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Apple implements price hikes for its TV streaming service and 'One' subscription bundle
Apple TV now costs $14.99 per month after a $2 streaming price increase, while the Apple One bundle was also hiked to $21.95.
Apple implements price hikes for its TV streaming service and 'One' subscription bundle
Apple TV now costs $14.99 per month after a $2 streaming price increase, while the Apple One bundle was also hiked to $21.95.
Trump says U.S. has entered deal with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves
President Trump says his administration has entered a sweeping agreement with Venezuela that could give the U.S. access to vast amounts of the South American country's untapped oil reserves, at cost.
Packers highlights vs Cardinals preseason game at Lambeau Field
The Packers are playing the Cardinals in their preseason finale. See photos from the game at Lambeau Field.
Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials
NEW YORK — The recent announcement of Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in decades has ignited a public feud among politicians and health officials who disagree over the role of the contagious disease in the fatalities.
Lindale business fire serves as critical reminder on emergency reporting
Lindale firefighters quickly extinguished a fire Friday at Great American Classics in Lindale. The fire also served as a critical reminder for residents about emergency reporting.
Owner Michael Bidwill Talks About Future Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Performance Center
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill joins the team's broadcast before their preseason game against the Packers to give an update on the team's performance center being built in Phoenix.
RFK Jr. questions measles deaths in Pennsylvania
Click in for more news from The Hill{beacon} Healthcare Healthcare The Big Story RFK Jr. seizes on Shapiro’s measles statements Top Trump administration health officials are seiz…
3 waiver claim candidates for the Bengals during final cuts
Cameron Williams is a young prospect at tackle that could become available this weekend.
Eagles vs. Bengals preseason game updates
Eagles preseason football wraps up on Friday night against the Bengals!
NYC health department announces 2 more deaths linked to Legionnaires' outbreak
Officials said there is no evidence of ongoing transmission.
Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials
The recent announcement of Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in decades has ignited a public feud among politicians and health officials who disagree over the role of the contagious disease in the fatalities
Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials
NEW YORK (AP) — The recent announcement of Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in decades has ignited a public feud among politicians and health officials who disagree over the role of the contagious disease in the fatalities.
Letters: Supreme Court’s decision on voting by mail is clearly political
Also: Usurping control | Environmental laws | Fiscal responsibility | USS Lincoln | Costly disaster. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for Aug. 30, 2026.
One question about the Constitution puts liberals’ appetite for sweeping change to the test
March on Washington activists called to abolish the Senate and rewrite the Constitution while pushing Zohran Mamdani-style socialist policies.
Report: New Yorkers paying $5,000 for everyday essentials
A new report from the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee – Minority finds New Yorkers are paying $5,000 more on everyday goods and services as of July 2026.
Trump says he will observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon
Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York observance and other administration officials will go to the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Trump says he will observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon
Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York observance and other administration officials will go to the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Trump says he will observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon
Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York observance and other administration officials will go to the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Hochul, Blakeman turn up the heat on campaign trail this week
The rivals traded barbs over Penn Station and ICE.
Bentonville, Springdale hospitals become level III trauma centers
Joplin, Mo.-based Freeman Health System said its hospitals in Bentonville and Springdale have been designated as Level III trauma centers by the Arkansas Department of Health. A Freeman Health System...
Bentonville, Springdale hospitals become level III trauma centers
Joplin, Mo.-based Freeman Health System said its hospitals in Bentonville and Springdale have been designated as Level III trauma centers by the Arkansas Department of Health. A Freeman Health System...
‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves reveals the former houseguest she wanted back (exclusive)
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Weekly, ‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves reveals the former houseguest she wanted back via a power, and how the new twist will take the game to a ‘Whole. New. Level.’
As Maine reports more cyclosporiasis cases, health officials say outbreak may be slowing
The Maine CDC is reporting 49 cases of the illness, with 15 of those linked to the national outbreak.
Politics Unusual: NJ Transit president, NYS Sen. Gournardes
In this special episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY's Teresa Priolo speaks with NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri about the $4 million loss during the World Cup. Also, a conversation with State Senator Andrew Gounardes about protecting children from the negative effects of social media.
DKNG Soars Nearly 10%, FLUT Jumps 8% — DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment Rally On Ruling That Sports Bets Aren’t Swaps
A Ninth Circuit appeals court ruling that sports bets are not swaps removes a potential regulatory hurdle for DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment.
Milo Yiannopoulos, a far-right political commentator, reportedly detained by ICE
A former editor of Breitbart News, Yiannopoulos has also served as an intern for Marjorie Taylor Greene
Google didn’t kick Pixel 11 trade-in values off a cliff this year – here’s what you can get
While the US Google Store’s pre-order and launch period deals have ended, Google has started a new round of boosted trade-in values...
Business networking event connects professionals
Event designed to make networking more relaxed, fun.
‘There are several reasons why we’re in this precarious situation’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
U.S. appeals court rules against prediction markets, sets up likely fight at Supreme Court
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sports-related event contracts are not swaps, contradicting a Third Circuit ruling from April.
Mothman Festival announces vendor, safety, entertainment updates ahead of September return
The Renee Stewart Band has also joined the live entertainment roster.
Healthcare Freefall: AI arms race hits rural healthcare as hospitals fight to keep up
Editor’s Note: Colorado’s healthcare system is entering a period of accelerating instability — a “tsunami,” as multiple leaders describe it — driven by collapsing hospital finances, shrinking Medicaid reimbursements, disappearing services and a political fight over who is responsible for this unraveling. Healthcare Freefall is a multipart series examining how Colorado arrived at this moment, […]
California Business Lobby Notches Win on Antitrust Law Expansion
Business interests scaled back a California proposal to significantly expand the state’s antitrust laws, just days before the legislative deadline on Monday.
Trump election fraud crackdown lands first arrest, putting longtime critics in White House crosshairs
A Honduran national in Los Angeles faces felony charges and deportation after allegedly registering to vote, as officials promise more arrests to come.
NVIDIA Buys Hugging Face: Three Implications For Your Business
NVIDIA is reportedly buying Hugging Face. What the deal means for open-source/open-weight AI infrastructure. Three implications and immediate actions for your business.
County board allows housing with retail at Reston’s Lake Fairfax Business Park
Previous Image 1/2 Next Image Fairfax County officials are on board with the idea of redeveloping Lake Fairfax Business Park in Reston into a large residential neighborhood. After a public hearing on Tuesday (Aug. 25), the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to its comprehensive plan to allow up to 1,250 residential units with supporting
Packers vs. Cardinals Tonight: How to Watch, Odds & Prediction
The Green Bay Packers will finish their preseason at Lambeau Field on Friday night with a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals that gives Matt LaFleur one final look at the bottom half of his roster before cuts.Green Bay hosts Arizona after splitting its first two preseason games, including a 33-13 win at Denver last week. […] The post Packers vs. Cardinals Tonight: How to Watch, Odds & Prediction appeared first on HEAVY.
NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney Employee Receives Award from LeadingAge New York
NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney announced the recognition of Kurt Bartholomew as recipient of the 2026 LeadingAge New York’s Employee of Distinction
Nearly 1 in 5 Medicaid-eligible Adults in Expansion States Are At Risk of Losing Health Coverage Due to Insufficient or Inconsistent Work Hours
A new study found that nearly 20 percent of eligible adults in Medicaid expansion states are in danger of not meeting the minimum work hours that will be required nationwide beginning January 1. Women, unmarried people, White individuals, and those with limited education all had a higher risk of losing their health coverage due to noncompliance with these new requirements.
New Official Nintendo 64 Game Launches to Strong 4.9/5 Reviews
A new game officially releases on original Nintendo 64 hardware and also receives strong reviews from players.
Amazon launches first M6 Mac mini deals, grab prices from $879
Preorder deals are in effect on the just-announced M6 Mac mini at Amazon. Pick up the 2026 desktop for as low as $879.99.
Minnesota AG announces oversight deal allowing North Memorial-Sanford Health merger to advance
Terms of the agreement include $600 million in investments in North Memorial’s Maple Grove and Robbinsdale hospitals, and maintaining the Level 1 trauma center in Robbinsdale for at least 10 years.
Policies Are Needed to Support an Essential Health Workforce: Midwives
More than 2.3 million women of reproductive age live in maternity care deserts — counties with no hospitals offering obstetric care and no OB-GYN or certified nurse-midwife in practice.
Ozarks Sports Zone Digital Extra: See the Week 1 high school football slate
High school football is back! KY3’s Chad Plein and the Ozarks Sports Zone’s Chris Parker break down the Week 1 slate. Also, see district assignments for fall sports.
Auto review: 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X offers function over flash
There is an arms race underway in the automotive industry. Blackened chrome, LED strips, giant grilles, screens the size of suburban kitchen islands, illuminated logos, animated turn signals, ambient lighting
Rabid bat found in unincorporated St. Charles, state health officials confirm
KANE COUNTY, Ill. — Health officials in Kane County have confirmed that a bat located in unincorporated St. Charles last week has tested positive for rabies. According to county officials, the Illi…
‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ $1.7M Previews, ‘Dog Stars’ $850K As Canines Rule Thursday
Ketchup Entertainment’s dog rescue of Warner Bros’ Animation’s Coyote vs. Acme was solid in previews with $1.7M. That includes not only Thursday money, but also $446K in sneaks last weekend from U.S. ...
What Not to Expect at Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' September 9 Event
Apple's annual fall event takes place on Wednesday, September 9, when it is expected to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro models, the first foldable iPhone, an Apple Watch Series 12, a fourth-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and potentially AirPods 5. Apple may also make some additional new products available at its "Surprise and shine" event, but there are a handful of rumored upcoming devices that we don't expect to make an appearance this month.
North Carolina teen critically ill from rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater, officials say
A North Carolina teenager is critically ill from a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, that's found in warm freshwater, state health officials said.
Kirk Herbstreit makes 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship pick
The ESPN analyst also predicted a Heisman Trophy winner for the 2026 season.
FDA approves tirzepatide for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes
The popular drug, sold by Eli Lilly and Company under the brand name Mounjaro, has been at the center of many cardiology trials over the years. It is now the first dual GIP and GLP-1 hormone receptor agonist approved by the FDA for this indication.
Status of The Lions Bay Resources Barbrook Business Rescue Plan
Victoria, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - August 28, 2026) - On 25th August 2026, Vantage Goldfields released a press statement, wherein they claimed that the "Lions Bay Resources Proposed Transaction to Acquire the Barbrook Mine Has Failed" and further that "Confirmation provided by the South African Mining Regulator means that Lions Bay Resources, owned by Metals One Plc (AIM: MET1) (LSE: MET1) and Lions Bay Capital Inc. (TSXV: LBI), cannot obtain mining regulatory approval, so that the...
First Leak of Nvidia's DLSS 5 Apparently Makes Games Look and Run Worse
Mods using an early version of Nvidia’s AI-slop-ified visuals still ignores artistic intent and cuts performance in half.
Emerging leagues find winning formula in media deals and partnerships
Those deals allow new leagues to hit the ground running.
Emerging leagues find winning formula in media deals and partnerships
The live sports boom is boosting leagues beyond the Big Four, as upstarts sign major commercial partners, media rights deals and star athletes.
Eagles vs. Bengals preseason watching guide
Learn more about the Philadelphia-Cincinnati matchup on Friday night.
New Engineering Undergrad Degree Blends Multiple Areas
By Kim Horner | Materials science and engineering doctoral student Ben Dunn uses an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy system for surface chemistry characterization. UT Dallas expanded its offerings in materials science and engineering with a new bachelor’s degree this fall. The University of Texas at Dallas is introducing a new bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, […]
Apple's M6 Mac Mini Gets First Pre-Order Discounts at Amazon
Amazon today has introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini, with discounts including two of the M6 models as well as the M5 Pro model. All of these deals are pre-order discounts on the 2026 Mac mini, which officially launches on September 22. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
New York's business climate faces pressure under Mamdani tax proposals
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's business advisor Robert Wolf discusses the environment in New York City as Mamdani proposes a tax-the-wealthy plan. Wolf analyzes the impact of tax hikes on high-value real estate.
Oklahoma officials outline progress on Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives
The update comes as Oklahoma prepares to enter the second budget period of a five-year federal funding opportunity meant to transform rural health.
How To Build A Team So You Can Take A Break From Your Business
A practical guide to building a team you can genuinely trust to run your business, so stepping away stops feeling impossible and starts feeling like a system.
A game plan for when stress affects your oral health
In many ways, experiencing feelings of stress is a part of our everyday lives. Life in the military community often comes with its own unique stressors. While we often associate stress with mental and emotional well-being, stress also affects your entire body, including your oral health.
Vandalia Health expands free public access to naloxone at northern region hospitals
Vandalia Health is expanding access to life-saving overdose reversal medication by installing public naloxone distribution boxes at hospital entrances throughout its northern region. The first boxes are being installed at Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center in Morgantown, Vandalia Health Mon Marion Neighborhood Hospital in White Hall, Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood and Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston. Additional boxes are expected to be install...
Lee Health drops United Healthcare as in-network provider
Lee Health, the system that dominates Lee County in terms of hospitals and clinics, has abruptly announced that it is dropping United Healthcare as an in-network provider as of 2027.
The Witcher 3 Remastered Resolution And Frame Rate For Switch 2 Revealed
Mouse & gyro controls also confirmed
Health Rounds: Younger lung cancer patients more easily matched to targeted therapies
We also report on an analysis that confirms the importance of taking your blood pressure meds on schedule.
Va. officials announce disbursement of $122 million in Rural Health Transformation Fund awards
The money is meant to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies and strengthen the industry’s workforce in rural areas.
How batteries are reshaping the solar power business model
Also in today’s newsletter, are global emissions approaching a peak?
I replaced 13 apps with one Gemini feature; now my Android productivity is 10 times better
Handling chaotic tasks on my Android phone has never felt this good
Building Trust Through Business Relationships Amid Misinformation
Businesses can rebuild trust in an era of misinformation by prioritizing transparency, communication and stronger relationships.
So long to shorts? In Silicon Valley, tech workers are showing less leg
Men in the tech industry are covering up their legs, even as their counterparts in finance are increasingly open to showing them off.
Politics at Film Festivals: Venice Faces Russia, Israel Discourse
With politics having rattled the Berlin and Cannes film festivals, how will it play out in Venice?
2026 NFL preseason: How to watch the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles tonight, channel, where to stream and more
Here's how to watch the Bengals vs. Eagles game during the 2026 NFL preseason.
People are itching to create the Gen Z version of Friends. Here's five reasons it's impossible
The legacy of Friends can be seen in a new wave of US sitcoms about twenty-something pals hitting the small screen. But, unlike the classic show, they're struggling to make a mark.
Sandbox Brewhouse gets approval for late-night entertainment
Sandbox Brewhouse, a family owned brewery, can host entertainment until midnight, a few hours later than usual, the Frederick Zoning Board of Appeals ruled on Tuesday.
Businesses are getting tariff refunds. Why aren't consumers getting their cut?
A slew of American companies are getting billions of dollars back in tariff refunds after a Supreme Court ruling. Many consumers, though, may never get anything back.
What a fake poll reveals about worries around prediction markets and the midterms
While a stunt involving fake polls may not have been an effort to rig prediction markets, concerns are growing ahead of the midterms about other attempts to influence the betting sites.
Colorado’s hunting and fishing traditions rest on science, conservation and a proven heritage
By John Howard Eric Washburn’s recent column warns Coloradans the right to hunt and fish amendment is a Trojan horse designed to resurrect “cruel” practices voters have already banned and to elevate killing above every other form of wildlife management. The argument is passionate. It is also wrong on the text, the history, the experience […]
John Schneider Reacts After Bad Game From Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider reacted after first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had another tough day at the plate.The Blue Jays, who are fighting tooth and nail for the final American League Wild Card spot, lost in a blowout to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday by a final score of 13-2.It was an […] The post John Schneider Reacts After Bad Game From Vladimir Guerrero Jr. appeared first on HEAVY.
A Year After the L.A. ICE Surge, Latino Businesses Haven’t Recovered
A 2025 push to round up undocumented immigrants continues to disrupt local economies in Los Angeles County. Local officials are doing what they can to help.
Saul Williams opens a portal between politics and possibility
The unflinching multidisciplinary artist has long welcomed new challenges. With the release of a new album and a new book, he embraces the role his career has been building toward: investigative poet.
The US switch in shingles vaccines revealed an unexpected heart health pattern
In a natural experiment involving 72,920 propensity-matched US adults aged 60 years and older, recombinant shingles vaccination was associated with a 9% lower cardiovascular disease burden over seven years compared with the live attenuated vaccine. Lower burdens of ischemic heart disease and heart failure were seen in both sexes, while ischemic stroke was significantly lower only among men, supporting further clinical trials and mechanistic studies
AI Brings Scamming Against Businesses To A Whole New Level
AI supercharges existing scam categories like impersonation, phishing, and business email compromise, making them hyper-personalized and harder to detect.
Are people all wrong about what makes a movie successful?
Cinephiles debate whether tracking audiences or counting dollars reveals a film's true impact.
The Witcher 3 Remastered reveals first Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay
Following its announcement earlier this week, the first gameplay for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 has been revealed. Screenshots were previously shared a couple of days ago. Those images alone suggested that CD Projekt Red was churning out a pretty great port, but now we actually get to see it in action. It looks like...
It’s business as usual for Palmer Ridge as Bears face La Cueva in interstate matchup for Kickoff Classic
Friday night is a unique opportunity for Palmer Ridge football and three other schools, but it’s also business as usual. After a 35-14 victory at Pueblo East in Week Zero of the 2026-2027 season, the Bears’ “home opener” will be a bit different. Palmer Ridge hosts La Cueva out of New Mexico in the second […]
Atlanta Braves Manager Reveals Reason Behind Ronald Acuña Jr. Benching
The Atlanta Braves are looking to sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday afternoon. It’s a premier pitching matchup between Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ahead of the series finale with the Dodgers, the Braves revealed their lineup. It looks like this, per @UnderdogMLB: Braves 8/27 D. Baldwin CO. Albies 2BM. Olson 1BM. Dubón LFM. […] The post Atlanta Braves Manager Reveals Reason Behind Ronald Acuña Jr. Benching appeared first on HEAVY.
SanDisk launches 1TB microSD Express card for Switch 2
SanDisk has unveiled a new SD Express card at Gamescom. It allows Switch 2 owners to upgrade to 1TB of storage and is also compatible with several Asus gaming handhelds. However, the card is very expensive.
Iceberg lettuce cyclospora outbreak linked to more states, health officials warn
Parasitic illness cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce have now been confirmed in 20 states, federal health officials said Thursday.
Scientists tracked 4,500 animals and found a surprising human effect
Scientists tracking thousands of animals found that our physical presence can reshape where wildlife moves and lives, sometimes as strongly as roads, cities, and other human development. Because different species reacted in very different ways, conservation efforts may need to become much more targeted.
Shapiro, RFK Jr. clash after Pennsylvania health officials report 2 measles-related deaths
CT sues Kalshi over unlicensed sports betting
State Attorney General William Tong said what the app does constitutes gambling — making it subject to Connecticut consumer protection laws.
Bickley: How Arizona sports find their way out of the yuck
Arizona's sports landscape is in need of some big jolts amid all the bad luck that's hovered around the Valley's franchises in recent memory.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ finally looks like the future
A first look at "GTA VI" gameplay finally looked like a leap in technology, visuals and storytelling.
Trump Administration Will Appeal Harvard Antisemitism Case
A federal judge earlier ruled against Trump officials in a lawsuit accusing the university of allowing persistent antisemitism on campus.