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IT firm’s relocation paves way for latest I-88 warehouse project
The plan spotlights two forces reshaping the suburban office market: Companies upgrading their workspace to adapt to post-pandemic usage and real estate firms redeveloping office properties into warehouses.
US suspends visa program for tech firms including Microsoft
The Trump administration said it would suspend an immigration program for multiple tech firms, including Microsoft Corp., alleging widespread abuse of a worker visa system. “There has been no company
Blizzard is changing the appearance of WoW: Forever's new Skyborne race in response to community feedback
A new blog post from the World of Warcraft: Forever team confirms the models for Skyborne elves are being reworked following feedback, coming early 2027.
Wizards of the Coast Confirms Reprints for Popular MTG Warhammer 40K Commander Decks
In a statement to IGN, Wizards of the Coast has confirmed a new "small" reprint run for the incredibly popular MTG Warhammer 40K Commander Decks.
Agent confirms Juventus has made an approach for his player
Lorenzo Palmisani is one of the most wanted players in Serie A at the moment. He has continued to impress when he plays for Frosinone since the start of this season.Their fine start to the campaign is...
Commercial muralist builds brand identity, value
Riveting Paint & Pearl owner Desire McGinn approaches murals less like commissioned fine art and more like a skilled trade, working directly with business owners, contractors, and design firms to turn walls and other surfaces into extensions of a client's brand.
PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN) Stock Has Average Target Price of $23.94 According to Analysts
Shares of PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the twenty ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating an
Anthony Joseph Confirms Celtic Behind-the-Scenes News
There is a behind-the-scenes update on Celtic amid all the speculation around Martin O'Neill's future at the club.
The Lateral Is Coming. Is the Business? How Law Firms Can Turn Lateral Hiring into Revenue
A lateral hire represents one of the largest growth investments many law firms make. Yet firms sometimes spend more energy negotiating the lateral’s compensation package than planning how the lawyer will succeed once inside the building.
Montana health officials warn of severe risks as Fergus County confirms measles case
Some health experts say Montanans are at risk of measles with declining vaccination rates, and Fergus County confirmed this month a case of measles.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release Date Revealed
A new report confirms the PS5 release date for one of most highly rated games of 2026, Forz Horizon 6. Here are more details.
Trump admin to receive $100 million in compute credits for AI science initiative
The credits are intended to give Genesis Mission researchers access to computing power that smaller labs and companies struggle to secure as major AI firms lock up capacity.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ:MLCO) Stock Rated "Moderate Buy" by Wall Street Brokerages
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ:MLCO - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, five have g
Option Care Health (OPCH) Rockets as CD&R, McKesson Table 37% Premium Bid
Option Care Health Inc. (NASDAQ:OPCH) soared by as much as 33 percent on Tuesday to $31.11 apiece following news that it is merging with Clayson, Dubilier, & Rice LLC (CD&R) and McKesson Corp. for $5.8 billion. In a joint statement, the firms said that they entered into a definitive agreement under which they will acquire […]
WealthPath managed assets rise to new level
The top-ranked locally-owned independent wealth management firms in Northwest Arkansas have exceeded $2 billion in managed assets, while another surpassed $1 billion in managed assets for the first time, according...
Remaking scents: could fragrance tech help take pressure off endangered plants?
Firms working on reproducing compounds without need for repeated harvesting but conservationists are sceptical
Germany under pressure
From carmakers and manufacturers to farmers and logistics firms, businesses are grappling with weak demand, climate risks, and global uncertainty.
Kenya confirms first Ebola case imported from Congo after patient dies in Nairobi
Kenya’s Health Ministry has confirmed the country’s first imported Ebola case from Congo
Vermont firms slash energy costs with new projects
Efficiency Vermont projects are set to save state businesses $78 million in energy costs over their lifetime.
Kenya confirms first Ebola case imported from Congo after patient dies in Nairobi
Kenya’s Health Ministry has confirmed the country’s first imported Ebola case from Congo.
Kenya confirms first Ebola case imported from Congo, patient has died
Kenya has recorded its first confirmed Ebola case, a Kenyan citizen who has been living in Democratic Republic of Congo and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday, health minister Aden Duale said.
Banijay Entertainment confirms structure for Americas
Banijay Entertainment has confirmed its newly combined structure across the Americas
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN) Stock Has Average Target Price of $21.50
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have issued a hold recomme
Montana health officials warn of severe risks as Fergus County confirms measles case
Some health experts say Montanans are at risk of measles with declining vaccination rates, and Fergus County confirmed a case of measles.
New Zealand third quarter business confidence jumps, says think tank
WELLINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand's business confidence rose in the third quarter even as fuel prices increase and geopolitics remain a headwind for the country, a private think tank said on Tuesday. A net 43% of firms surveyed expec...
New Zealand third quarter business confidence jumps, says think tank
WELLINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand's business confidence rose in the third quarter even as fuel prices increased and geopolitics remained a headwind for the country, a private think tank said on Tuesday. A net 43% of firms surveyed expected ge...
Broker consolidation shifts from dealmaking to integration
Years of rapid consolidation in the insurance brokerage sector are giving way to a greater focus on integrating acquired firms and on finding sources of organic growth in a softening market…
Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms
Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex legal interplay of federal and state laws raised by the case
Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms
Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex legal interplay of federal and state laws raised by the case
Banijay America Confirms Ben Samek as CEO, Post-Merger With All3Media
Banijay America has confirmed its new structure post-merger with All3Media, as Ben Samek will serve as CEO of the combined company.
CMS Mulls Cuts to Business Services Staff
CMS follows other law firms, such as Baker McKenzie and Clifford Chance, in seeking out savings in its back-office functions.
Anthropic expected to IPO despite market uncertainty, AI slowdown calls
Wall Street is gearing up for Anthropic’s expected mega initial public offering, a major test of investors’ appetite for one of the AI industry’s leading firms. Just weeks ago, its CEO called for an industry-wide slowdown over growing safety concerns.
Global action urged over digital media’s harm to young people’s mental health
In an effort to build a ‘healthier digital world’ for young people, experts are calling on tech firms to release data showing how platform features affect user wellbeing
Science confirms ‘Move in Silence’ trend might be the smartest way to achieve your goals
TikTok's "Move in Silence" trend is backed by real psychology, and NYU research shows why staying quiet helps you succeed.
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. 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. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
In defence of big business
Despite the lionisation of small companies, prosperity hinges on a handful of large firms
Rockstar Games Confirms Next Official GTA 6 Update for October 5
Grand Theft Auto fans looking forward to the long-awaited GTA 6 should circle their calendars for Monday, October 5.
Flutter Entertainment PLC (NYSE:FLUT) Stock Has Average Target Price of $155.37
Flutter Entertainment PLC (NYSE:FLUT - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirty-one ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have given a hold reco
UW College of Business career fair connects students with employers
The University of Wyoming College of Business recently hosted its annual career fair and Meet the Firms events in the Jonah Bank Atrium, bringing employers from across Wyoming and the
Cheaper AI models may strain power grid, consulting firms say
In new reports published this week McKinsey and BCG reveal the impact of falling token prices and impact on the grid.
Apple Acknowledges AT&T Network Bug On iPhone 18 Pro Max
Experiencing SOS mode on your iPhone 18 Pro Max with AT&T? Apple confirms a hardware issue and details who needs a replacement.
Apple Confirms AT&T iPhone 18 Pro Max Problems. You Might Need a New Phone
This week's iOS update is intended to prevent this from happening to other phones. If your iPhone 18 Max Pro has already lost service, you'll need to return it for a new one.
Apple confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max AT&T cellular issues, affected devices require hardware replacement
Apple has confirmed an issue causing a “small number” of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T to lose cellular...
GTA 6 Age Rating Confirms New Details on Sex, Drug Use, Decapitation, and More
GTA 6 has received a rating of PEGI 18, revealing mentions of "decapitation," the ability for players to snort cocaine at any time, "scenes of sexual fetishes," and much more.
GTA 6 Rating Officially Confirms Sex Will Indeed Be in the Game
Grand Theft Auto 6 is about to spice things up
Grand Old Populists: GOP lawmakers target big business
It’s a major risk for big financial services firms, health insurance companies and tech titans, which are the subjects of the hottest rhetoric.
'War': Rival law firms Cathcarts and Sons and Taylor and Byrne, explained
Get to know the lawyers at the heart of "War."
New GTA 6 Age Rating Confirms Game Will Feature Sex Scenes
GTA 6 will have sex scenes, according to a new listing from international ratings boards.
Jim Carrey marries girlfriend Min Ah in Los Angeles
Jim Carrey has tied the knot with Min Ah, his girlfriend of several years, The Times confirms. This is the third marriage for the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' actor.
Arizona appeals court upholds rejection of Marana data center referenda
The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two has upheld the rejection of two referendum petitions challenging zoning approvals for a proposed Marana data center project, ruling that the petitions failed to meet Arizona’s strict legal requirements for referenda. The decision affirms an earlier Pima County Superior Court ruling and leaves the Marana Town Council’s January […]
Live Nation Launching Creator Nation Management Business
Creator Nation will be led by Scott and Alexis Fisher, and seek to acquire and grow creator management firms and adjacent businesses.
Three business groups to bid for building reservoir
The groups consist of firms based in countries including Italy, Spain, South Korea and England.
Gunvor publicly condemned Russia’s war but continued to do business with Russian energy firms, records show
Even as the trading giant publicly claimed to be winding down its Russia business, Gunvor privately acknowledged the deals to its bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, saying they complied with sanctions laws.
Senate confirms Keith Sonderling, a business ally, as labor secretary
The vote came shortly before senators planned to recess late Wednesday to campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Senate confirms Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary
Another Florida man has been confirmed to Donald Trump's Cabinet.
Wynonna Judd confirms she and sister Ashley Judd are on the outs
Country star Wynonna Judd has revealed, ahead of her new album release, that she and sister Ashley Judd are currently taking a break from their relationship.
When The Lease Outlasts The Business Model
At the same time that AI may change the business model for law firms, requiring fewer lawyers, they are leasing more office space
What Does Your Office Say About Your Business? by Jennifer Kraner
What does your space say about you and your business? More importantly, does it give you the best possible first impression? The minute a client, customer or patient walks through your door, they’re forming an opinion about your business – sometimes consciously, sometimes without even realizing it. Your space is communicating something about you, whether you intend it to or not. At Big Sky Design, we work with all kinds of commercial businesses, including many medical practices, law firms and other corporate offices, and I’ve seen first hand how much thoughtful design can influence that first impression. For businesses in medical, legal, and financial fields, three things are particularly important: trust, privacy and professionalism. Your space should communicate all three while also reflecting who you are as a business. That can be challenging, especially in a new construction project. Often, so much of the budget goes toward the actual construction that things like lighting, comfortable seating, artwork and finishing touches get pushed to the side. But those are often the elements that make a space feel complete – and memorable. Think about your waiting room. Is it comfortable? Is the lighting welcoming? Does the layout make sense? When someone walks through the door, do they immediately know where to go and whom to speak with? In a medical office, there’s another important consideration: privacy. Reception areas can become surprisingly noisy places, with phone calls, conversations between staff and patients, and people discussing personal information. Hard surfaces throughout a space allow sound to bounce around, making it difficult to maintain privacy. We recently worked with an eye doctor's office that had exactly this problem. The reception desk had a large opening, and staff were making and taking phone calls right next to patients who were waiting. We designed an acoustic treatment that acted as a divider between the staff and waiting areas. It absorbed sound, but it also became a branded design element. It was a visual reminder to everyone in the space to be mindful of their voices and what others might be able to hear. Those kinds of thoughtful details can make a tremendous difference. And good commercial design doesn't have to mean making your space flashy. Sometimes it’s as simple as a calming color palette, beautiful artwork, plants, carefully selected lighting or comfortable upholstered furniture. In a medical setting, those touches can help soften what might otherwise feel clinical and reduce anxiety for patients who are already nervous about an appointment. I’ve been in waiting rooms where everyone feels packed together, and you can hear every conversation – even what’s happening in the restroom next door. That’s not the experience you want to create. Your office should also feel like your business. Are you telling people that you’re clean and modern? Sophisticated and unique? Warm and welcoming? Or, unintentionally, are you telling them that your business is outdated? You don’t necessarily need a complete renovation to change that message. Fresh paint, updated lighting, new artwork, better seating or a few branded design elements can make a space feel current and intentional. At Big Sky Design, we’ve worked with radiology, dermatology, and dental practices, among many others. Every practice is different, but the goal is always the same: creating a space that reflects the business behind it and gives every person who walks through the door a positive first impression. Because your office is part of your brand. Make sure it’s telling the story you want people to hear. Read more at bigskydesignonline.com.
Pennsylvania confirms fifth measles-associated death as US outbreak grows
Cases have more than doubled since August as a dispute with federal health officials over the death count continues.
Live Science: Schoolhouse of Alexander the Great Recently Discovered
UNO professor Jeanne Reames confirms evidence of 2,400-year-old school in Greece.
Cyber Insurance Adoption Surges Among Mid-Market Businesses While Small Firms Lag Behind
Mid-market business cyber insurance purchases jumped 34 percentage points since 2024 even as small businesses remain stalled at 42% adoption, according to Nationwide survey.
How much Class A office space is available in the CBD?
This map shows the locations of Class A office space in the Des Moines Central Business District based on data provided by brokerage firms CBRE and Colliers. Click on a site to see how many spaces are available and the total square footage in each building. Graphic created by Kate Meyer with Flourish The Central…
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE:SPHR) Stock Has Consensus Price Target of $166.00 According to Analysts
Shares of Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE:SPHR - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fourteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given
Maine’s deluge of political ads is crowding out small businesses
The onslaught of political ads means less airtime for Maine's bakeries, car dealerships, shops, colleges, professional services firms and others looking to get their own messages out.
Is Harley-Davidson Done With King Of The Baggers?
Riders comments hint at a potential withdrawal Photos by Brian J. Nelson. Kyle Wyman mastered a soaked New Jersey Motorsports Park track on Sunday to win the final race of the 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers championship — but could this prove to be the last race for Harley-Davidson's factory Road Glide? [cuttext][/cuttext] Nothing in Harley-Davidson's own press release confirms a withdrawal outright, but the language coming from its factory riders reads with a distinct sense of fin
Orange County confirms first West Nile virus deaths of the year
The Orange County Health Care Agency said the deadly cases were "confirmed in older adults" this week.
Wood County Health Department confirms measles case; multiple possible exposure sites in Bowling Green
The individual was infectious while visiting several sites in Bowling Green on specific days and times, according to the health department.
UK business morale hits 17-month low, Lloyds says
British firms turned the least confident since April 2025 in September, according to a Lloyds survey on Wednesday that also showed executives' view of the global economic outlook darkened as the Iran war pushes up costs.
Financial Integrators, LattaHarris form strategic partnership
Des Moines-based Financial Integrators and Cedar Rapids-based LattaHarris have entered into a strategic partnership to provide more coordinated wealth management, tax, accounting and advisory services to business owners, families and individuals. The firms will remain independent while collaborating to expand access to specialized expertise and resources and enhance client service. Financial Integrators provides wealth management…
Premier League Confirms Manchester City Found ‘Guilty of All Charges’
The league confirmed its findings in a statement Tuesday.
Health tech's dealmaking boom is back as firms chase scale and profitable growth
Health tech and digital health merger and acquisition activity remains a major force in 2026, driven by strategic expansion and the race for competitive artificial intelligence capabilities. | Health tech and digital health M&A activity remains a major force in 2026, driven by strategic expansion and the race for competitive artificial intelligence capabilities.
Ezri Konsa Injury Update as Thomas Tuchel Confirms 'Minor Issue'
Ezri Konsa missed England training ahead of their Nations League meeting with Czechia, with Thomas Tuchel waiting on further checks before deciding his availability
Rummenigge confirms new leadership structure for FC Bayern campus
Bayern Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed a structural reorganisation at the Bayern campus, clarifying that sporting director Christoph Freund and campus director Jochen Sauer now hold complete operational authority over the club’s youth academy, and that Max Eberl will no longer have a say in their operations. Speaking on the executive hierarchy […]
Naughty Dog will fully reveal Intergalactic in 2027
Naughty Dog confirms new Last of Us projects are in early development…
Canadian Law Firms Anticipate More European Business as Ottawa, Brussels Explore EU 'Associate Membership'
Beneficiaries could include Stikeman Elliott, Osler, Fasken, McCarthy Tétrault, Blakes, Davies and Torys, along with global firms.
Bobby Kotick’s lawyers sent me a bad email (and later apologized)
The message I had received was unsettling—for a moment. Then it was just really confusing. Back on January 20 of this year, at 5:15pm ET, I received an email with the subject line “Legal Correspondence re Bobby Kotick.” It was from the law firm Clare Locke, a firm I’d heard had been emailing reporters in recent years about their coverage of Kotick, the former, longtime CEO of Activision Blizzard. The letter was threatening. A lawyer from the firm introduced themselves as “defamation counsel to Bobby Kotick.” They issued a “demand” that I “correct” a Game File article I’d published a week prior. The article that had irked them had been a scoop of sorts. I’d written about a a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Swedish pension fund, AP7, over Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The suit wasn’t news, but I was first to review and report about Kotick’s extensive pushback to the fund’s claims. The pension fund’s core contention was that the sale had been rushed by Kotick to avoid the consequences of sexual misconduct scandals swirling around the company in 2021. (He’d not been accused of misconduct himself in those suits, to be clear.) As I wrote at the time, Kotick had denied the allegations of the rushed sale. Beyond that, Kotick used a December 2025 reply to the Swedish fund’s lawsuit to assign blame for those workplace scandals, the bad press and even for the AP7 lawsuit. I’d found Kotick’s arguments novel and newsworthy. Across nearly 3,000 words, I explained Kotick’s take: that a Swedish gaming company was behind the Swedish fund’s lawsuit (the Embracer group; they denied it); that the Microsoft-Activision deal was not rushed and was secured at what Kotick felt history had proven to be an optimal price for shareholders; that he believed a conspiracy of people at unions government agencies, PR firms and the media had spun up claims of widespread workplace misconduct at Activision Blizzard in 2021. The article gave context for all of this, letting readers assess the claims and weigh their credibility. As I’d later write to Kotick’s lawyers: I would be surprised if you could point to any news article about Bobby Kotick in the last five years that has spent more of its wordcount articulating his point of view. He is welcome to do an interview with Game File any time. Nonetheless, there they were in my inbox that Tuesday evening: Clare Locke, the law firm that secured a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News over false statements about voting machines. They were emailing me, threatening that failure to comply with their demand could support a claim of “actual malice,” a legal standard for libel. Unless… Unless, they said, I added a key paragraph to my article. This was a paragraph that I already knew Kotick’s lawyers had been emailing reporters about for at least a year, and it was a paragraph that was already in my article. The paragraph they wanted is from a 2023 settlement that California’s Civil Rights Department struck with Activision Blizzard. The settlement had closed a two-year-old lawsuit over alleged sexual discrimination at the game maker. The paragraph basically said that claims of systemic or widespread sexual harassment—or of execs like Kotick tolerating such behavior—had never been proven. I’d already seen proof that Kotick’s lawyers had pushed for the settlement’s language to be added to reports about 2021 sexual discrimination and misconduct lawsuits brought against Activision Blizzard by California and, separately, by the U.S. federal government (both suits were since settled). I knew that Kotick and his lawyers felt that the California settlement language should be mentioned in the same breath as references to an article he hated and denied, a November 2021 Wall Street Journal article claiming Kotick knew “for years” of sexual misconduct at Activision Blizzard. So, in the Game File article that Clare Locke emailed me about, in the interest of ensuring I was being fair and balanced regarding the person I was covering, I had already included the following excerpt from the California settlement [emphasis added in bold]: (Kotick has repeatedly pushed back against that November article in the Wall Street Journal, citing among other things, language from a court-approved consent decree as part of Activision’s 2023 $54 million settlement over the California suit. It states: “no court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations that: there has been systemic or widespread sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard [or] that Activision Blizzard senior executives ignored, condoned, or tolerated a culture of systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination.”) On the evening of January 20, I was incredulous. How do you write a four page legal threat about a week-old article and miss this? While scrambling to also make my kids dinner, I wrote a lengthy reply to Clare Locke’s lawyers, basically asking them to cool it with the threats and to start making sense. In part, I wrote: I hope you can understand why I am having trouble understanding what you’re asking for, when the statement you’re demanding to see in Game File’s article already appears in Game File’s article. Actual malice, as you know, refers to a reckless disregard for the truth. I’m not sure what your argument is when my article already states your client’s position. Here is where I should remind you, the reader, that I am an independent journalist. I publish on Substack, and have availed myself of the Substack Defender program that provides writers on the platform with legal support. But I’m no Wall Street Journal or New York Times, nor even IGN or GameSpot when it comes to such things as, well, having a legal department. There are more fun things for me to do as an independent journalist than writing back to a powerful law firm representing a very rich person. On the evening of January 20th, I was just trying to cook some pasta, broccoli and chicken nuggets for hungry twins. Nevertheless, I wrote back to them. Two hours later, I got a reply. Summarizing: A lawyer for Clare Locke said they’d “reviewed an incomplete version” of my article and they “apologize for the confusion.” (My guess: Someone didn’t read past the piece’s paywall, even though they’d had a full week to scrounge up the funds to do so. What I’d published above the paywall was balanced, as was what came after.)1 That was almost that, but something about the situation bothered me. The letter had been marked “confidential.” I hadn’t agreed to that, and I disliked the idea that powerful people on the beat that I cover would act like they could unilaterally control what I might tell my readers about. On the morning of the 21st, having already gotten the powerful law firm to back off, I oh-so-wisely re-approached them with just one more thing. I thanked them for clearing things up the night before but noted that I’d never agreed to keep their letter confidential. I’m all for agreeing with a source to keep things off the record, but that’s the thing. We have to agree. You can’t just declare it. I’m not bound by that. I wrote to Clare Locke’s lawyer and said, in part: I trust the matter is resolved. It was disappointing to have to spend less time with my kids last night in order to address your legal letter. Family time’s precious. I will add, for clarity’s sake, that, while your letter stipulated that it was confidential, I did not agree to those terms. In the future, should you wish to communicate with me confidentially, I am happy to agree to classifying our communication as “off the record” prior to the actual communication—as is standard with any professional journalist. The firm’s lawyer replied, not directly addressing the confidentiality issue but asserting that the matter was resolved. Why I didn’t write about this until now In May, I told this story on an episode of Simon Parkin’s podcast My Perfect Console, but I held off on sharing it directly with Game File readers. I held off to avoid stepping on the toes of another reporter, the journalist Mikhail Klimentov. He’d interviewed me in the spring of 2025 about an investigation he was working on regarding Bobby Kotick lawyers pressing the media to add the California settlement language to stories referencing the 2021 lawsuits. And about how some outlets had changed their stories and how some simply deleted them. Initially, I was a third-party source for Klimentov’s reporting, providing on-the-record context about the state of the games media. I’d heard about the letters but hadn’t put the time into pursuing the story. I thought it was interesting, and I was glad he was covering it. When the outlet that Klimentov was going to run his reporting in dropped the story, I began talking to him about potentially publishing his reporting on Game File. This was tentative. Then, in January, when I got my own Clare Locke letter, I told Klimentov that I didn’t think it would make sense for me to publish him, not with me now being part of the story. I had my own version of this situation to tell. But I wished him well and said I’d refrain from telling my tale until he could get his reporting out there. Last Friday, Klimentov finally ran his investigation, in a nearly 48-minute video report for People Make Games. It covers various Clare Locke letters, how media outlets reacted to them and what to make of all this. His video weighs the merits of Kotick’s request and looks at some of the articles that were changed (one of which had a glaring error). I highly recommend watching it: (Note, I did some editorial consulting for a People Make Games video last year but nothing to do with this report.) While many outlets haven’t left any public evidence that they updated their Kotick coverage at Kotick’s counsel’s request, at least one has. Back in October 2025, the mainstream outlet Reuters applied the most transparent article update I’ve seen. On the 3rd of the month, they published an article about the state of the Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit. Days later, they added this: In an October 7 letter sent after publication of this article, Kotick’s defamation counsel disputed claims of widespread harassment at Activision. “Not a single investigation, court finding, verdict, or ruling ever concluded that there was any merit” to the allegations of widespread harassment at Activision, Tom Clare and Nick Brechbill of Clare Locke wrote. I’ve never added a statement to my article on Game File, because none was needed. Not for fairness’ sake, nor to meet any demands of Kotick’s lawyers. I’ve nevertheless wanted to be transparent with Game File readers. If someone powerful is questioning my reporting, is threatening a lawsuit over it… if that threat is part of a pattern involving other games media outlets and if, in my case, the whole thing ran into a ridiculous ditch, I want you to know about it. I also share this as a real example of how I handle threats to Game File. I stand up for my own reporting, even when it’s not comfortable to do so. (In that same category of standing up for the work I do, I’ll point to an incident in late August. Asocial media post I published to X/Twitter regarding reporting I did about Take Two and GTA VI was hit by bogus copyright claim by a firm working for the publisher. I pushed back and got it reversed; even while a bigger games media outlet let themselves be censored. This is the other reason I’m sharing this story: To emphasize that dealing with threats from powerful people is one of the costs of covering the video game industry independently and as fearlessly as possible. This is where you come in. Your support, through free and paid subscriptions (sign up here!), can help me keep doing that. It can ensure that I’ve got the back-up I need. And it can help make fiascoes like this even less of a worry, so I can spend my evenings dealing with more important things, such as making sure I steam the kids’ broccoli just right. 1 That pension fund lawsuit I wrote about in January has all but gone away. In May, the fund and Activision Blizzard owner Microsoft agreed to settle. Lawyers for the fund brokered a $250 million settlement for former Activision Blizzard shareholders. In the settlement, the fund’s lawyers changed their rhetoric. Where once they’d questioned the meaning of the California settlement language, they adopted a version of it for themselves. Several weeks ago, while seeking to get a court to sign off on the terms of the settlement, they proposed their fee for their work in the case: $60 million.
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A legal feud unfolding in New York is putting a spotlight on the work of a business development veteran who is credited for pioneering one of biopharma’s hottest dealmaking mechanism: the China “NewCo” model. In a lawsuit originally filed in New York state court and recently moved to federal court, China’s Lepu Medical Technology has alleged that biopharma business development consultant Su Zhang, who was hired to help shop its GLP-1 weight-loss candidates to Western partners, engaged in corporate double-dealing and trade secret leaks. According to the complaint, while acting as Lepu’s primary dealmaking liaison for a group of obesity and metabolic disease drug candidates, Zhang was secretly double-dipping as the acting chief business officer for a direct competitor, BrightGene Pharmaceutical. “She never adequately disclosed the role, never sought Lepu’s consent, and never proposed any safeguard,” Lepu alleged in its complaint, which was filed in July after Zhang’s consulting firm, CoDevCo, sought certain transaction-based success fees from its angry customer through an arbitration process in Singapore. Lepu, the parent company of Lepu Biopharma, has asked Zhang to pay back its $500,000 retainer and disgorge all benefits she received during the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, plus other damages and relief. The company has also requested the court grant injunctions to protect Lepu’s trade secrets. The ill-fated partnership officially kicked off in December 2024, when Lepu tapped CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism” to identify collaborators for the company’s drug candidates. According to Lepu’s complaint, Zhang personally negotiated and signed the agreement as managing director for CoDevCo, which used her home address. Before the Lepu deal, Zhang made a name following a short stint as the global head of business development for Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. It was during her tenure that Hengrui signed a landmark deal granting exclusive rights for a portfolio of GLP-1 assets to Hercules, which was at that time newly established by a group of private equity and venture capital firms. In addition to the regular upfront and milestone payments, Hengrui also gained an equity stake in Hercules, which later became Kailera Therapeutics. The Hengrui-Hercules deal opened a new paradigm, where a Chinese biopharma company spins off certain early-stage assets to investors for further development through the creation of a new company abroad. The “NewCo” model quickly came into vogue as it allows Western investors to access high-potential assets originating from China at an early stage while giving the Chinese licensors an opportunity to reap long-term benefits through equity stakes in the new firms. The NewCo model proved its value when Kailera staged a record-breaking $625 million IPO on Nasdaq this April, merely two years into the Hengrui deal. Related Kailera CEO 'knew we were in a good spot' before obesity biotech's record-breaking $625M IPO On her LinkedIn page, Zhang described her work at Hengrui as “[b]uilding team and capability from the ground up,” forming NewCo and major pharma partnerships worth billions of dollars. Lepu clearly wanted that kind of track record to help boost its own cardiometabolic portfolio, which includes a range of assets for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and muscle preservation during weight loss treatment. “Lepu’s pipeline is very valuable, but only if Lepu could secure the right international partner to expand into the overseas market during the available commercial window,” the company argued in its complaint. The Chinese biotech said it had little knowledge of U.S. laws, customs or business practices in the business development field, and therefore “needed to rely entirely” on the expertise of Zhang and her team as the firm’s first engagement of a U.S.-based BD consultant. “Zhang’s dominating influence on the business development strategy is further evidenced by the fact that she personally controlled the business-development communications on behalf of Lepu with potential partners,” Lepu said in its complaint. After entering the deal, Zhang introduced Lepu to her four associates. According to Lepu’s version of events, all of them were allegedly employed at different time points to perform similar jobs at other Chinese companies that Lepu described as its competitors, while having access to Lepu’s confidential information. As such, Lepu described Zhang’s team as “a roster of individuals whose primary professional loyalty, by virtue of their concurrent full-time employment, ran to Lepu’s competitors.” As well as the specific examples set out in the case, a look at Lepu’s deals over the period suggests Zhang may have been involved in at least one transaction. During their partnership, Lepu, through its subsidiary Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, also out-licensed its GLP-1/GIP/FGF21 agonist MWN105 to a NewCo called Sidera Bio in the fall of 2025. The deal included an upfront and near-term payment of $35 million, up to $1.01 billion in milestones, and a 9.99% stake in the Danish startup. It seems likely that Zhang facilitated the Minwei deal given that Lepu is on record as having used CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism.” The big shock for Lepu came in the form of a news article on June 25, 2025. The article, reporting on phase 2 data for BrightGene’s GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist BGM0504, identified Zhang as acting chief business officer of the Lepu rival. Blindsided by her association with BrightGene, Lepu confronted Zhang in July 2025. “Lepu was given assurances that there was nothing to be concerned about and told that Zhang would explain the matter to Lepu,” Lepu alleged in its complaint. “Zhang never did.” Lepu claimed that Zhang had the motive and opportunity to steer potential prospective partners toward BrightGene or other competitors. Later, in February 2026, one of Zhang’s associates joined BrightGene as the vice president for global business development, according to the complaint. Around the same time, Lepu sent written demand letters asking Zhang to account for her BrightGene role, identify what confidential data were shared with the rival firm, and provide any conflict-of-interest or firewall policies during the engagement. According to Lepu, neither CoDevCo nor Zhang answered the questions in their responses. Related Novo vs. KBP: How a $1.3B deal turned into a fraud accusation and an international legal fight In a motion to dismiss filed with the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York on Sept. 4, Zhang’s legal team argued that Lepu’s agreement was signed with CoDevCo, and that an employee of the contractor does not owe fiduciary duties to the client. In its complaint, Lepu said: “That CoDevCo was the contracting entity does not insulate Zhang from personal liability for duties she personally undertook and personally breached.” Taking the argument one step further, the defending party argued that the consulting agreement “does not create a fiduciary relationship even between CoDevCo and Lepu; instead, it identifies CoDevCo as an independent contractor retained to market Lepu’s business to potential western partners.” Although CoDevCo was Lepu’s exclusive business-development contractor, there were no terms stipulating that the consulting firm should serve only Lepu, Zhang’s lawyer noted. As to Lepu’s claims that Zhang misappropriated trade secrets, the defendant argued that Lepu authorized the use of the information so Zhang’s team could perform their service per the agreement. In a rebuttal filed on Sept. 11, Lepu’s lawyer set out why they believe the Chinese biotech satisfied New York law’s misappropriation definition by alleging that the defendant used a trade secret “in breach of a duty or through improper means.” As an alternative to dismissing the suit, the defendant suggested the action should be stayed pending outcomes from the arbitration of a separate case in Singapore. While NewCo pioneer Zhang is defending her business arrangements, momentum behind the NewCo trend has continued unabated into 2026. Through August, Chinese biotech assets have spurred 15 NewCo deals this year, according to local trade publication PharmaDJ.