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Apple Pencil for iPhone Ultra Was Tested
Apple has internally prototyped, tested, and considered launching an Apple Pencil for the upcoming foldable iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, he said it is unlikely that the accessory will be released. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the Apple Pencil tested for the foldable iPhone is stubbier than the versions for iPads. He said the Apple Pencil for the foldable iPhone was designed to magnetically attach and charge on the side of the device.
Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices
Hey all, Jason here. When this hits your inbox, I should be en route to the airport — not to go anywhere myself, just to pick up my better half. I must admit, it’s been strange to be home alone (well, with two dogs) for two weeks! Really lets me “optimize” to spending more time on reading/writing/working, whether that’s healthy or not! Looking forward to getting back into a (somewhat) more balance routine. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading Compare Notes With the People Who Built Modern Fintech Partner content: Remitly CEO Sebastian Gunningham. Increase founder Darragh Buckley. Linda Du, Co-founder & President at Valon. They’ll unpack the decisions behind building and scaling major financial products: what they got right, what broke, what they would do differently, and how AI and new infrastructure are changing the operator playbook. Most events tell you where fintech is going. NerdCon puts the people who built the present in the room and asks them what comes next. Expect an operator-led conversation grounded in real products, real trade-offs and lessons earned the hard way. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% on Regular tickets with code FBW20 before standard pricing ends September 11. Meet the Builders Things To Know & Other Good Reads Advent and Stripe Abandon $50 Billion Pursuit of PayPal (Bloomberg) Trump Family’s New Crypto Bank Is Backed by Abu Dhabi Sheikh (Wall Street Journal) The multiplying risks of financing data centres (FT) Let the Bond Market Speak (Wall Street Journal) Did we waste a crisis? Modest proposals to reform deposit insurance. (Fintech Takes Banking) Untangling Guggenheim: How Private Credit Built Its Own Universe (Net Interest) The Hater’s Guide To Circular Financing — Part One (Ed Zitron) Fiat Ventures Rebrands to FGV Capital, Announces $35M Oversubscribed Fund II (BusinessWire) Socure Announces Strategic Growth Investment at $5.2B Valuation and Acquires Agentic Operations Platform Fravity (Socure) Listen: When Consumer Protection Disclosures Work Too Well (Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast) Colorado Sues EarnIn For “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive and Unscrupulous” Business Practices When Andreessen Horowitz led EarnIn’s $39 million Series B in 2017, Alex Rampell, a partner at the storied venture capital firm, described EarnIn’s small-dollar advance product as “free,” relying on “entirely on voluntary contributions instead of fees.” Rampell favorably compared EarnIn’s approach to typical payday loans, writing, “Payday loans historically have had the potential to be a slippery slope for consumers into financial distress: opaque systems and steep fees that are hard to repay and set individuals back further than where they started. For many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, that kind of slide into debt can be extremely difficult to recover from.” But EarnIn’s product — which, the company says, isn’t a “loan,” legally speaking — ends up being anything but free for most users. While it is technically possible to take a no-fee advance from the company, most users incur “Lightning Speed” (instant funding) fees and/or ostensibly optional tips that combined can equate to annualized percent rates that can reach over 1,000%. With an average term of 9.77 days, even fees and tips that are small on an absolute dollar basis are equivalent to high APRs on an annualized basis. A lawsuit filed last week by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser against EarnIn describes the company and its product and business practices quite differently than Andreessen’s Rampell; “EarnIn’s business practices are unfair because they are immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous,” the complaint, filed in District Court in Denver, Colorado, says. EarnIn’s marquee product, Cash Out, isn’t a loan, the company says, as Cash Out is not “[f]orward [l]ooking” because “[t]he money is transferred based on earnings to date,” does not carry a mandatory fee to access funds, and is “non-recourse,” meaning EarnIn cannot pursue recovery from users who don’t repay advanced funds. EarnIn is sometimes referred to as an “Earned Wage Advance” service. Though, unlike some others in the broader category, EarnIn does not integrate with employers’ payroll or time and attendance systems. Rather, EarnIn attempts to verify a user’s income and employment, by examining direct deposit transaction data in their linked external bank account, by using GPS location and Bluetooth data to estimate a user’s time spent at work, if they work in a fixed location, and/or by having a user provided a work email address. While repayment is theoretically optional, as EarnIn would have no recourse, such as reporting non-payment to the credit bureaus or a collections agency, this is anything but clear to users of the EarnIn app, Colorado’s complaint argues. During the process of taking a Cash Out, users must agree to a preauthorized debit of the amount advanced, plus any expedited funding fee and/or tips. Though users technically can revoke this ACH authorization, the fact that they have this right isn’t presented to users during the Cash Out process, but rather is included in linked terms and conditions few users are likely to actually read. And users who do wish to revoke their ACH authorization must do so three or more days before the scheduled transaction date by emailing EarnIn’s customer support. Similarly, EarnIn’s marketing claims that it carries “no interest” and “no mandatory fees” is technically true, but is not the reality for many of the app’s users, the Colorado complaint argues. Further, EarnIn has extensively marketed to users the ability to “access your pay today,” to get “instant” funds, and to get funds “the same day you work” — when, in reality, this speed of access was only possible by paying the additional, undisclosed Lightning Speed fee. The Colorado complaint highlights this contradiction specifically, noting: EarnIn tells consumers that they can ‘Make any day payday with EarnIn’ and that there no ‘hidden’ or ‘mandatory fees.’ For a consumer to access their pay on the same day requested, they would have to pay the Lightning Speed fee. In the fine print of the advertisement EarnIn discloses that ‘[f]ees apply to use Lightning Speed,’ a direct contradiction to the larger text of the advertisement, and a fact that would not be immediately understood by a consumer as ‘Lightning Speed’ is not defined nor explained. Like other small-dollar lending services, rather than explicitly charge interest, EarnIn collects a markup on the optional Lighting Speed fee, which, given the nature of the transactions, many users opt for, as well as offering users the option to leave “tips.” EarnIn leverages either Real-Time Payments (RTP) rails or push-to-card via debit rails if a user opts for the optional Lightning Speed. But while these capabilities cost EarnIn, on average, $0.075 or $0.20 per transaction, respectively, EarnIn charges users significantly more. Initially, EarnIn charged as little as $1.99 for Cash Outs up to $24. But EarnIn has hiked these fees multiple times, and now charges $4.99 for Cash Outs up to $75 and $6.99 for those over $75. According to the Colorado complaint, EarnIn leverages “dark patterns” to manipulate users and to make it more difficult to avoid tipping. Examples of these “road blocks” highlighted in the complaint include: As of 2023, in the EarnIn app, a consumer attempting to get a loan under the default settings had to make at least eighteen separate taps to complete the transaction and reduce the tip to $0. There is an alternative method to leave a $0 tip, via the “Custom tip” feature, but EarnIn made this option difficult to access by visually deemphasizing it and positioning it near devices’ “home” button. Using language and imagery such as “Tip to pay it forward,” “Your generosity supports the service + helps,” “Your tips make a difference,” and “[t]he APR for this cash out is 0%. Your tips help support us.” While Lightning Speed and tipping are, in theory, both optional, in practice, users nearly always ended up paying something. According to the Colorado suit, users were charged either a tip or an expedite fee for more than 92% of transactions, with an average APR of nearly 388%. And, although the advances are “non-recourse,” EarnIn successfully collects on nearly all transactions — 99.18%, according to the complaint, which, Colorado argues, “demonstrat[es] that EarnIn’s advances function as high cost loans, not voluntary payments.” The share of EarnIn users incurring fees — despite the product being marketed as 0% APR — is hard to reconcile with Andreessen investor Rampell’s favorable description of EarnIn vs. “opaque systems and steep fees” associated with payday loans, which, Rampell says, can be “extremely difficult” for borrowers to extricate themselves from. According to Colorado’s suit, EarnIn’s Cash Out product “trapped many consumers in extreme cycles of high-cost reborrowing.” The suit gives an example of one consumer in the state, who took out a whopping 1,151 loans, paying a total of $4,038.50 in Lightning Speed expedited funding fees on loans that averaged the equivalent of 1,421% APR. Another Colorado user, the suit says, took out 1,033 loans, paying $8,561.22 in tips and fees at an average APR of 1,539% . These types of usage patterns demonstrate “the severe and repeated financial harm caused by EarnIn’s illegal lending model,” the Colorado complaint argues. In aggregate, from January 2023 through July 2025, EarnIn extended 3.1 million loans to 56,778 users in Colorado — an average of nearly 55 transactions per person during the time period. EarnIn lent more than $300 million and collected more than $16 million from Colorado users in Lightning Speed fees and in tips. Ultimately, the Colorado complaint argues that “EarnIn’s Cash Outs are loans under Colorado law, and EarnIn’s contention that its product is not a loan based on its disclaimer of any legal repayment obligation lacks any real-world significance given how the Cash Out transactions actually operate in practice.” Colorado further argues that “EarnIn was not working with companies here in providing consumers with funds but acted as a third-party lender and charged illegally high rates, used deceptive design strategies to extract some charges, and trapped consumers in repeat borrowing. Colorado will continue to stand up for consumers and hold companies accountable when they violate our credit laws or attempt to evade them through misleading practices.” Colorado’s suit alleges EarnIn assesses finance charge in excess of that permitted by Colorado law, that EarnIn failed to make legally required disclosures to Colorado borrowers, that EarnIn made supervised loans to consumers without obtaining the requisite license, that EarnIn violated the state’s Deferred Deposit Loan Act, that EarnIn engage in unfair and deceptive trade practices, and that EarnIn made false or misleading statements concerning price. The suit seeks a court order enjoining EarnIn from violating relevant Colorado laws, for EarnIn to refund amounts charged in excess of state law, fees, costs, and penalties, and other relief the court deems to be just. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Q2 Quarterly Banking Profile: Five Quick Takeaways The FDIC released its quarterly banking profile, which is always worth a read, for the second quarter. The profile provides an aggregate snapshot about the overall health of the 4,238 institutions whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, who, collectively, hold more than $26 trillion in assets and saw a total net income of more than $90 billion in the second quarter. Net income was up 12% vs. Q1 2026, with lower provisions and realized gains on securities helping to drive the improvement, somewhat offset by increases in non-interest expense and applicable income taxes. Overall net interest margin was basically flat quarter over quarter (up 1 basis point vs. Q1 2026), though community banks saw NIM grow by 10 basis points, to 3.81%. Unsurprisingly, given that interest rates haven’t changed, unrealized losses on securities changed little, edging up slightly to $326.7 billion vs. $325.1 billion in Q1 2026. Aggregate credit quality has remained benign, with asset quality actually improving slightly in Q2. Overall, institutions reported a 9 basis point decline in their past-due and non-accrual rate, to 1.44%. Net charge off rate also declined by 2 basis points, to 0.57%. And finally, the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund stands at $161.1 billion, making the DIF reserve ratio 1.48% — above the statutory minimum of 1.35%, but still below the designated target reserve ratio of 2%. [Paid Subscriber Exclusive] Nissan Withdraws ILC App, State Associations Plan BankChain Alliance, FDIC Defines “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” For First Time Automaker Nissan withdrew its application to charter a Utah industrial loan company and its corresponding application to the FDIC for deposit insurance last week, on August 19th. Nissan’s application had been outstanding for more than a year, as it originally applied in June 2025. Recent applications to the OCC to form national banks have been decisioned, one way or the other, substantially more quickly than has historically been the case.
Governor Shapiro and US Health Secretary RFK Jr. trade jabs amid measles outbreak
(WHTM) — Measles mistrust and skepticism boiled over in Pennsylvania this week as deaths were announced and deaths were disputed. It led to a war of words between Governor Shapiro and U.S. He…
A Peaceful Detective Mystery to Watch
Culture and entertainment recommendations including The Sheep Detectives, the Hold Steady, and more
Can't sleep? Here's what causes insomnia and how to treat it
Insomnia can be a nightmare. Here's what you can do about it.
How did nine children die in a 1991 Pennsylvania measles outbreak?
Several years ago, vaccine expert Paul Offit gave a speech to medical staff at a pediatric hospital, saying some parents choose not to immunize their children...
Measles Outbreak In Pennsylvania— A Case Study In The Challenges Of Public Health
A public health expert explains how the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania exemplifies the challenges facing public health in America.
3 states battling new measles outbreaks. What to know
Measles outbreaks are growing across the US during the nation's worst year for cases in decades. Here's what health officials want you to know.
Luzerne County Council zeroes in on inmate health care practices
Luzerne County prison inmate medical care procedures and costs were discussed at length during last week’s County Council work session.
UW Health officials address measles vaccine misconceptions
As measles cases across the state continue to rise, UW Health officials are addressing misconceptions people may have about the MMR vaccine.
KY Health Department confirms potential measles exposure in Richmond, Olive Hill
According to the KY Department for Public Health, a potential measles exposure has been identified in Richmond and Olive Hill this week.
Kentucky health officials warn of potential measles exposures
Health officials have identified potential exposures in Richmond and Olive Hill
Analysis: Encouraging signs for new boss Jaissle
Newcastle fans may well have found themselves in the opposite position to Spurs supporters before the campaign had started - fearful of what was coming. Tonali was one of three key departures from St James' Park, along with captain Bruno Guimaraes, who went to Arsenal for £85m this month, and England winger Anthony Gordon after his £69m move to Barcelona. Manager Eddie Howe left on 31 July after nearly five successful years, which included guiding the Magpies to their first domestic trophy in 70 years with victory in the 2025 Carabao Cup.
When the Nation's Top Health Official Becomes the Outbreak's Biggest Obstacle
RFK Jr. cast doubt on confirmed measles-associated deaths during Pennsylvania's worst outbreak in decades.
Wellesley kids turn stray golf balls into a thriving business
Young Wellesley entrepreneurs selling recycled golf balls across from Nehoiden Golf Club entrances
Dolly Parton once turned down a song request from Elvis Presley. That was just one business decision that helped build her $650 million empire
Parton established her own publishing company in 1966, which helped her hold on to nearly all of her publishing rights.
Cortland County reports measles case; health officials track contacts, say public risk low
A person in Cortland County has been diagnosed with measles and is recovering at home, prompting local health officials to work to identify anyone who may have
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.
Meta reaches $18 billion settlement, rising measles cases in the U.S.
Watch the full episode here.
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…
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.
Political feud between Gov. Shapiro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. erupts into high-stakes battle over vaccine safety
Amid a worsening measles outbreak that has sickened hundreds throughout the state, Gov. Josh Shapiro stepped to the podium during a press conference in...
Tickets on sale for Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment induction ceremony
KINGSTON — Tickets are on sale for the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the campus of Wyoming Seminary.
Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 460 cases of measles in 31 counties
Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases, according to the press release.
DPH Confirms Four Additional Measles Cases in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed four additional cases of measles in the metro Atlanta area.
Chautauqua County Health Department warns residents about measles
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Chautauqua County Health Department is warning residents about measles cases spreading across Western New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Measles is highly contagious.…
Shapiro, Kennedy have war of words following 2 measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health this week recorded its first two measles-associated deaths in 35 years, both in people who were unvaccinated. The agency declined to provide further details, saying it was protecting patient privacy.
Chautauqua County Health Department Alerts Residents to Measles Activity in Surrounding Areas
Photo Left: CCHD’s Mobile Health Vehicle; Photo Right: Child receiving immunization on Mobile Health Vehicle
How batteries are reshaping the solar power business model
Also in today’s newsletter, are global emissions approaching a peak?
CIA Chief John Ratcliffe’s Trip to Moscow Has Everyone On Edge | WSJ Politics Newsletter for Aug. 28
Plus, companies that have cut checks for Trump are beginning to worry, and efforts to prosecute Anthony Fauci are falling apart.
All hail Week 0, plus an apology for the poll
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Make amends with Cleveland today. Coming up: 👋 Hey, actual college football 👨⚖️ The judges are back 🏈 A new NFL mock draft Tomorrow at noon ET, across the planet, an American tradition officially begins. The college football season will be underway, with North Carolina coach Bill Belichick — still a strange concept to me — welcoming us with what will surely be a big smile. Welcome to Week 0, the part of the...
As a measles outbreak escalates in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, exposures rattle people at risk
Measles is showing up in places where people who can’t be protected have to live, work or go to school.
Glacier collapse that caused Nepal floods was linked to climate change, scientists say
Climate change is making the Himalayas more dangerous, creating a slew of increasing hazards in Nepal.
Josh Shapiro is battling RFK Jr. over measles, and the politics are getting messy
A feud between the Pennsylvania governor and health secretary sparked by this week's reports of measles-related deaths laid bare the increasingly polarized politics of public health.
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.
Josh Shapiro is battling RFK Jr. over measles, and the politics are getting messy
A feud between the Pennsylvania governor and health secretary sparked by this week's reports of measles-related deaths laid bare the increasingly polarized politics of public health.
Shapiro, RFK Jr. clash after Pennsylvania health officials report 2 measles-related deaths
Who's wild for Wile E.? 'Coyote vs. Acme' is finally here
Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.
Two people with measles died in Pennsylvania. Misinformation and politics erupted.
The state Health Department said an infant’s death was associated with measles. The county coroner says the baby with measles died of a ruptured spleen.
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
Former MassGOP Chair, political pundit sues Shortsleeve campaign on eve of primary
The former Chair of the MassGOP and current conservative political pundit is suing GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve’s campaign for allegedly secretly recording her without consent.
Trump officials cast doubt on Pennsylvania measles death claims
Top Trump administration health officials are openly questioning the circumstances of two deaths that Pennsylvania officials attributed to measles. “We don’t know exactly what happened in P…
All eyes on Warsh in Wyoming
Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter{beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story All eyes on Warsh in Wyoming Federal Reserve Chair…
Pennsylvania health official confirms 2 measles-associated deaths in state
High School Sports in the Heat
High temperatures and new safety rules are transforming practice as a new school year begins.
Dolly’s generosity to Vanderbilt Health highlighted; reading test results before your doctor has a chance; staying healthy this fall; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
Dolly Parton’s generosity to Vanderbilt Health was mentioned in many of her obituaries. A sampling: The New York Times, the BBC, NPR, NBC News, The Guardian, and Scripps News. Vanderbilt Health News posted a tribute to her, as well, and Mark Denison, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and former director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, spoke to NewsNation for a story about her impact on his research. Everyday Health interviewed Trent Rosenbloom, MD, MPH, Professor of Biomedical Informatics, for a story about a new JAMA study that found two-thirds of patients read test results before connecting with a doctor. Comprehension of test results varied: 6.6 percent said they had a poor understanding, 26.8 percent understood the results fairly well, 31.7 percent understood them well, and 34.9 percent understood the results very well. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted by several news outlets about public health issues, including: Healthline (cyclosporiasis cases now in 47 states); “The Naked Scientists” podcast (salmonella outbreak sickens hundreds); Medscape (the lighter-than-usual just-completed Australian flu season); and People (how to stay healthy this fall). Scripps News interviewed Jessica Young, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, about Vanderbilt researchers launching a study to determine if GLP-1 drugs can help people with opioid use disorder. WSMV Channel 4 News reporter Diana Rocco interviewed Kashish Goel, MBBS, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Transcatheter Heart Valve Interventions, for a story about patient Dixie Watt and her minimally invasive valve replacement with the M3 device, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement. Fogarty International Center writer/editor Susan Scutti interviewed John Koethe, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, for a profile article for their newsletter, Global Health Matters. The article presents him as an example of a Fogarty Fellow success story and focus on his past and present research, including the HIV/AIDS research he conducted for his Fogarty project at the Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia in 2008 and 2009.
Oregon health officials warn of possible measles exposure at crowded Canby Rodeo
Oregon health officials say large crowds, tight seating and the difficulty of pinpointing who might have been at risk led to their exposure notice about the outdoor event.
RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute that
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeatedly told lawmakers who held the key to his confirmation last year that a 2019 visit to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak had ” nothing to do with vaccines.” New documents obtained by The Associated Press and The Guardian refute that testimony.
Pennsylvania measles deaths prompt concerns for NJ health leaders
NJ health officials are urging people to stay up to date on immunizations following two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania.
Sen. Alsobrooks: Measles rise in Maryland is ‘directly tied’ to ‘misinformation’ spread by RFK Jr.
Google’s new Fitbit Air brings Pokémon Sleep to your wrist
Google teamed up with the Pokemon Company to introduce a special-edition Fitbit Air that works with the Pokémon Sleep app.
Woman Baffled After She Finds Photo of Herself for Sale at a Thrift Shop (Exclusive)
Ansley Martin tells PEOPLE her family was “crying laughing” after the decades-old portrait unexpectedly turned up an hour from where she grew up
Selena Gomez asks judge to dismiss ‘absurd’ fraud lawsuit over Wondermind mental health startup
The request comes two weeks after investors in Wondermind filed a lawsuit alleging they were misled into investing nearly $1.2 million in the 2021 start-up.
Google launches Pokémon Sleep special-edition Fitbit Air
Can this replace your Pokéwalker?
Bad Xbox ‘Fable’ Combat Video Goes Viral, But It’s Pretty Misleading
There is new 'Fable' combat circulating, which does not look great for the Xbox game, but there is more context needed than what's being shown.
AP report: RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute that
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then a prominent anti-vaccine activist, preempted the 2019 visit with a letter to the Samoan prime minister requesting to study the Pacific island nation’s measles, mumps and rubella vaccines after the deaths of two children who had received them. In the letter, he used the words vaccine or vaccination eight times.
A tragic Pennsylvania death is drawing attention to a growing health threat
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed that one of two measles-related deaths involved an infant as the state’s outbreak grows.
Decoding DEA action on kratom-related substances
RFK Jr. downplays measles threat, FDA approves pancreatic drug, and more health news from Morning Rounds
Google announces new Fitbit Air Special Edition with Pokémon Sleep [Hands-on]
The first follow-up to the Fitbit Air is a new Special Edition that integrates with Pokémon Sleep. Available in the US and Japan...
Google Is Releasing A Special Edition Pokémon Sleep Fitbit Air In September
You can get a special Fitbit Air with a sleeping Pikachu design next month.
Flock Cameras, the ‘Surveillance State,’ and a Political Reckoning | WSJ Politics Newsletter for Aug. 27
Plus, Hakeem Jeffries scrambles to find balance among the Democratic Party’s competing factions, and states face confusion over new mail-in ballot rules.
Baby among 2 reported measles deaths Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, health officials say
Pennsylvania officials say an infant was among the two unvaccinated patients who died while being infected with measles.
Vaccination protections 'teetering' as state declares measles outbreaks in 3 counties
Despite Maryland’s relatively high measles vaccination rate statewide, those rates are slipping and varying coverage by county can leave community members exposed to potentially severe or deadly infection.
Adding Anxiety and Suicide Screening to Depression Screening Identifies More At-Risk Adolescents
Depression screening alone missed more than half of adolescents with mental health concerns; combining anxiety and suicide risk assessments with it may reveal additional positive screens.
Political operatives warn campaigns: Don’t trust prediction markets
Political prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are gaining traction, but campaign operatives warn their election odds can be misleading.
Dolly Parton's best business move was saying no to Elvis Presley
In the 1970s, Dolly Parton turned down Elvis Presley when he asked to split publishing rights for "I Will Always Love You." The risky move paid off.
SEC Halts NFL Players From Returning to College Football
After a slew of news about the controversial returns in college football, the SEC has laid down the law. The SEC unanimously banned the admittance of professional athletes back to its member schools Tuesday night, ending a recent period of chaos just days before the 2026 season kicks off. The SEC follows in the Big […]
The Real Purpose of China's Robot Games Is Not Your Entertainment
China’s endlessly delightful World Humanoid Robot Games featured tons of impressive stunts. But the most mindblowing tricks were far less showy, and a lot more significant. For more like this, subscribe to Will Knight’s “AI Lab” newsletter.
Rupert Grint will become Ron Weasley again
Rupert Grint, known as Ron Weasley from the “Harry Potter” movies, will reprise his role on Broadway in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” He will perform at the Lyric
Even at big companies, health care costs are increasing
Two U.S. measles deaths, the profit motive for women's health, and more Morning Rounds news today
🧠 Y! Sports AM: New CTE study
At least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, according to a new study.
Kingsley Enagbare stole the show at Jets' training camp practice
Veteran defensive end Kingsley Enagbare stole the show at the New York Jets' Tuesday practice session.
What Darline Graham’s Republican Runoff Win Means for November Elections | WSJ Politics Newsletter for Aug. 26
Plus, Canada hits back at U.S. with new tariffs amid growing trade war, and CIA director makes a surprise visit to Moscow.
How Ikea Turned a Controller Thumbstick Into the Star of Its Xbox Gaming Range
Xbox and Ikea collab alert! This unique nine-piece collection for gamers arrives this fall and has a slew of Easter eggs.
Politics Chat, August 25, 2026
A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.
Medical providers say public excitement over peptides is outpacing the science
Med-spas, weight loss clinics and wellness centers around Charleston are advertising peptides, compounds marketed for muscle growth, skin health, sleep and energy.
The Business Decision That Left Dolly Parton In Tears – And Made Her A Fortune
Revisiting the time Dolly Parton said ‘no’ to Elvis Presley, and why it was one of the best decisions of her career.
South Carolina Election Becomes Test for Trump
Runoffs in the state are typically sleepy, but the Republican Senate contest between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman seemed to be drawing relatively high turnout.
2 die from measles in Pennsylvania, health officials say
Two people have died in Pennsylvania from measles, the state health department said Tuesday.
Two UNLV Computer Scientists Earn Prestigious Early Career Research Awards
UNLV College of Engineering professors Chuck Tessler and John Businge each received highly coveted CAREER awards from the National Science Foundation to bolster their research programs.
2 measles-related deaths reported in Pennsylvania, the state’s first in 35 years
Both people were unvaccinated. Their deaths, the first ones reported in the U.S. this year, came as the country registers the most measles cases in any year since 1991.
Two people in Pennsylvania have died from measles
Two people have died due to measles in Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health said Tuesday. Both individuals were unvaccinated.
Pennsylvania reports two deaths from measles, health department says
Pennsylvania reported two deaths related to measles on Tuesday, the first such deaths in the state in 35 years, health officials said.
Two die of measles in Pennsylvania outbreak, health officials say
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
Pennsylvania health department reports 2 measles deaths in Lancaster County
Pennsylvania has recorded its first two deaths connected to measles in 35 years.
2 people die from measles in Pennsylvania
Two people have died in Pennsylvania from measles, the state health department said Tuesday.
The science behind later school start times
As Pennsylvania districts consider later bells, Penn Medicine sleep and neuroscience experts explain why adolescent biology can make early school start times especially challenging.
Building the future of women’s sports, literally. Plus: A record crowd in Georgia
Welcome to Full Time, The Athletic's women's soccer newsletter.
Measles case confirmed in Kane County; health officials working to notify potentially exposed people
Health officials in the west suburbs are working to notify people who may have been exposed to the measles.
Maryland declares measles outbreak in 3 counties
The Maryland Department of Health has declared a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties, health officials said Monday. The health department said it is investigating 14 confirmed cases among unvaccinated Maryland residents and that most of the case contacts occurred within specific households. Measles is considered highly contagious and can be spread through the air when an…
Health officials declare 14 new measles cases and outbreaks in three counties
Measles outbreaks have been declared in St. Mary's, Carroll and Cecil counties, Maryland health officials announced.
Maryland reports 27 measles cases since July 15, all among unvaccinated residents
Maryland declared a measles outbreak in three counties after confirming 14 new cases, all involving unvaccinated residents. No public exposures were found.
Maryland Dept. of Health declares measles outbreak in three counties as cases rise to 31
The Maryland Department of Health has declared a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties after confirming 14 new cases among unvaccinated res
Maryland Department of Health declares measles outbreak in 3 counties with 14 new cases
The Maryland Department of Health is declaring an outbreak of measles in three counties.
SGMC Health Welcomes Pulmonologist Dawn Stanley, MD
SGMC Health welcomes pulmonologist Dawn Stanley, MD, to the health system. Her addition expands access to specialized pulmonary care for patients across the region, with a primary focus on outpatient pulmonology while also bringing extensive experience in critical care and sleep medicine.