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‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch
Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. On Thursday, August 27, Bit Reactor’s debut title, Star Wars Zero Company, released to stellar reviews. And, from the Gamescom show in Cologne, Germany, studio co-founder Greg Foertsch was giving interviews discussing what the studio’s next game may be. But for many developers on the game, launch has been bittersweet. Fans love it. Critics prefer it to most recent Star Wars games. Zero Company, which is out for PS5, Xbox Series consoles and PC, is the top-selling game on Steam. Much of the team that made it, however, is currently going without pay. They were furloughed, just weeks ahead of the game’s launch. A rep for Bit Reactor confirmed to Game File today that the studio had furloughed many of its workers prior to the game’s release. They said it was a difficult decision and one that had been made before it was clear how launch would go. The rep emphasized that the call to do this was Bit Reactor’s alone (meaning not from publisher EA nor Star Wars license holder Disney). While the rep declined to comment on the scale of the furloughs, a previously unreported lawsuit brought by studio co-founder Alison Kelly in 2024 noted in a filing from August 12 of this year that Bit Reactor “has furloughed most of its employees and terminated contractors…” One source told Game File the furloughs impacted 80% of the team; another referred to there only being a skeleton crew left on Bit Reactor’s active payroll, ready to address any of Zero Company’s post-launch bugs. The issue is that Bit Reactor, a studio formed in 2021, had run out of most of its money just ahead of the launch of its first game. Over the weekend, Zachariah Scott, a senior technical artist who worked at Bit Reactor from early 2023 until an acrimonious exit this past May, said on LinkedIn that the studio was “concealing the fact that the team was Furloughed weeks ago.” Reached by phone today, Scott told Game File that he spoke to nearly a dozen Bit Reactor workers over the weekend. “Everybody has essentially the same story, which is, ‘Yeah, I got furloughed three weeks ago.” The Bit Reactor rep told Game File that the studio hoped to bring furloughed workers back, suggesting that a successful launch of the game could be impactful. Scott told Game File that workers he spoke to were less confident that even if there were returns, that all who were furloughed would get their old jobs again. A heated dispute Bit Reactor’s mid-2026 was almost even more tumultuous. The lawsuit by co-founder Alison Kelly that first revealed the furloughs was initially slated to go to trial in June. The suit is a she-said/he-said about whether Kelly, until 2024 the chief operating officer of Bit Reactor, was a co-owner of the studio or whether it was solely owned by Greg Foertsch. In July 2024, Kelly sued, saying she was pushed out by Foertsch. She first sued in federal court and later refiled in Maryland’s Baltimore County, alleging breach of contract and that Foertsch had unjustly enriched himself. Kelly cited damages of over $20 million, on the basis of Bit Reactor allegedly being worth more than double that. Foertsch’s side has said Kelly was never a co-owner and has countered with claims about her job performance (which she has denied). The June trial was postponed until early 2027, as both sides have been deposing witnesses and filing more claims and denials along the way. Amid all of that, filings in the lawsuit reviewed by Game File paint a picture about Bit Reactor’s origins, early aspirations around tactics games, the team’s breakthrough in drawing the attention of Electronic Arts with the help of a pitch tied to one of EA’s non-Star Wars franchises, and early fractures among its co-founders. The real story about the company behind Zero Company
Zach Ertz Reunion Rumors Addressed By Eagles GM
The Philadelphia Eagles were recently linked to their former star tight end Zach Ertz. Late last week, it was reported that Ertz would “love to” come back and play for the team he started his career with. On Monday, August 31, another report surfaced from the team’s perspective. According to PHLY’s EJ Smith, an Ertz […] The post Zach Ertz Reunion Rumors Addressed By Eagles GM appeared first on HEAVY.
SCOREBOARD | Northeast Florida high school sports for Aug. 31-Sept. 5
The Times-Union rounds up high school sports scores and results across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida for Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2026.
Business News September 2026
• Fall at the Farmers Market • The Fraud Clock is Ticking • Remodel to achieve your Forever Home • Roger, the Computer Guy! • Cornell Farm’s Century Farm Celebration • Grand Opening Celebration at OR Credit Union • The Confidence Within: an educational pelvic wellness experience • Back-to-School Dinner Dilemma, Solved
‘Ghost employee’ scheme earns former senior director at Optum 3 years in prison
As part of a fake job scam where a friend received a six-figure salary despite doing no work, a former senior director at Optum was found guilty of committing fraud and money laundering.
DSA leader's working-class image takes hit as public records pile up contradictions
Gustavo Gordillo, NYC Democratic Socialists of America co-chair, faces scrutiny over claims about his immigrant parents, union status and housing.
Kalshi bans ex-congressman George Santos from prediction platform for life
Santos was accused of profiting from bets tied to his attendance at Trump’s State of the Union address
Kalshi permanently bans ex-Congressman George Santos for life after concluding he likely was insider trading
The company announced the ban after saying its compliance department had established reasonable cause to believe Santos engaged in insider trading over his attendance at the State of the Union, when he turned a $17,839 profit on his trading activity.
Kalshi bans ex-Congressman George Santos for life after concluding he likely was insider trading
The online prediction market platform Kalshi has permanently banned former U.S. Rep. George Santos after concluding the former Republican congressman likely engaged in insider trading when he bet against his attendance at the State of the Union address.
Hanover volleyball looks to build defense after losing key seniors
Hanover Coach: Avery Kretschmar (1) League: NHIAA Division II Last Year: 12-5; loss in the quarterfinals Top Returners: Seniors — Sage Fargher (Setter), Bella Poisson (Outside), Casey Wilkinson (Libero), Esther Skogerboe (Middle) Newcomers: Juniors — Nour Tannous (Outside), Laila Sundred (Defensive Specialist), Amelia McGinnis (Right Side) Coach’s Analysis: “With the matriculation of seasoned front row […]
Burrow, Allen lead 2026 Top-20 fantasy football quarterback rankings
Joe Burrow and Josh Allen lead UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's Top 20 fantasy football quarterback rankings for the 2026 NFL season.
Kalshi Bans George Santos for Life Over State of the Union Bets
The decision comes after a federal regulator alleged he made more than $17,000 by placing bets on his attendance at the State of the Union address.
Scientists discover two superconducting states hiding as one
Scientists have uncovered hidden complexity inside two ultrathin superconductors that seemed much simpler than they really are. Niobium diselenide and tantalum disulfide appeared to have a single superconducting state, but highly sensitive measurements revealed that each actually contains two strongly interacting states working so closely together that they masquerade as one.
The New Playbook for Companion Screen Advertising
The Companion Screen offers new research revealing how the relationship between television and mobile is reshaping sports advertising.
Pro-AI group jumps into the data center fight with new ads aimed at reshaping public opinion
The nonprofit group Build American AI is launching a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin to promote its data center agenda.
Opionion: Generational health is generational wealth
To close Connecticut's racial wealth gap, we must start treating health equity as an economic development strategy.
Gems, ghosts and GTA VI: the biggest video games for autumn 2026
There are juggernauts and indie gems aplenty for when the nights draw in, from an ingenious puzzle game to blockbusters such as Marvel’s Wolverine and Call of Duty
Data center growth could outpace power generation
Dominion Energy confronts rising power demand from nearly 650 data centers in Virginia, straining the grid and prompting infrastructure investments.
Dominion lays groundwork for CVOW South
Dominion Energy secures land in Virginia Beach for CVOW South, a proposed offshore wind project off North Carolina with 800 megawatts capacity.
San Antonio Sports’ 2026 Hall of Fame class honors UTSA football trailblazer Larry Coker, quarterback Frank Harris
American politics: Will Rogers overheard out on the front porch
OPINION — If Will Rogers were here today, he might have something to say: Well, I’ve been watching this country for a spell now, and I’ll tell you something that may not sit easy: …
Nearly 53% of Iceland's voters reject EU membership
In a close vote, voters in Iceland have rejected resuming talks on joining the European Union. EU membership talks were previously halted 13 years ago by a government that opposed closer ties with the bloc.
These San Antonio businesses are closed after Friday's storm
The Friday night storm left thousands without power.
Lt. Gov. David Wasinger dives into the importance of agritourism
Lt. Gov. Wasinger also discusses efforts to engage seniors and shares why he decided to jump into politics
'College GameDay' Fans Appear To Be Turning On Kirk Herbstreit
They appear to be changing their opinion of him.
Tidelands Health offers hands-on nursing event for high school students
Tidelands Health is offering its annual “Nurses are Extraordinary” event to selected high school juniors and seniors in Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties.
The art of balancing formal business communication with authenticity
Senior Staff Writer Anna Mammarelli writes that professionalism need not come at the expense of personality.
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.
EU provides €12 million to WHO to sustain essential health services and support recovery across Syria
30 August 2026, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – The World Health Organization (WHO) has received €12 million (approximately US$14 million) from European Union Humanitarian Aid, to help sustain essential health...
Week 1 San Antonio high school football scores for Saturday
Here are the scores and stats from Saturday as Week 1 wrapped up in San Antonio.
One of the Supreme Court’s worst ideas could save the midterms from Trump
The new opinion blocking Trump’s attempt to sabotage voting by mail makes a savvy play for several Republican justices.
Opinion/Guest column: More home health aid, better care for all in MA
Our state needs more clinicians to choose careers in home health so that we can improve outcomes for patients and bring down costs.
Medicare's pilot GLP-1 discount program has a catch. Some sick patients don't qualify
Medicare launched a pilot program that could streamline the process to get GLP-1s, with some seniors paying just $50 a month. But many people with the most serious illnesses won't get that discount.
Opinion | Behind the Nepal-China border floods lie bad politics
While the solidarity on display in the wake of the disaster is commendable, the tragedy must not be viewed as an unpredictable, unpreventable act of nature.
Sacramento businesses and customers react to cocktails to-go bill
A bill to extend California's cocktails to-go program through 2029 is awaiting the governor's decision, with businesses supporting the measure and customers expressing mixed opinions.
Game 2 Gamethread: Giants vs. Diamondbacks
Yunior Marte vs. Mitch Bratt.
Review: OnStage Playhouse’s ‘Mensa’ a smart drama about politics and listening
Salomón Maya’s new play is a cautionary tale about finding common ground before it’s too late
Patriots Cut Former Chargers RB Ahead of NFL Roster Deadline
The New England Patriots gave Hassan Haskins a reunion with Mike Vrabel earlier in August. It lasted just 17 days.New England released the veteran running back Saturday as it continued trimming its roster ahead of the NFL’s 53-man deadline. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported the move on Aug. 29, hours after the Patriots added another option […] The post Patriots Cut Former Chargers RB Ahead of NFL Roster Deadline appeared first on HEAVY.
Healthcare workers call for new labor agreement prior to deadline
13WHAM ABC Rochester provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, health reports, notices of events and items of interest in the community, local sports and entertainment programming for Rochester and nearby towns and communities including Greece, Victor, Pittsford, Penfield, Henrietta, Webster, Irondequoit, Fairport, Chili, Gates, Rush, Wheatland, Canandaigua, Farmington, Spencerport and Hilton.
LIST: San Antonio area businesses closed due to storm damage, power outages
Power outages and storm damage have forced several San Antonio-area businesses to close Saturday.
Cunion Frames Its Wearable Health Ecosystem Around Five Health Benefits
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2026) - Most health technology can overwhelm users with constant notifications and dashboards, eventually causing them to disengage. In response to this challenge, Cunion is building an ecosystem around the premise that the healthiest device is the one that stays quiet until it has something worth saying. From this approach, Cunion identifies five practical health benefits across its wearable ecosystem.To view an enhanced version of this...
5-star small forward Will Brunson discusses recruitment, Duke
2028 5-star small forward Will Brunson discusses Duke, his recruitment heading into junior season.
San Antonio businesses close after storm, power outages
Restaurants, libraries, medical clinics and entertainment sites around San Antonio are currently without power after the storm and will remain closed.
San Antonio closures after storm damage, power outages
One restaurant said its dining room flooded during the storms.
Dogs may hold surprising clues to human longevity
Dogs and humans may have more in common when it comes to aging than scientists realized. Researchers with the Dog Aging Project found that patterns of small molecules in dogs’ blood were linked to longer or shorter lifespans in remarkably similar ways to those seen in people. These metabolic “fingerprints” could offer clues about the biological processes that drive aging, including metabolism, inflammation, and cellular stress.
Opinion | Democrats Have an Identity Politics Problem. Just Not the One You Think.
Instead of rallying around their candidates, Democrats are falling out among themselves.
Opinion | The little-understood roots of our health care catastrophe
We need to understand where it went wrong if we’re going to fix it.
Weekly Portland women’s sports wrap up (8/28)
Weekly Portland women’s sports wrap up (8/28) presented by Rebound Rebound Orthopedics and Neurosurgery and Rivermark Community Credit Union.
Former county behavioral health director evaluating ‘legal options’ after public dismissal
The county has remained mum on deeper reasons for the termination.
Tarik Skubal Reflects on Emotional Tigers Reunion After Dodgers Win
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal had a heavy outing on August 28th against his former beloved team, the Detroit Tigers. Entering free agency, and with the Tigers left unable to afford Skubal, Detroit was essentially forced to deal…
All iRacing content will be available in career mode at ‘zero extra cost’
All content will be available in iRacing's career mode at ‘zero extra cost’, according to Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Greg Hill.
California’s opposition is facing a political ‘machine,’ Christopher Rufo says
Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo reviews California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s tenure on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.’
Rehobeth High School business teacher named teacher of the month
Rehobeth High School business teacher Shannon Godwin is the first teacher of the month for the school year, recognized as part of News4 and All in Credit Union’s ongoing series highlighting teachers.
Senior German politicians call for ban on parts of far-right AfD
Boris Pistorius and Cem Özdemir say top court should consider outlawing Alternative for Germany’s most radical flank
Join us Sept. 9 in Austin and online for a discussion on the politics of data centers in Texas
Data centers are reshaping Texas communities, and the politics around them don’t break along familiar lines. Join The Texas Tribune at 9 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 9 in Austin or online for a conversation that goes beyond the headlines to examine where Texans actually stand on the data center boom, how opinions are shifting and what […]
Texas Politics Project director discusses new poll results, Senate race and data center opinion
Melissa Hirschenson Exits Innovative, Launches The Hirschenson Group
EXCLUSIVE: We have learned that senior talent agent Melissa Hirschenson is launching The Hirschenson Group, a new management and entertainment consulting company. The Hirschenson Group will work acros...
BMC Health System Hosted a "Family Meeting" of Experts on Land and Generational Wealth at Historic Union Chapel
At historic Union Chapel on Martha’s Vineyard, BMC Health System brought Black leaders together to explore land, legacy, family, and generational wealth.
‘There are several reasons why we’re in this precarious situation’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
Opinion: Alaska’s science is strange enough without the conspiracy theories
Alaska’s research facilities do remarkable work. Causing earthquakes and controlling the weather isn’t part of the job description.
‘Snake Men’ by Zach St. George
Who gets to name a newly discovered species is an unsettled question in the world of biology. Conflicts over taxonomy can become venomous.
Opinion | Democrats Want Fighters. A Former Republican Has Ideas.
On deep frustration with the Democratic establishment and potential souring among Trump supporters.
Willis Names Paul Haas Senior Director of Business Development for Midwest
The latest people news in the industry today.
‘The Cardinal Countdown: 9 Days Until Kickoff’
ANTONIO WATTS #9 Height: 6’2” Weight: 225lb Position: DB Class: Fifth Year Hometown: Columbus, GA Summary: On any given play you can find Antonio Watts lined up close to the line of scrimmage, back in a more traditional linebacker front, or a bit deeper like a coverage corner. He can play inside, he can play […]
Another federally qualified health center is coming to Coatesville in 2027 — this time inside of a high school
Union Community Care’s school-based community health center would be the first of its kind in Chester County.
Aldine Students Turn Food Truck Models Into Lessons in Business, Teamwork and Entrepreneurship
IMAGE For students in Marilyn Johnson’s business classes at Eisenhower Ninth Grade College Prep, a food truck begins with more than a menu. It starts with a question: What do their customers want? Over the past four years, Johnson has turned a classroom assignment into a hands-on business simulation that asks students to take an idea from customer research to a 3D food truck model — and build a business around it. The project recently received a boost when Greater Texas Credit Union presented Johnson with a $250 award recognizing her commitment to students and meaningful learning experiences. “I want students [...]
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
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