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Democratic socialist candidates stirred the primary election pot. But can they win in November?
An MSU Denver political expert discusses what’s behind their emergence, what they stand for and whether they can achieve lasting impact.
Is Davion Mitchell the Miami Heat's Biggest X-Factor?
Gabe Vincent highlights Davion Mitchell’s offensive impact, but Pelle Larsson could prove even more vital to the Miami Heat's championship aspirations.
Survey: Will Michigan cover the spread vs Oklahoma?
Will Michigan cover the spread against Oklahoma? Vote in this edition of SB Nation Reacts.
Fact-checking Trump's stories about his own 9/11 response
President Donald Trump recounted his response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in an interview and event leading up to the 25th anniversary this week, repeating statements that lack evidence about aiding in the recovery.
Senate Set to Vote to Begin Debate on Protect College Sports Act
Background The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (PCSA), introduced in the Senate on June 2, 2026, by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and joined by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), represents a comprehensive federal legislative effort to reshape the governance and economics of intercollegiate athletics, including redistributing the significant media revenues generated by college sports. Reported favorably 19-9 from the Senate Commerce Committee and placed on Senate Calendar No. 449 on June 24, 2026, the PCSA was substantially revised on August 7, 2026 (Senate Amendment 6768). The PCSA arrives against a backdrop of cascading judicial decisions that have systematically dismantled the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) authority to regulate the economics of college sports.
Fairfax Family Practice Centers selects new CEO
Fairfax County-based Fairfax Family Practice Centers has a new full-time CEO, with Frank Mencini beginning the role last week.
The Business of Building a Medical Practice
In this episode of Entrepreneurial Shades of Gray, Dani sits down with Dr. William Boyd, who has spent more than 30 years building and running his own practices.
Beloved Hershey Christmas attraction won’t be returning this year
However, several new attractions will be included in the Christmas Candylane season at Hersheypark.
Cavaliers Officially Re-Sign James Harden on $97 Million Contract
The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed James Harden to a multi-year contract.
Gymnastics, fitness and range of motion: See 4 health-focused business updates in Spring-Klein
There are several health-focused businesses that recently opened or plan to open in the Spring area.
Nebraska Stat Tracker vs Ohio, Week 1
Nebraska 49, Ohio 21 — and the offense is a long way ahead of the defense Welcome to the first statistical breakdown of the 2026 Nebraska football season. I said back in the summer that I’d track a set of numbers all year to see how this team is actually doing, and this is the […]
Celo to Participate in Merkle Science Meet in Washington, D.C. on September 8th
Celo will participate in Merkle Science Meet in Washington, D.C. on September 8th at 18:00 UTC. Markus will join a panel on the GENIUS Act and the future of U.S. stablecoin regulation.Refer to the official tweet by CELO:Kicking off @thestablecon week today, @MarkusMento speaks at @MerkleScience Mee…
Realistic Detroit Pistons Expectations For 2026-27 Season
The Detroit Pistons made a lot of changes during the offseason, but how will that impact their quest to retain the top seed in the Eastern Conference?
Philz Coffee workers in California file to form union to negotiate new contract
The notice was delivered Tuesday
Dripping Springs business owners advocate for wayfinding signs
New wayfinding signs and gateway monuments may soon be installed along Hwy. 290 following a 3-2 vote by the Dripping Springs City Council at a Sep. 1 meeting.
US House bill requires criminal background checks on Hollywood sets
A House bill would require criminal background checks for Hollywood set workers who supervise or regularly interact with minors.
Target, tacos and other Liberty-Hill area business trends to know this September
Several new businesses, including Target and a Mexican restaurant, are coming to Liberty Hill.
Patriots-Seahawks Betting Report: Books Need Super Bowl Middle In Opener
A rematch of SBLX will kick off the NFL season. Patrick Everson breaks down the betting action ahead SEA-NE, with books needing a specific result.
Supporting small business across North Dakota
ND SBDC State Director Tiffany Ford joins ‘North Dakota Today’ to discuss the organization’s statewide impact
Actor Says Theatre Fired Him from “Bright Star” Over His Adult Entertainment Past
An actor says he was fired from an upcoming production of Bright Star just before rehearsals began after the theatre learned about his past work in adult entertainment.
Nick Offerman Responds to Ben Shapiro’s Homophobic ‘Last of Us’ Digs
The actor hadn’t watched the conservative host’s temper tantrum over his Last of Us episode until now.
At rally to save Academy of Natural Sciences museum, protesters urge Drexel to 'act like it's an emergency'
Local lawmakers and scientists outlined several options to preserve the museum, which is due to close Sept. 30.
Exclusive: Two of gaming’s biggest names are making a big investment in gaming’s future
The first thing to know about the Nova Games Foundation is that it isn’t about The Game Awards. And it’s not about PlayStation. The ambitious new grant program is the brainchild of Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny. Keighley is the host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest and Opening Night Live. Cerny is a game designer of some 45 years and the lead architect for the PlayStation 4 and 5. But this new thing, which they’re revealing through Game File, isn’t about their day jobs. It’s an unaffiliated, standalone philanthropic project. It’s a bet on the artistic future of video games and a way, they tell me, to give back. “I’m nearing the end of my career,” Cerny recently told me over email. “I’m not done yet, but paying it forward—in the best way possible—is very much on my mind these days,” The Nova Games Foundation is a university-affiliated fellowship program, intended to offer six-figure grants to 20 young game designers each year, potentially for decades to come. It will offer no-strings-attached funding along with mentorship from games industry leaders, a combination intended to aid the development of groundbreaking new games, Cerny and Keighley told me. Nova will begin accepting applications in December, from class of 2026 and 2027 students from 13 affiliated gaming programs at universities in eight countries. The schools working with Nova include the New York University and the University of Southern California in the U.S., along with Abertay University in Scotland, Cnam-Enjmin in France, TH Köln in Germany, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, Cerny and Keighley said. The plan: $100,000 per recipient, with about a quarter of Nova fellows eligible for up to $500,000 more for projects that are shaping up particularly well. Payments will be delivered based on development milestones, and recipients will own their games. Nova will help promote the work, and developers will be free to pursue the publishers and platforms of their choice. Nova can help introduce fellows to publishers, but won’t take a cut. “I’ve always wanted to give back, but given my role in the industry, I’ve never felt it appropriate to commercially invest in games,” Keighley told Game File. “I’ve never owned stock in a game company or taken a financial stake in a game. Nova is philanthropy: we aren’t taking equity or looking to recoup the grants. The return we’re hoping for is creative—helping new voices make games and find their footing. “Mark and I have each made multi-million-dollar donations to establish the foundation, and we intend to keep contributing. We hope others will join us.” Cerny and Keighley have already hired an executive director, John Maconga, and a head of grants, recent Game Developers Conference director Ashley Corrigan, to help launch the effort. They’re working to recruit game industry leaders to join the effort. Keighley says “dozens of leading game directors have already expressed interest in contributing their time.” To name one, they’ve already gotten Josef Fares, lead designer from It Takes Two and Spit Fiction studio Hazelight on board with a donation and pledge to help out. “I’m proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life,” Fares told Game File. A plan forged from a friendship Keighley and Cerny have known each other a long time. It’s been so long, Cerny isn’t even sure exactly when they met. “We travel in much the same circles and I’m sure first intersected in the 90s or early 2000s,“ Cerny said. Keighley thinks it might have been during his stint writing a column about the mid-’90s console 3DO for a gaming magazine while Cerny was working on games with Crystal Dynamics or on Way of the Warrior with Naughty Dog. They became genuine friends about a 10 years ago, Keighley said, as they bonded over a shared love of games and a hope to improve the industry. “About a decade ago, we started having dinner a few times a year in LA,” Keighley said. “Just to catch up on life and the industry. Those conversations continued over Zoom during COVID. Nova grew out of that friendship and a question we kept coming back to: ‘What could we do to help the next generation of game directors get started?’” Keighley credits Cerny with the idea to figure out a way to put their money and time back into the industry. At one of those dinners, Keighley proposed the idea of a fellowship program. He’d recalled applying for a Rhodes Scholarship when he was younger. “Spoiler: I didn’t get it,” he said. He’d admired the MacArthur Foundation’s so-called “genius grants.” He liked these kinds of programs that recognized people’s talents and gave them the financial boost and the freedom to realize their potential. With Cerny, he had pondered what a game industry version of that could be. Keighley liked the idea of centering the fellowship on students, drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Jenova Chen, the USC game design graduate who went on to lead the creation of gently moving, ambitious games such as Flower and Journey. Keighley also thought it could be useful to help promising graduates bridge the transition from student to professional. “Joining an established studio isn’t always possible—especially in today’s market—and even then, it isn’t the right path for everyone,” Keighley said. A fellowship, he realized, could give “graduates the time, resources and guidance to pursue a game of their own and not worry about the commercial viability.” As the idea took shape, Cerny also saw an opportunity to enable more games of a certain type: “The target with the grants is games as an artistic medium,” Cerny told me. “We like to say games with ‘artistic, literary and societal value.’” He added: “I’m a pretty big gamer myself, though I tend to gravitate towards the smaller and more unique or artistic titles, games like Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray or Outer Wilds. I was just playing and Roger on a flight to Japan, and was getting misty eyed to a degree that I was concerned that a flight attendant would ask me if I was OK. “So one fun benefit here is the games that will come out of the Nova Games Foundation – I can’t wait to play them myself.” Cerny believes it will also be useful for Nova fellows to hone their craft and team leadership skills. “We are looking for the next generation of visionaries,” he said. “The trick is that they will also need to have the executive function necessary to drive a small project to completion.” Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Going big with this Keighley and Cerny may have started Nova and may be the ones primarily backing it right now, but they’re dreaming of something that goes beyond them. “Mark and I may have helped get it started, but one of our measures of success is that Nova grows into something the entire games industry feels a sense of ownership in,” Keighley said. “Our ambition is to build a lasting endowment supported by people and companies across the industry, and an equally broad community of creators willing to give their time and experience to the next generation.” The industry has a lot of knowledge that it can pass to the next generation, Keighley said: “Nova can hopefully become a way to connect that generosity with talented young creators at the moment when it can make the biggest difference.” Cerny, who told me he believes Nova can mature “over the next 10 or 20 years,” sees an opportunity to give generations of game makers momentum. “The industry has changed immeasurably since I started in games in 1982,” he said. “These graduates have talent, training and tools that outclass what we had back in the day by an astonishing amount. But they face a tough road ahead getting traction in the industry, and many could benefit from our support. We want to be there to give it to them.” “There’s a personal side to this, too,” Keighley said. “I don’t have children, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I can do for future generations. Games have been my entire career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and helping someone else build a life in this industry feels like a meaningful way to give back.” Cerny’s oeuvre dates back to Marble Madness and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He has stood on stage multiple times to reveal the future of PlayStation hardware. He’s been an executive producer for a string of modern PlayStation classics such as The Last Guardian and Marvel’s Spider-Man. Nevertheless, of Nova, he said, “It’s certainly not like anything I’ve done before.” Nova Foundation applications will be due in December and the first wave of fellows will be announced in March 2027. A full list of participating universities and steps students and recent graduates can take to apply to become a Nova Fellow is forthcoming.
Northrop Grumman lands defense contracts worth $1.37B
Falls Church-based defense supplier Northrop Grumman landed two major military contracts collectively worth $1.37 billion.
B2B Marketing Leaders Struggle to Prove Business Impact: 10Fold
10Fold research finds B2B leaders measure more than ever but struggle to connect metrics to revenue. See the communications ROI reset.
Superior Health Foundation awards $271K to 11 UP health initiatives
Among the recipients are the U.P. Health Impact Grant to Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center’s Sawyer Dental Project, four additional U.P. Health Impact Grants and six Equipment Grants addressing behavioral health/SUD, healthy food and wellness, maternal/infant health, accessibility, EMS/first aid and hospice.
Study finds social, financial, and healthcare factors shape resilience in adults with sickle cell disease
A new study explores how individual and community health experiences of adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) shape resilience — the capacity to adapt to adversity.
Sega's President Says There's Been an Increase in Fans Who Don't Play Its Games, But That Doesn't Mean They Aren't Gamers
Sega president and COO Shuji Utsumi says the company has experienced an uptick in fans who don’t actually play the games it develops and publishes.
Julia Stiles and her “DWTS” partner Ezra Sosa react to Juilliard’s ‘shady’ post referencing her “Save the Last Dance” character
The prestigious performing arts conservatory played a major role in the 2001 dance movie.
Camillus Police shut down Greenhouse Convenience of CNY cannabis business
A Camillus cannabis business was shuttered after illegal activity, the Camillus Police Department said.
Mamdani to release documents related to 9/11 health impacts
Mamdani to release documents related to 9/11 health impacts
Scientists Discover Bacteria That Can Make Testosterone Near the Prostate, With Potential Implications for Cancer
A newly discovered bacterial pathway turns a common steroid precursor into testosterone.
Microsoft September 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 966 flaws, 2 zero-days
Today is Microsoft's September 2026 Patch Tuesday, with security updates released for a record-breaking 966 flaws, including two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
Andy Serkis’ ‘Nevatars’ Brings a New Kind of Storytelling to Venice Immersive
Andy Serkis' Nevatars brings interactive XR storytelling, alongside ambitious projects featuring Margot Robbie, Omar Sy and Mark Ruffalo.
Jimmy Rolder returns as Lions boast good health ahead of opener
The Detroit Lions roster is fully healthy for practice as key players return ahead of the season opener against Saints.
More evidence that mass shootings are suicidal acts
New research finds national peaks for suicides, gun rampages take place within days of each other in summer.
Scientists Are Still Trying To Understand How the Moon Formed
The Earth and the Moon have nearly identical isotopic compositions, and the Giant Impact Hypothesis strives to explain this. New research into the ancient impact shows how the temperature of both worlds, and how it affects the strength of the materials involved in the collision, shaped the outcome, including the isotopic compositions.
OM System PEN Camera Pre-Order Available at Amazon US
The upcoming OM System PEN camera is now available for preorder at Amazon US here. OM SYSTEM PEN preorders Product Description OM SYSTEM PEN is a compact interchangeable-lens camera for travel and everyday photography, designed for people who want high image quality and creative flexibility without carrying a bulky kit. At just 393g, its easy-to-carry…
Health: The Fight For The Health Of 9/11 First Responders
A quarter century after 9/11, the health of those who responded to the attacks continues to be affected.Some 3,000 people died across three locations that day. An estimated 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants and risked physical injury in the hours and days that followed. That’s according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Since the dust and debris have settled, more than 96,000 have been diagnosed with physical and mental health conditions related to 9/11.In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, establishing the World Trade Center Health Program and reopening the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Today, more than 150,000 people are enrolled in the program.But that program wouldn’t exist without the advocacy of survivors and first responders who put their bodies and lives on the line following the attacks. How did that fight for care unfold?For more information about the Rutgers WTC Health Program, click here. And to learn more about applying, click here.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Mississippi teen overcomes health challenges to harvest 12-foot alligator
Teen credits hunting for keeping her active through rare illnesses
Vikings Re-Sign Edge Rusher Kenny Dyson To Practice Squad
Dyson is back with in Minnesota as the team was clearly impressed with his skillset.
SKY BLUE CINEMATIX - ENTERTAINMENT - BRAND INTEGRATION : Two Films. One Global Partnership.
Sky Blue Cinematix appointed exclusive worldwide brand-integration partner for two new features from Tested Films.London, UK, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sky Blue Cinematix, the entertainment and brand-integration division of Sky Blue Media Group, today announced its appointment as the exclusive global brand-integration partner for two upcoming feature films from Tested Films: the action thriller Habeas Corpus and the neo-noir romantic mystery Blurred. Sky Blue Cinematix appointed exclusi
Sanford Health Patient Advances Suit Over Meta Data Disclosures
Sanford Health Corp. failed to convince a federal judge to toss a proposed class action alleging the Minnesota-based health system collected and disclosed patients’ personal information in violation of state and federal laws.
Atlético v Sobradinho: Crias do Galo are in action today!
Atlético vs. Sobradinho – September 8 (Tuesday) – 3:00 PM🏆 Tournament: 1st round (single match) – Copa do Brasil🏟️ Venue: Arena MRV📺 Broadcast: GaloTV H2bet🗺️ Match Guide: Atlé...
AI Factories Turn Infrastructure Into a Business Advantage
AI factories are an industry must as enterprises move from experimentation to scaled agentic workloads, says Penguin Solutions’ Aaron Johnson.
Dan Campbell Reveals Detroit Lions Guard Plan for Week 1
Dan Campbell is keeping Detroit's left guard competition alive entering Week 1. Christian Mahogany and Ben Bartch will split first-team practice reps, and both could see action against New Orleans.
Meta Removes Iran-Linked Network That Faked American Personas to Sway US Political Debate
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) welcomes Meta’s recent removal of an Iranian regime-linked network that disguised its origins while seeking to influence American political discourse. Meta disclosed the takedown on Aug. 27 in its H2 2026 Adversarial Threat Report. The network consisted of four Facebook accounts and 31 Instagram accounts linked to actors based in […]
US targets Iran’s airline industry as part of pressure campaign
The Trump administration took sweeping actions against Iran’s airline industry on Tuesday as part of its pressure campaign on Tehran.
My National Championship Contenders After Week 1
It’s only Week 1. I’m not eliminating anybody from the College Football Playoff conversation yet, but after finally getting to watch these teams play, nine programs stand above the rest as my national championship contenders. This isn’t a ranking. There is no particular order. Ohio State Ohio State looked exactly like the No. 1 team…
How 9/11 Shaped Public Health Preparedness
Hear from Meredith Allen, vice president of Health Security, as she reflects on the tragic event of 9/11, response efforts, and the impact on public health preparedness.
Peter Krause reflects on his decades-spanning television career: ‘I like to work’
From ‘Sports Night’ to ‘Six Feet Under’ to ‘9-1-1,’ Peter Krause has been busy for the past ... several decades. The veteran actor talk to EW ahead of his new show, ‘Line of Fire.’
'Practical Magic 2' review: Sequel honors the original by being a similarly dopey mess
The original "Practical Magic" wasn't a great film — but its fans might appreciate this similarly muddled sequel more than our film critic did.
Apple to Introduce All-New 'Readiness' App Tomorrow
Apple plans to announce an all-new "Readiness" app during its "Surprise and Shine" event this Wednesday, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a social media post today, Gurman said the "Readiness" app will be a "variant" of the existing Vitals app on the Apple Watch. "The idea is to better compete with software from Whoop and Oura," he said.
Celebrating 19 Years of Impact from One Iconic Desk
For nearly two decades, Administrative Assistant Carolina Rodriguez has been one of the first faces people see and one they remember at South Texas College’s (STC) Mid-Valley Campus. Long before titles or job descriptions, she became something harder to define but easy to feel: a constant presence, a listening ear and the heart of the campus.
Two Factors Dictating Orlando Magic's Success
The Orlando Magic have to do a lot right to reach their desired heights next season.
Scotland defender Souttar may leave Rangers soon
John Souttar may yet leave Rangers in the short term, even though the transfer window has closed in Scotland. The Scotland defender, 29, is under contract until next summer. "I think he still can [make a contribution]," said Rangers manager Derek McInnes.
Proposed Changes to Head Start Undermine Its Role in Promoting Child Nutrition and Healthy Eating - Food Research & Action Center
Published September 8, 2026 For more than 60 years, Head Start has supported young children during their most important phase of growth and development. For families with limited resources, Head Start is a trusted source of care, education, nutritious meals, and health services. Despite Head Start’s long history of bipartisan support, and demonstrated success, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a proposed new […]
NFL Announces Halftime Act for Detroit Lions Munich Game
The NFL has announced Cage The Elephant as the halftime headliner for the Detroit Lions’ Nov. 15 game against the New England Patriots in Munich.
Jason Priestley recalls ‘flatlining’ in helicopter after 2002 near-death experience: ‘I bled to death’
The “Beverly Hills, 90210” actor crashed a car going nearly 180 mph while practicing for a race.
Scientists call for joint efforts to preserve nomadic heritage
At the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Cultural Heritage of the World’s Nomadic Peoples: Preservation, Study, and Development”, scholars and experts from 23 countries urged unified action to safeguard the cultural diversity of nomadic peoples and ensure traditions remain alive for future generations, Qazinform News Agency cites Kabar.
See Mark Harmon's return as Gibbs in 'NCIS: Origins' trailer
Mark Harmon is back in action as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
'Practical Magic 2' brings back the magic and the mess
The Owens sisters are as bewitching as ever – multiple generations of them, in fact – in “Practical Magic 2,” even if the sequel might only truly cast a spell
Foster Swift Welcome Hahn and Serra, Strengthens Business Law and General Counsel Services in Southeast Michigan
Attorney Marcy Hahn Attorney Lisa Serra SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Marcy Hahn and Lisa M. Serra have joined the firm's Southfield office, further strengthening its business law, corporate counseling, and general counsel capabilities throughout Southeast Michigan. Marcy and Lisa bring a unique blend of practices including fractional general counsel to business owners along with family law representat
Essex County Health Department confirms measles case, says it's been "controlled and contained"
Health officials in Essex County, New York, have confirmed that one unvaccinated person contracted measles earlier this summer. They said there is no ongoing public health risk.
The Business of Building a Medical Practice
We don’t always think about doctors as entrepreneurs, but running a private practice means running a business.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center nurses host community forum on maternal health care cuts, the future of health care in DC
Union registered nurses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. will hold a community forum on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, to discuss the closure of postpartum unit 5F at Washington Hospital Center, the devastating impact of Medicaid cuts in DC, and building a health care system that works for us all.
Nevada SBDC bringing hands-on AI training to Reno small businesses
Reno entrepreneurs will get a chance to explore practical ways artificial intelligence can help their businesses.
Yankees Ticket Prices Rise as Judge Returns
One of MLB’s top fan attractions is returning to action.
Penn State Dairy Barns Made Animal Science Student ‘Feel at Home'
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three years of working in Penn State’s Dairy Barns have been impactful for Hannah Mansfield, a spring 2026 College of Agricultural Sciences graduate who is...
Lone Star Ball Reacts Results
If the Rangers don’t make the World Series, Rangers fans have a couple of clear preferences as to who should
Simon Edvinsson Makes Decision With Red Wings Contract Unresolved
Simon Edvinsson plans to attend Red Wings training camp without a new contract as Detroit's ongoing GM search continues to delay negotiations.
Are Irving, LaVine, Holiday realistic for Heat? And surprising Richards info
The Heat’s challenges in landing one more impactful player. And some notable data on new backup center Nick Richards.
Best Bets: A quick guide to La Jolla entertainment and experiences
Local events and activities
David Oyelowo is the first Black Long John Silver in exclusive ‘Treasure Island’ first look
David Oyelowo was excited to be the first Black actor to play Long John Silver in an adaptation of ‘Treasure Island’: ‘You almost never see that on screen.’
Jalen Duren contract talks take a positive turn
Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain without a deal, but new reporting suggests the contract gap may be narrowing.
UnitedHealth’s Democrat investment, and surprise billing bloat debate
UnitedHealth execs shower a top Democrats with cash, and the No Surprises Act debate heats up.
Norman Gelman, Longtime Montgomery County Political Activist, Dies at 97
Norman Ira Gelman, a longtime Montgomery County political activist, policy analyst, writer and Jewish community leader who spent decades involved in public affairs in the Washington area, died July 20.
AZ's R&D chief Barr touts internal 'science success story' after IL-33 antibody's stellar showing in COPD
With a detailed data drop that AstraZeneca’s R&D chief described as an internal “science success story,” the British Big Pharma has secured an FDA priority review for what it believes could become a flagship biologic in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In detailed results from the late-stage Oberon and Titania trials—first teased in March and detailed in full at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona this week—the drugmaker laid out the extent of its IL-33 inhibitor’s potential to reduce moderate and severe exacerbations in a wide range of COPD patients still struggling with those “lung attacks,” as AstraZeneca’s Sharon Barr, Ph.D., called them, despite using standard-care inhaled therapy. In the headline results, a 300 mg dose of tozorakimab given once every four weeks curbed those moderate and severe exacerbations in the studies’ primary population of former smokers by 29% in the Oberon study and 34% in Titania. In the overall population of both current and former smokers, these reductions were 30% and 29%, respectively, versus placebo and inhaled standard of care. The benefits also extended to clinically meaningful exacerbation reductions in all prespecified patient subgroups and specifically turned up promising signals in patients across a range of blood eosinophil counts, with Barr telling Fierce that “it’s the details that make this even more exciting than the high-level results that we’ve already shared.” In fact, during AZ’s tozorakimab poster presentation at the ERS 2026 Congress this past weekend, attendees were so enamored by the data that event organizers had to encourage people to clear the room and look at the other presentations on offer, Barr said in an interview. “I think it really speaks to the fact that there is a lot of buzz around these data because the entire respiratory community has been so desperate for new therapies for these patients,” she explained. The respiratory disease continues to represent a “staggering unmet medical need,” Barr said, highlighting the COPD exacerbations that the Oberon and Titania studies homed in on, which she added carry a greater mortality risk than a heart attack. “When a patient has a severe exacerbation, only about half of them are still alive within three and a half years,” she pointed out. As for tozorakimab specifically, Barr christened the molecule “an AstraZeneca science success story,” harkening several years back to the point at which researchers began to explore IL-33 as a driver of respiratory disease, and COPD in particular. At the same time, “there was still so much that wasn’t understood,” she admitted, highlighting the insight that IL-33 signals through both ST2 and EGFR through the RAGE pathway, a discovery Barr attributed to AstraZeneca's own scientists. Understanding the need to tackle both pathways in COPD—and aware of competitor candidates in the hopper, including one that bound ST2—the company ultimately had to make some “courageous decisions,” Barr said. These included taking a prior COPD molecule offline and going back to the drawing board to reinvent its potential IL-33 label “to make sure that we had a molecule that could block signaling through both arms of the pathway, through both the reduced form and the oxidized form, knowing that we wouldn’t be first, but striving to be best.” “When we put [tozorakimab] into the clinic, we firmly believed that we had a differentiated molecule, and we saw the other molecules blocking just ST2 or partially blocking IL-33, unable to deliver two positive pivotal studies in COPD,” Barr explained. “We kept marching forward because we believed our molecule was differentiated, and now I think we have the clinical validation that supports that.” Ultimately, AstraZeneca finds itself on much better footing these days when it comes to potential biologic rivals to tozorakimab in COPD. Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent, for instance, is approved to treat COPD exacerbations in patients with high eosinophil counts, but not low ones. Meanwhile, the future has become cloudier for other next-gen IL-33 candidates from Sanofi and Regeneron, as well as Roche, which have suffered trial flops in recent years. One other potential ingredient for AstraZeneca’s success in its duo of studies was that the company was “ambitious in the trial design, willing to look at an all-comers population,” Barr said, “and willing to enroll the most severe patients.” Prior studies for would-be biologics rivals in COPD “avoided enrolling” those patients, she pointed out. She also highlighted the Big Pharma’s painstaking design of exacerbations in its trial, which “gave us a very rigorous readout,” and pointed to “the extra effort and investment” the company put in to understand the effect of mucus plugs in patients. Barr described mucus production as a “key feature in disease diversity,” noting that mucus plugs—obstructing clumps of mucus that block patients’ airways—are associated with worse outcomes in COPD. In its data announcement, AstraZeneca noted that an integrated analysis of Oberon and Titania found tozorakimab “demonstrated a reduction in patients’ mucus plug score,” with the pharma claiming its biologic is the first to deliver such results in a broad COPD population. “So being able to reduce those mucus plugs, we expect, is an important part of driving benefit for patients who are living with COPD,” Barr said. Again touching on the breadth of the study populations, Barr added that tozorakimab “worked across all eosinophil levels in both current and former smokers across all levels of lung function,” which she suggested “really simplifies decision-making for clinicians, and it allows them to offer therapy to the broadest possible patient population.” In the highest patient eosinophil count group, tozorakimab helped chart a 43% reduction in exacerbation risk, which Barr stressed were “unprecedented data.” In the mid-level group, AZ’s drug delivered a 23% reduction and, in the lowest group, a 34% reduction in eosinophils, which Barr said suggests efficacy “in all patient subgroups.” As for AZ’s recent guidance upgrade on the medicine’s sales opportunity, the lift from a $3 billion to $5 billion range to $5 billion plus was informed by multiple factors, Barr said, including the fact that “in 2024, there were multiple competitors, and there aren’t anymore.” Additionally, “we know that this is a massive unmet medical need, and this is a really incredible set of data that we think will be very convincing to the clinical community,” Barr said. Looking ahead to a potential evolution of the COPD treatment landscape, Barr noted that most patients start treatment in the community with an option like a triple therapy, and for them, having an option like AstraZeneca’s inhaler Breztri will remain a “really important part” of that journey. But of the patients uncontrolled on triple therapy, which Barr described as “about half of them today,” just a “small fraction” are currently eligible for biologic therapy, which she emphasized AstraZeneca is working to change. Understanding that COPD is not a “one-size-fits-all” disease, AstraZeneca is also looking at its antibody drug Tezspire for patients with T2-driven disease, and the company continues to think about new mechanisms for tackling COPD through both systemic and inhaled drugs, Barr said.
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Trump’s Bombardier threat puts aerospace supply chain at risk
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NASA Sea Level Science Makes Waves on World Ocean Day
Explore This SectionScienceScience Activation1,000 Museum Visitors Dive… OverviewResourcesOpportunitiesCitizen ScienceHighlightsAbout Science
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Technology Science Corporation and Integration Technologies Group Awarded NASA SEWP VI Contract in Category C
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Technology Science Corporation and Integration Technologies Group Awarded NASA SEWP VI Contract in Category C
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The New York Times
Seven of Ukraine’s top 10 military contractors won new business despite open criminal investigations for fraud, failures to deliver on earlier deals or the arrest of chief executives for corruption,...
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I judged people with house cleaners. Hiring one changed my life.
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