare management, I found myself returning to gardening and floral design as a creative outlet and source of healing. The loss of my mother-in-law, who always shared flowers from her garden, inspired me to pursue floristry full-time. My husband encouraged me and built a small flower cart for us to grow, and fast forward to now, two years later, it has grown into a community-centered business focused on bringing joy, connection and creativity through flowers.” WHAT KIND OF GROWTH ARE YOU HOPING FOR? AMANDA ADKINS: “We’re focused on sustainable growth that allows us to continue serving our community while expanding creative experiences. We hope to grow our wedding and event services, expand our educational workshops and creative programming and become a destination where people can gather, create and connect. We’re also passionate about creating opportunities that showcase floral design as an art form, such as our Fleur Couture fashion show and other community collaborations.” WHAT PAST EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD WITH STARTING/WORKING IN BUSINESS? AMANDA ADKINS: “Before opening The Busy Bloom, I worked as a clinical manager in healthcare and spent years building leadership, operations and customer service skills. I’ve also worked in education and nonprofit programming, teaching people about nature and local ecosystems. Along the way, I designed flowers for weddings and events on the side, gradually turning a passion into a business. Walter has years of welding and construction experience, combined with entrepreneurship and a drive to own his own company. …The Busy Bloom has been a journey of combining creativity with entrepreneurship alongside my husband ... learning every step of the way.”
The Lexington Problem: Beating the Literacy Odds Without the Science of Reading
Aldeman: As Massachusetts implements a new literacy mandate, officials must not lose sight of the ultimate goal: helping more students learn to read
Academic Excellence Award Winner
Academic Excellence Award Winner Erin shares her experiences as a Public and Community Health Major, with double minors in Legal Studies and Health Policy and Management:"I came to Ithaca from the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts knowing that I wanted an education that would allow me to change the world in a positive light. Admittedly, I was unaware when choosing the public health major just how much of an impact I could make, but through my experiences in this rigorous program, I know public health is where I am meant to be. Being a public health major during the COVID-19 pandemic was a unique experience. My education granted me the opportunity to work on and off campus with different populations to provide support during the pandemic. Professor Srijana Bajracharya was my professor for Research Methods in Health. She encouraged her class to create research projects that would benefit our communities. She was a mentor for me and helped me find my passion in research, which I have brought with me to my job as a research assistant for Rescue - The Behavior Change Agency. I thank Professor Bajracharya for her guidance and support throughout my time as a public health student."
Mitch’s Wife Makes Jaw-Dropping Admission About His Health
Elaine Chao is breaking her silence amid a mystery over her 84-year-old husband’s true condition.
UMass Lowell business students help an endangered species: Duckpin bowling
UMass Lowell business students in the Manning School’s Mill City Consulting course helped modernize North Chelmsford Lanes, one of only two remaining duckpin bowling alleys in Massachusetts, while preserving the qualities that have made it …
HUSKERS SOFTBALL 2026 Part 2: The Games That Got Away
In a 52-8 season, not too many got away…but a few did. And Lori Sippel retired, which is huge in more than one way.
It's Seattle's best sports year yet. Will Mayor Katie Wilson benefit?
Seattle sports enthusiasm has maybe never been more obvious than this year. The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, the World Cup is he, and the SuperSonics feel closer than ever to potentially returning. None of that is due to Mayor Katie Wilson, but will she benefit from it?
College Merger Sparks Athletics Lawsuit Amid Enrollment Cliff
As some colleges merge to better handle a new higher education landscape with fewer students—and thus diminished tuition, dorm and meal plan revenue—along with less federal money for research, greater restrictions on international student visas and more restrictive federal student loan caps, the athletics implications could prove confounding and litigious. Enter: a new lawsuit brought …
Digesting all the consequences of a weighty Colorado primary election
I arrived home on election night just in time to catch the 10 p.m. news. Flipping to Channel 9 and Kyle Clark, I found him engaged in conversation with a reporter at the Melat Kiros primary victory celebration. The pair expressed surprise at the energetic chants of “Melat!, Melat!” The on-site reporter found the enthusiasm […]
Cook review: ‘Minions & Monsters’ is a clever comedy about movie history
Everybody who’s seen the 1998 “Ronin” raise your hand. Really? You’ve missed a terrific action movie starring Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno is thusly named because it’s a parallel for the Japanese word ...
I brought my kids with me on a work trip for first time; made it work
For the first time, I brought my kids and husband with me on a work trip. Traveling with a toddler and baby while juggling work was hard but worth it.
Politics is personal for a CT attorney. She’s also a Haitian immigrant now running for Congress
After a years-long journey in search of the American Dream, she eventually received her law degree, bought a home at the age of 30, and is now raising three children with her husband.
Dear Abby | Man's excuses and absences continue to expand
Dear Abby: I have been married to my husband for 10 years. Ever since I have known him, he has had issues with depression and anxiety. I have tried to
Dear Abby: My husband refuses to get help for his mental health issues. I feel like I’m going at it alone
She's a counselor and can see where this road is leading. Is it time to get off it?
What chronic illness taught me about running a leaner, smarter business
When my health made hustle impossible, I discovered that sustainable growth comes from operational discipline, not founder endurance.
What chronic illness taught me about running a leaner, smarter business
When my health made hustle impossible, I discovered that sustainable growth comes from operational discipline, not founder endurance.
How I Went From Side Hustle to 7 Figures in 12 Months Using 4 AI Tools (No Employees, No Investors)
Most solopreneurs aren't failing because they need more AI tools —they're failing because they're using AI to patch outdated systems instead of rebuilding their business around an AI-first workflow that scales.
Karlie Kloss attends Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding a decade after reported falling out
Karlie Kloss and her husband, Joshua Kushner, attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding at Madison Square Garden a decade after rumors swirled that the singer and the supermodel had a falling out.
Five Heart Podcast: The Band is Back Together
You’re seeing it all correctly. Do not adjust your antennae. Minnie is BACK! This week on the Five Heart Podcast, the unexplainable legal trouble of current and former Husker athletes. How does the distraction affect the Huskers? Will this provide some on-the-field clarity as far as who will be the designated number one RB in […]
Court Stops USDA From Enforcing Funding Conditions Tied to DEI, Women’s Sports
The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to withhold funding from states and grant recipients that have not confirmed their compliance with Trump administration policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), “gender ideology,” women’s and girls’ sports, and immigration.
Massachusetts Chooses Literacy Over Union Politics
Governor Maura Healey signs a major education reform bill, showing that even blue states can stand up to teachers’ unions.
Bonus 236: A Term of Self-Inflicted Wounds
Within minutes of the Supreme Court handing down the birthright citizenship ruling on Tuesday and rising for its summer recess, its defenders were pointing to that decision (alongside the late-arriving mail-in ballots ruling on Monday and the tariffs ruling from February) as decisive proof that the Court really is “above politics,” and that criticisms of the justices for behaving more like politicians in robes than like judges are thus unfair. For a particularly thoughtful version of this claim, see Professor Will Baude’s opening response to the latest New York Times written roundtable about the Court with Baude, Professor Kate Shaw, and me. In that roundtable, I already offered one of the two major arguments against this thesis—that it’s an assessment of the numerator without regard to the denominator, and that a full account of the Court’s behavior throughout OT2025 suggests that the Court behaved even more politically during the current term than during even the previous (highly politicized) one. Just to take one of many data points, last term (OT2024), there were six rulings in argued cases in which all six Republican-appointed justices were in the majority and all three of the Democratic appointees were in dissent (along with a slew of such rulings on the emergency docket). This term, there were … 13. (Along with two 6-3 summary reversals and 10 rulings on the emergency docket from which the three Democratic appointees all dissented.) Today’s bonus issue addresses the flip side of that coin. In particular, below the fold, I identify four different moments in which the justices could have acted in ways to specifically defuse charges of political behavior—and opted instead to lean all the way in. As much as end-of-term narratives focus on what the Court did, and on the takeaways from individual rulings, consider today’s post an attempt to identify opportunities that the Court missed, as well. At least in the examples discussed below, by opting for the outcome that made the Court look more transparently political, the Court inflicted a series of (unnecessary) credibility wounds on itself. For those who aren’t paid subscribers, we’ll be back Monday with our regular coverage of the Court. For those who are, please read on.
How an interior designer started an eco-friendly product side hustle
An interior designer launched an eco-friendly online marketplace for household products to expand his creativity and make more money.
All politics is local — even the Declaration of Independence
"What I found to my surprise," said Maier, "was this mass of local 'declarations of independence,' the greater part of which come from Massachusetts."
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s rent crusade might be coming to your city
Rent control movements surge in Massachusetts, California
Do this, not that: Health warnings, tips ahead of 4-day heat wave
To prevent illness and injuries, health officials recommend the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council.
WATCH: Obama, Harris advisor warns ‘betrayed’ Black voters could be Texas Senate candidate's kryptonite
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is facing a problem of Black voter enthusiasm in Texas after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett, according to party insiders.
2026 World Cup Public Health Guide: Expert Safety Tips for Fans
With the World Cup in full swing, the influx of fans is bringing enthusiasm, passion and potential pathogens. An estimated 6.5 million fans are converging across Canada, Mexico and the United States in 16 host cities, and while it’s possible serious diseases can spread during this event, the risk ...
'60 Minutes' shake-up continues with departure of longtime producer
The newsroom at "60 Minutes" is facing another goodbye. Henry Schuster, a longtime producer on the CBS program, revealed his departure in a LinkedIn post Monday, June 29.
Medicaid work requirements challenged by coalition of 26 states
Led by Massachusetts and California, the plaintiffs say CMS ignored the will of Congress by strictly defining a “medically frail” exemption that would allow a person access to safety net medical coverage.
Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-husband Tate Paul files for restraining order against reality star
Tate Paul, the ex-husband of embattled reality star Taylor Frankie Paul, is now the second of her exes to seek a restraining order against her.
Doctor warns of health risks as Massachusetts heat wave intensifies
Massachusetts faces a dangerous heat stretch, and a South Shore Health doctor warns the heat can strain the heart and other organs.
Fox News Poll: Maine Senate race is tight, with concerns about both candidates
Susan Collins holds a slim 3-point lead over Graham Platner in Maine, but a 15-point enthusiasm gap among Democrats keeps the race competitive.
Lionel Richie's ex-wife shares update on singer's condition after hospitalization
Lionel Richie's ex-wife, Brenda Harvey Richie, shared news on her former husband's health after a medical incident led to a concert stoppage and hospitalization.
Weird Science: Space enthusiasts helping train AI system to unlock deep secrets of spiral galaxies
Led by Dr. Patrick Treuthardt of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the project asks everyday volunteers to review automated, color-coded maps of spiral galaxy arms.
Opinion | Protect the workers who protect our health
Massachusetts lawmakers should pass bipartisan workplace violence reforms before the legislative session ends.
Sewer overflow from Haverhill leaves businesses scrambling as several Massachusetts beaches close
Jodie Turner-Smith offers rare comments about co-parenting with ex Joshua Jackson
Jodie Turner-Smith says she and ex-husband Joshua Jackson are 'learning' and 'not alway getting it totally right' when it comes to co-parenting their daughter together.
Couple doubled their starter house's square footage for $500K
Olivia DiBona and her husband lived with her parents for six months while they renovated their house. They doubled their square footage for $500,000.
America @ 250: Alex Wysocki asks, ‘Are short-term political gains worth giving up the big picture?’
Alex Wysocki is a television producer, filmmaker, husband and father of three. He and his wife Abigail moved to Champaign during the COVID-19 pandemic and are raising their family here.
BUSINESS BRIEFS June 29, 2026: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond
Business news from Christine Bilé, BFAIR, UCP of Western Massachusetts, Lipton Energy, BCC, and more.
Where Side Hustles Businesses Are Booming: The Top Cities in America Right Now
Miami and other hotspots are seeing a surge in side hustle businesses. Here’s how to choose one that matches your skills and schedule.
‘Odyssey’ fever grips the Classics world
(CNN) — As fans of Christopher Nolan eagerly await the July 17 release of his take on “The Odyssey,” a different kind of enthusiast is also bristling with anticipation: scholars
Pols & Politics: Why not make looser drinking laws for World Cup permanent, observers ask
Massachusetts relaxed its rules on public drinking to accommodate World Cup fans. One libertarian magazine is wondering why it isn’t permanent. Plus: Lawsuit to compel audit being considered.
What's Happening: RI Small business shopping village
WPRI 12 News on WPRI.com is Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts' local news, weather, sports, politics, and investigative journalism source.
NBA No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa throws first pitch before Yankees-Red Sox game, lobs eephus pitch for a strike
Bridget and Mike Chiodo on Strong Bond, Health Struggles, Family
Influencer Bridget Bahl and her husband Dr. Mike Chiodo join TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones to celebrate Bridget becoming cancer free, open up about their steadfast bond and share an update on their dream of starting a family.
Massachusetts marijuana legalization repeal question battle heats up
Cannabis industry leaders are urging businesses to take the initiative seriously after many previously dismissed its chances.
Blue Jackets acquire Valeri Nichushkin from Avalanche: Sources
Nichushkin, 31, has four years left on his current deal and a 12-team no-trade list.
Emily Ratajkowski says she rejects the label 'divorced single mom'
Emily Ratajkowski is opening up about resenting the label "divorced single mom" following her split from ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.
Keith Flaherty: Translating Science into Medicine
Keith Flaherty: Translating Science into Medicine / American Association for Cancer Research, cancer, Keith Flaherty, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Giant viruses discovered on Greenland ice sheet may slow glacial melting - Futura-Sciences
Giant viruses defy microbiological norms Lead author Laura Perini and her team at the Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University identified the microorganisms during a field survey of Arctic ice. Measuring up to 2.5 micrometers in length, these viral specimens are roughly 125 times larger than conventional viral strains....
Day Two of Competition Highlights Athletes Across Multiple Sports
The second day of competition at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games was cut short due to inclement weather, but not before some memorable moments. Before outdoor events were halted, athletes showcased speed on the track, excitement and enthusiasm at gymnastics, and pride on the football and soccer fields. Even as an athletics athlete from Special Olympics Southern California lost his shoe, he managed to win the race.
Financially independent millennial shares best and worst side hustles
"There is a side hustle for everyone," said Cody Berman, who's experimented with more than 30 different ways to make money.
Melissa Gilbert leaves NYC amid husband Timothy Busfield's legal troubles
Melissa Gilbert is leaving the Big Apple apartment she shared with husband Timothy Busfield after eight years.
Daughter of Oscar-winning director found dead with husband in car
Judith Sheldon, daughter of Oscar-winning 'Ben-Hur' director William Wyler, was found dead with her husband Wylie Sheldon in their car along the side of Interstate 5 near Redding, Calif., on June 15.
Massachusetts man among 455 charged in nationwide crackdown on health care fraud
A Massachusetts man is among 455 people charged in a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud, with the Stoughton man allegedly carrying out an over $5 million Medicare fraud scheme.
We moved from the US to Barbados. Our 8 kids are more independent now.
Lisa Desai and her husband decided to move to Barbados from Florida because they craved freedom and adventure for their eight kids.
The Extraordinary Embezzlement Case That Rocked Scottish Politics
Peter Murrell, the husband of the former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, was sentenced on Tuesday after he admitted to buying a bizarre range of items with the Scottish National Party’s money.
Approved ballot question would eliminate political party primaries for elections in Massachusetts
Massachusetts highest court approved a ballot question that would eliminate political party primaries for state elections.
Start Building With 30+ Prime Day Lego Deals on Star Wars, Minecraft and Botanical Sets
Save some cash on popular Lego sets with these Prime Day steals. We've found something for everyone, from Marvel fans to car enthusiasts.
Savannah Guthrie praises husband Mike Feldman in rare Father's Day post
"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie shone the Father's Day love light on her husband Mike Feldman, calling her supportive spouse of 12 years the family's "hero."