Search headlines

🥐 Vinicius punishment, Champions League hangover: Thursday’s 5️⃣ stories

Real Madrid experienced a day of mixed fortunes. They staged an epic Champions League comeback against Roma after trailing 3-1 in the 82nd minute, inspired by late substitutions. However, their joy wa...

Oct 15 • 2:52 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays brings music, culture and community together on Oct. 17

The spirit of community continues to thrive in Lahaina as Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays returns on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lahaina United Methodist Church. The free, family-friendly gathering invites residents and visitors to spend the day enjoying Hawaiian culture, live music, hands-on activities, and opportunities to reconnect with friends, neighbors, and the greater Lahaina community.

Oct 15 • 12:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • mauinow.com

Dodgers player slams ‘soft porn’ ads during MLB postseason games

The Sydney Sweeney Novig ad has gone viral for the “creative” way it uses her fame and beauty to advertise a brand new gambling platform. But at least one Dodgers player isn’t happy that the ad, and others like it, are impacting families trying to enjoy the MLB postseason. Dodgers outfielder Alex Call replied to…

Oct 14 • 8:30 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

McKinney campaigning for US House, District 4

"It's an absolute joy talking to residents in the district while on the campaign trail," said Amanda McKinney.

Oct 14 • 5:30 PM EDT • Politics • wenatcheeworld.com

Hazle Township Early Learning Center enjoy science program

On Oct. 5, second-grade students at the Hazle Township Early Learning Center participated in a Title I federally funded parent engagement program, Joe Romano’s Is it Magic or Science? This event was organized to promote literacy within s…

Oct 14 • 12:53 PM EDT • Science • standardspeaker.com

Meghan Markle enjoys London lunch date close to her and Prince Harry's former royal home

Meghan Markle was spotted out in London on a lunch date the day before her and Prince Harry's joint visit to Nottingham, a place that holds special significance for the couple.

Oct 14 • 12:23 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Busy Fall

We have a busy fall ahead of us—and that’s always good news. We like to stay busy. We’re working on two special annual publications: the CNY Business Guide and the CNY Winter Guide. Both publications are designed to reach specific audiences in the community. We’re excited about these new editions and would like to share a few details about them. Let’s begin with the Winter Guide. Winter can be challenging, but it also offers plenty to celebrate. The new CNY Winter Guide will help readers embrace the season and make it more fun and enjoyable. This year’s annual publication will feature an extensive calendar of events, compelling stories, and curated lists of things to do and see throughout the winter. This will be our 31st annual issue. It is one of the few publications—if not the only one—devoted exclusively to winter in Central New York. For advertisers, it offers a valuable opportunity to reach readers across the region. As we tell prospective advertisers, one ad works for them all season long. Rates start in the low $200s. The guide will be available at hundreds of high-traffic locations, including all Wegmans stores and select Price Chopper and Tops Friendly Markets locations. It will also be available online, with every ad hyperlinked so readers can click directly through to the advertiser’s website or Facebook page. Our network of drivers will also deliver the guide to hundreds of high-traffic locations several times throughout the winter. The publication will be out by Thanksgiving. The CNY Business Guide is a one-of-a-kind publication that many readers use as a reference. Unlike the books of lists published by business journals across the country, it comes in a glossy, full-color magazine format. It also ranks employers in four counties, with a particular emphasis on Oswego and Onondaga and substantial information about Cayuga and Jefferson. It is an ambitious project that requires extensive research, phone calls, careful fact-checking, writing and design. In short, it takes a great deal of work—and we’re glad to take on the challenge. The guide is widely distributed to business and professional readers throughout Central New York. The Business Guide gives companies an excellent opportunity to highlight their growth and expansion, showcase new products, and share other noteworthy developments. For readers, it provides a valuable snapshot of companies across the region, including what they do and who leads them. The guide will be published in early December. We invite companies to advertise in both publications. Advertising costs are relatively low, and each guide offers access to a broad audience across Central New York. Wagner Dotto is the editor and publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine.

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

HOW I GOT STARTED: Jim Brooker

Owner of Starlight MFG Solutions in Fulton was vice president at Otis Technology in Phoenix — until the company closed locally. He then decided to open his own shop. “We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far,” he says By Stefan Yablonski Q: When did you start this business” A: I started Starlight MFG Solutions LLC while I was working at another government contractor. I was vice president of engineering at Otis Technology at their Phoenix location until they closed that facility due to a shift in business at the end of 2023. While at Otis, I was also working on Starlight on a part-time basis. I gained a lot of exposure to a lot of different equipment. That is the kind of service we provided to Otis when we were a part of them. Now we have spun that whole concept off here. Q: How would you describe it? A: It’s a manufacturing engineering firm specializing in custom automation to serve as an outsourced engineering support for companies that need additional resources. I want to make it a sustainable business that can partner with local manufacturers to help them. Q: What is your background; did you go to college with this in mind? A: I am a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. My B.S. from RIT was in manufacturing engineering technology and my MS from RIT was in manufacturing and mechanical systems integration with a minor in business. Q: Why this type of business? A: I identified a large gap in the market for companies that needed small to medium help with manufacturing projects. Q: What services do you offer? A: We are focusing more on manufacturing. We do a lot of robotics, we do laser marking, we do filling — pretty much anything that the customer needs. Q: Have you seen any growth since you started? A: Yes. We have been growing ever since the company started. Our specialties include robotics, vision inspection and guidance, rotary-indexing workcells, dispense systems, laser marking, machine tending and more. We provide support to companies that need additional resources. We moved to a facility in Fulton about a year and a half ago. We are leasing our space in Fulton — the former NET & Die facility. We bought our own equipment, we are leasing the space. We have been operating here since early 2024. Q: You’re ready to take on bigger jobs? A: We want to stay in the small to medium size market where the large players don’t want to play. That is kind of where we found our niche. We are expanding regionally to take on more of those projects. My customers are relatively small business. They don’t have in-house automation; engineering and development teams are not feasible. Q: Business has been doing well? A: I am pretty satisfied about where we are at. We are definitely growing year to year. We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far. We are self-sustaining. Q: How busy are you on any given day? A: How busy? That’s kind of relative. We average between three and five projects going on in the shop at any time. We have a backlog that is manageable. We have seen a great demand for laser marking. The work is very relationship-driven. Much of it is based on referrals from other customers. Q: So, you must have a pretty big staff? A: No. I have just one other full-time person, a colleague from Otis. I bring in other people as the projects dictate. I handle sales and the overall operation of the manufacturing processes. We use outside sources for some work. We aren’t afraid to take on the other jobs — but we are filling our niche pretty well. Q: Do you get tired? A: I don’t get tired, no not really. Before this I ran a facility in Phoenix for 12 years. I enjoy solving problems and that part of the job is still my favorite. I have a supportive family life at home that definitely helps a lot. I just love the challenge of it. Q: Do you still live in the area? A: Yes. I live in Phoenix, town of Lysander. Q: What is the biggest job you’ve done? A: We have done some that were pretty good size. I don’t want to get into dollar amounts, don’t want to share gross revenue. We try to use locally sourced components. It is just amazing the components you can find that are locally produced.

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

ON THE JOB: ‘Where Do You See Your Career or Business in 3 to 5 Years?’

“For the next three to five years, I am looking to grow Oswego County Opportunities’ support for the county’s economic development to fight poverty and take advantage of the major investments that are coming to the area.” — Kevin Dean, Executive director, Oswego County Opportunities, Fulton “I love what I’m doing. I’m trying to do this as long as they let me. It’s so exciting to walk the floors at the various factories, talk with community leaders and be part of the solutions to their business problems. As we do this work with manufacturers and community members, we are helping the next generation have these great jobs in skilled manufacturing. I’d like to have the same job title for years to come. I’ve watched the last five years with awe and it makes me proud and excited to be from Upstate New York. I want to keep being part of the conversation that, yes, we can do it in Upstate New York.” — Randy Wolken, President and CEO, Manufacturing Association of Central New York (MACNY) “I oversee the Rochester and Syracuse offices. We’re seeing continual growth as there are more and more job seekers and companies that are looking to fill positions as the economy grows. I’d like to have another Upstate New York office in our region to help promote people under me. I want to see that happen. With an increase in the job market, that is what the end goal is here for sure. We currently have offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany, among more than 300 worldwide.” — Briana Calabrese, Marketing director and vice president of finance & accounting and administrative & customer support, Robert Half Recruiters & Employment Agency, Syracuse “Hopefully, we’ll continue to grow by word of mouth. I just took over a couple of years ago. I was an employee for 27 years. Business is great and we’re up on sales from where we were last year and I’m hoping that continues to happen. I get an overwhelming response from people who say they want to support local businesses. It’s my objective when people walk out the door that they want to come back. In a small town like this, it’s crucial. I see myself in five years doing exactly what I’m doing now: sticking with it and trying to grow Fulton Screen Printing.” — Tim Stone, Owner, Fulton Screen Printing, Fulton “I am 85 years old and teach four fitness classes a week and swim four times a week. I hope to live to be 90 — if I can do that, I won’t complain. The older I get, the less afraid I am of dying. What I don’t want to do is get some sickness where I’m lingering and I’m in pain and it just goes on and on. I expect to be exercising as much as I can and I hope I will know when I need to back off to accommodate different problems I may have when I’m older. For a short time, I got up at 6 a.m. to jog for a half hour every morning. But I had to avoid dogs, so I quit jogging. I hope to be able to swim for life. When I swim for half an hour, whatever problems I have wash away. I will still be working in exercise in five years. I also write research articles. It challenges my mind. You have to challenge your mind and body and have some kind of goals and reasons to go on living. My wife died three and a half years ago, so I try to go out and do things, even though she’s no longer here.” — Fred Wilson. Certified personal trainer at Fitness After 50 and leader of senior fitness classes, Syracuse “I expect to continue working as a local financial adviser professional for the next several years. I really enjoy working with my clients and consider it a privilege to come to work every day, helping my clients reach their financial goals.” — Randy L. Zeigler, Certified financial planner practitioner, chartered financial consultant and private wealth adviser, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Oswego “I see myself doing something with young people. I want to open an after-school program as a safe space for high schoolers where they can get tutored, behavioral health, get something to eat. I want to do something with policy. I have thought of doing something with neurodivergent kids where kids can run some kind of business. I want to do anything with community like therapy and psychotherapy. I want to still be able to offer those services to people. At 55, I’m not sure how much I will do. I will see what happens after graduation from Keuka College.” — Della Joyce Smith, Master’s student, Syracuse “I think the core of the gym is in personal training. I don’t see that changing. People will still need a gym and personal training will stay. There may be some loss to AI as there is in just about every industry, but there’s always been the ability to go online and get a workout. I don’t think AI will cut into business any more than the internet has. I think the class structure is shifting. Large group classes might be fading away for a while. I see more people going to specialized classes like Pilates. I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe the traditional classes like boot camps started to fade away. It’s important to adapt. Maybe someday I’ll need to get some new kinds of classes. Everything tends to go in cycles.” — Ryan Vollmer, Certified personal trainer and owner Edge Strength and Conditioning, Syracuse “I have been growing my firm at 24% a year. In five years, we may be purchasing or building a new office building to accommodate the new growth. Right now, our focus is on growth and adding team members, mostly financial advisers and administrative staff.” — Terri Krueger, Chartered financial consultant and senior financial adviser with Orla Wealth Management in Syracuse “Over the next three to five years, I see TDO continuing to experience steady, sustainable growth as new industries establish and expand their presence across Central New York. These investments will create new opportunities throughout the regional manufacturing supply chain, and TDO will continue evolving our capabilities to help both existing manufacturers and emerging industries grow, compete, and succeed.” — Jim D’Agostino, CEO and executive director Central New York TDO (Train, Develop, Optimize), Liverpool

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

BUSINESS UPDATE: Port Perseveres Despite Tariffs’ Negative Impact

‘We are hanging tough ... in an environment that is incredibly difficult to do business in right now,” the port’s director says By Stefan Yablonski Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have hurt the Port of Oswego by slashing Canadian aluminum cargo volumes and reducing revenue. “We’re doing good. We are hanging tough. It is a tough time for our line of business in general, you know with these tariffs and the amount of Canadian aluminum that we see through our docks,” said the new executive director, Tom Drumm. “Compared to 2025, we are doing exceedingly well in traffic coming in; not necessarily the volumes we were seeing, but yeah we are hanging tough in an environment that is incredibly difficult to do business in right now.” “I don’t know where people get these numbers to be honest. We have never publicly stated how much our revenue is down or up or left to right. We don’t have a strong sense of those revenue numbers until the shipping season really closes up. We won’t have an accurate picture of the revenue standpoint until after the shipping season, typically in late November,” he added. “What I can tell you is several of our Canadian vessels that carry the aluminum cells — the volume of aluminum on those vessels we have seen decreasing. That is attributed to a few factors. One is where Novelis is in in their restart process. Novelis is rocking and rolling right now. They are starting to pull a lot of aluminum from the port of Oswego, the aluminum that they roll down into coils. “Another factor plainly is the tariffs. Canadian aluminum is tariffed at 50%. So, on those vessels we are seeing lower numbers than we would like. We’d like to see vessels carrying roughly 10,000 metric tons of aluminum. Over the course of this year, we have seen more in the range of 4,000 to 6,000. “Every piece of that aluminum that we receive here by vessel at the port is from Canada and is subsequently hit with the 50% tariff. It directly affects us because we’ve received less volume than we would traditionally see pre-tariff times.” When the port receives less aluminum from those vessels it means less hours for the ILA (International Longshoremen Association) as far as folks that work on the dock, he said. When cargo declines, it affects everyone, fewer hours for longshoremen, fewer loads for truck drivers, fewer rail shipments and less business for local suppliers. “Outside of the aluminum that comes in by vessel, the port topped out at having roughly 4,600 aluminum ingots stored on site at the port. That project had never been done before. The port of Oswego had never had that many of those size ingots in our yard,” he said. “It has been a busy summer for the ILA. Would we like to see more work for them? Sure. They are working all those barges when they come in, but as opposed to working 15 hours they might be working seven or eight hours. It hasn’t been a distinct decline in ILA hours. There has been plenty of work to keep our guys busy throughout the summer.” More salt “We just brought salt back to the port in several, several years. Around Harborfest time at one point we had a salt barge here with about 24,000 metric tons of rock salt and we had an aluminum barge here the same week. We had close to 40 men working,” he said. “Yeah, the other products definitely keep us busy. The salt project was a massive project, one that we are proud of. I’ve got 24,000 metric tons of salt on site that has to go somewhere — that’s going to be another project.” It is important for the port to continue to look at different products, different commodities to try to diversify some of its revenue, he said, adding, “We have done a pretty good job of that in my first five months here … particularly with the rock salt we have on site right now. It is important to continue to try to stand out and work through some projects outside our usual business. I enjoy it. It is a challenge every single day we put our head down and we try our best.”

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

BUSINESS UPDATE: Attracting World-Renowned Piercing Educators to Oswego

Growing number of renowed piercers are coming to Oswego to share knowledge at newly opened Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite Submited by Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique [caption id=attachment_11066 align=alignright width=450] Recent opening of Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite.[/caption] Professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland and India have come to Oswego’s Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique to share their knowledge In the past year and a half, the Port City has become a destination for some of the industry’s most respected educators through the efforts of the Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. Beginning in January of 2025, Aqua Spa Float Center envisioned a new version of body piercing, one where elegance, safety and personal expression could converge. According to the Aqua Spa, piercing is no longer just a trend — it’s a refined form of personal identity, luxury styling and self-investment. It’s not only about the jewelry — it’s about the entire experience. The team welcomed first guest piercer Ruben Triguero, a senior French piercer, piercing stylist and international educator, who has over two decades of experience and has worked in some of the world’s best studios, including Paris, Rome, New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Dubai. In those studios, he offered his expertise and refined styling skills. Triguero is a prominent figure and leader in the piercing community and shares his knowledge with piercers teaching classes for the industry’s most prestigious organizations, including Latinoamérica Body Piercing Association (LBP) and Association of Professional Piercers (APP). He is currently the senior international instructor of the APP. Triguero has a passion for creating stunning, personalized piercings for clients around the world. Education and Mentorship Following a year of success and popularity, Aqua Spa Float Center hosted the grand opening of its private dedicated piercing suite in March. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness celebrated this next chapter with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino, members of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and community members. The educational focus, aligned with Aqua Spa Float Center’s vision and mission, had already begun expanding beyond clients. Aqua Spa has hosted multiple workshops and continuing education opportunities for professional piercers, inviting studios from across the region to gain hands-on experience from internationally recognized instructors without the expense of traveling to national or international conferences. These educational events have welcomed nationally and internationally recognized professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland, India, and throughout the United States. Aqua Spa also continues to collaborate with talented regional and local professionals, creating opportunities for education and mentorship that benefit both industry peers and clients throughout Central New York. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique owners — Tammy Wilkinson and Terry LeRoi — have been deeply rooted in the piercing industry with over 30 years in business as LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery. Combining that experience with holistic wellness, self-care and self-expression is the new concept with the client Luxe Piercing Experience at the Aqua Spa Float Center. “At LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center, we’ve been fortunate to work with many of the world’s most respected piercers through our involvement with the Association of Professional Piercers and by attending conferences across North America and Europe,” said LeRoi, founder of LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and co-owner of Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. “Those experiences have shown us that education is what drives our industry forward. “Not every piercer or studio can travel to major conferences like the APP Conference in Las Vegas or APP Benelux in the Netherlands, so we’re committed to bringing that level of education here. Hosting internationally respected educators like Jef Saunders allows our clients to experience the highest standards of professional piercing while giving piercers throughout the Northeast the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the profession. That’s something we’re incredibly proud to offer our community.” When asked about the client experience, Wilkinson explained that education is at the heart of every appointment as well. “Our vision is to nurture and enhance wellness, balance and harmony through a multi-modality-centered facility, and we aspire to empower sustained, positive change, well-being and self-awareness; and educate to the benefits of natural health, holistic wellness and life balance,” Wilkison explains. “Piercing is no different. The piercing experience feels just as peaceful and rejuvenating as any other spa services. From the moment our clients arrive, they are in the very best hands with our kind and professional Wellness Ambassadors and experienced APP guest piercers.” Wilkinson also explained that piercing clients receive stellar care: every Luxe Piercing appointment includes a one-on-one private piercing in Aqua Spa’s dedicated piercing suite, their choice of custom jewellery by LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery, thorough after-care instructions and complementary check-up appointment, complementary whole-body red light therapy session in the Class II NovoTHOR medical device to promote healing, and access to many rejuvenating spa services. Piercing clients get 15% off during any event. According to Wilkinson, “Health and safety are always our highest priority when you come in for a piercing or jewelry installation. Before each appointment, all tools and jewelry are sterilized in a Statim autoclave, and every surface in the piercing room is carefully disinfected. During the procedure, your piercer will wear a mask and change gloves as needed to maintain a sterile environment. Once your piercing is complete, your piercer will go over detailed aftercare instructions with you. Following these steps is crucial to ensure proper healing before you leave our sanctuary.” As a part of the experience, guest piercers include a thorough anatomy review of the client’s desired piercing to ensure the new addition will work in harmony with the existing. “Our clients are enjoying building and creating ear curations with these international professionals. It’s a unique styling event and a chance to highlight self-expression,” Wilkinson said. Clients and piercers throughout the region are flocking to this piercing destination in Upstate New York. The Luxe Piercing Experience has welcomed clients and piercers alike from around the globe. Owners Wilkinson and LeRoi hope to continue the momentum with more educational seminars with industry experts to be a hub of knowledge and expertise. They hope to establish LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center as legacy businesses known for their lasting, positive impact on the piercing and holistic wellness industries.

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times

Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

This 1 Daily Exercise Will Bring More Joy Into Your Life — and Maybe Even Boost Longevity

In TODAY.com’s Expert Tip of the Day, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal reveals how you can prime your brain to experience more joy.

Oct 14 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • today.com

Helping students discover they belong in science

Students should believe science isn't something to fear, but something they can understand, question and genuinely enjoy.

Oct 14 • 6:00 AM EDT • Science • eschoolnews.com

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Is Forcing Red Wings’ Hand

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard continues to enjoy a stellar 2026-27 campaign in the season’s early going with another strong performance.Early in the second period on Tuesday night, as the Detroit Red Wings took on the New Jersey Devils, Brandsegg-Nygard notched his second goal of the season with assists from Emmitt Finnie and Alex DeBrincat.And it was one […] The post Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Is Forcing Red Wings’ Hand appeared first on HEAVY.

Oct 13 • 11:57 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Albany officials and business owners looking to revitalize Lark Street

Jazz, cycling and trivia are just a few things people enjoy doing on Lark Street in Albany. Tuesday night though, it was a conversation with police, housing officials and support services that got …

Oct 13 • 11:05 PM EDT • Business • news10.com

Guillermo Rodriguez claps back at “DWTS” judge Carrie Ann after harsh critique: ‘Did you just call me out?’

The “Jimmy Kimmel Live” star was not happy with her comment about his missing “joy.”

Oct 13 • 10:04 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

NYC Health + Hospitals Advances to Silver Recognition in the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program

NYC Health + Hospitals announced it has earned the Silver-level Joy in Medicine recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) for enhancing

Oct 13 • 4:29 PM EDT • Health • nychealthandhospitals.org

‘The View’: Joy Behar Shares Long-Awaited Health Update Via Whoopi Goldberg

The cohost has been missing for all of October so far.

Oct 13 • 11:28 AM EDT • Health • yahoo.com

Popular singer and TV host dies at 86: ‘Brought joy to generations’

She had several serious health issues in recent years.

Oct 13 • 5:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • pennlive.com

BTSC Monday Night Football thread: Bills at Rams

Enjoy the NFL’s final Week 5 game here at Behind the Steel Curtain.

Oct 12 • 8:00 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

SnakePit Post-season GDT, #12

A double-bill of championship series, so enjoy it. Might only be one more this year, on Thursday. We start off with the National League, where the Dodgers will seek to even the series after losing the opener 2-1 in Milwaukee. A good start for the Brewers, but things won’t be any easier for them today: […]

Oct 12 • 5:00 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

The joy – and science – of watching a leaf fall

We know people love to spend time watching leaves change color and taking in the autumn hues. And many can attest to spending time raking leaves to add to the compost pile. But who knew there is science in observing leaves falling to the earth?

Oct 12 • 4:09 PM EDT • Science • waterburyroundabout.org

‘Play On!’ hits all the right notes

The English Renaissance meets the Harlem Renaissance in “Play On!,” a sparkling show that marries a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night” with the music of Duke Ellington. Conceived by Sheldon Epps, who also directed the original 1996-97 production (first in San Diego, then on Broadway), the show is getting a marvelous revival under his direction to open Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 40th anniversary season.While the title “Play On!” refers to the famous quote about music being the food of love and thus to the dozens of Ellington songs—among them “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good),” “Solitude” and “I’m Beginning to See the Light”—incorporated into the plot, one of the highlights for me is the clever way Cheryl L. West's book reworks the story. Apparently, it's also been updated for this outing, among other things to give the women more agency. In the big opening number (there's a six-piece, horn-heavy onstage band), aspiring songwriter Vy (Hailee Kaleem Wright) is the one to “Take the 'A' Train” to “Drop Me Off in Harlem.” She wants to meet the famous Duke (Edred Utomi) — Ellington, not Orsino, that is — and she seeks the help of Jester (an engaging James Harkness) to find out how. When Jester tells her in no uncertain terms that the music industry is a man's world, she disguises herself as Vy-Man and persuades the Duke to listen to one of her songs. He's suffering from a creative block because he's pining for Lady Liv (Krystal Joy Brown), queen of the Cotton Club, and convinces Vy-Man to bring the Lady the song as if the Duke had written it, promising to reward her with employment. Vy reluctantly complies, and the predictable complications ensue. Lady Liv is attracted to Vy-Man, while Vy is attracted to the Duke and he to Vy, though it disturbs him because he thinks she's a man. The fallout when the deception comes to light bodes ill—at least for a while.Here's where West's book cannily diverges from Shakespeare. Vy's twin brother Sebastian really is dead, so West devises another love interest for Lady Liv basically by rehabilitating the Malvolio character, here named Rev (Alan H. Green), the Lady's uptight, self-important manager. His unrequited love for her is magically transformed after he gets his comeuppance (minus the torture) from Miss Mary (Alanna Lovely), her honey Sweets (James Earl Jones II) and Jester, the stand-in for Sir Toby, who has romantic problems of his own with a woman named CC (Kaylah Janssen). In other words, Rev gets the girl — and also a show-stopping yellow zoot suit from costume designer An-Lin Dauber. All the costumes are dandy, though those for the men have more pizzazz than the women's day dresses. The bilevel, slanted scenic design by Beowulf Boritt brings 1930s Harlem to life in a slightly expressionistic way with the help of Adam Honoré's lighting and Ray Nardelli's sound design. Edgar Godineaux's choreography adds to the period feel, though there could be even more of it.Most of all, the leads have splendid voices, and the performances are terrific. Green's Rev and Harkness's Jester get my vote for comedy chops, and Brown's Lady Liv probably will stay with me the longest for her complexity and big blues number, “I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues.”

Oct 12 • 3:30 PM EDT • Entertainment • hpherald.com

Open Thread For Monday Championship Series Games

We have two games today. Dodgers @ Brewers at 3:00 Eastern. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (14-9, 2.53) vs. Logan Henderson (11-3, 2.47). Go Brewers. Last night’s game was great. Very enjoyable baseball, with the right team winning. I’m going to miss the start of this one but will see most of it. Guardians @ Rays at 8:00 […]

Oct 12 • 2:55 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Unlike Sony, Nintendo Exec Says Switch 2 Maker Has No Plans To Abandon Physical: 'We Know How Much Fans Enjoy It'

Game key cards have helped the company bridge the divide

Oct 12 • 9:45 AM EDT • Technology • kotaku.com

For your health—making the switch to healthier fats

Choosing healthy fats is an important part of healthy eating. And that's good news for a lot of reasons. Fats can add flavor and great texture to foods, boosting our enjoyment. They can help us feel fuller ...

Oct 12 • 9:20 AM EDT • Health • medicalxpress.com

First Glance: The Citadel

Just enjoy a win where you can get it, I guess.

Oct 12 • 9:00 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Cat Looks So Much Like Anya Taylor-Joy That We Can't Unsee It

We can't unsee the resemblance...This cat looks so much like Anya Taylor-Joy!

Oct 11 • 10:20 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

Study finds positive parenting teaches children how to experience joy—and could lead to better mental health

More than one in five adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, according to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. And more than one in seven young people ages 6–17 experience ...

Oct 11 • 2:00 PM EDT • Health • medicalxpress.com

Milwaukee Brewers announce 2026 NLCS roster vs Los Angeles Dodgers

The Milwaukee Brewers have enjoyed several well-deserved days off after clinching a berth in the National League Championship Series by defeating the San Diego Padres 3-1 in their best-of-five series. Like last year, they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers for the chance to earn their first World Series appearance since 1982, and their first [...]

Oct 11 • 12:04 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Photos: Champions Square | Saints vs. Vikings

New Orleans Saints fans enjoyed the Week 5 entertainment in Champions Square ahead of the game against the Minnesota Vikings during the 2026 NFL season on Oct. 11, 2026.

Oct 11 • 8:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • neworleanssaints.com

Wisconsin Badgers 2026 football schedule: Is Wisconsin playing today?

Fresh off a 31-3 win over Michigan State, the Wisconsin Badgers are able to enjoy Saturday, Oct. 10 off.

Oct 10 • 6:01 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Saturday Pre-orders – Warhammer Tone Pro is here

Enjoy infinite painting possibilities with the new range of miniatures paints.

Oct 9 • 8:00 PM EDT • Technology • warhammer-community.com

“Newlyweds” showrunner fired before series premiere, calls series ‘the most joyous TV experience of my life’

Gail Lerner co-created the NBC sitcom, which stars Téa Leoni and Tim Daly, with Jamie Lee Curtis.

Oct 9 • 6:27 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

‘Newlyweds’ showrunner fired before series premiere, calls series ‘the most joyous TV experience of my life’

The co-creator of the new comedy ‘Newlyweds,’ which stars Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, and Jamie Lee Curtis, says she’s been fired ahead of its premiere.

Oct 9 • 6:27 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

Sting strips down, bashes through intimate Seattle show

Overblown drums blunted an otherwise joyous underplay from the English pop-rock giant.

Oct 9 • 2:30 PM EDT • Entertainment • yakimaherald.com

Chicago’s Divvy expansion deal hits a speed bump amid Lyft-Lime fight

The proposed contract extension would give Divvy a much larger territory where it enjoys priority over competitors, prompting Lime to warn that its Chicago business could be at risk.

Oct 9 • 2:28 PM EDT • Business • chicagobusiness.com

Monmouth Medical Center Honored by AMA for Commitment to Well-Being of Physicians

Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) has earned bronze level recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization. MMC joins fellow RWJBarnabas Health facility Community Medical Center, Toms River, in being named to the 2026-2027 list of Bronze-level hospitals and sister hospitals Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, who currently hold the Bronze level status.

Oct 9 • 9:11 AM EDT • Health • rwjbh.org

The Trevor Project Honors Zara Larsson with 2026 Mental Health Champion of the Year Award

The Grammy-nominated global pop star is recognized for her longstanding LGBTQ+ advocacy, allyship, and commitment to championing mental health, joy, belonging, and unapologetic self-expression.

Oct 9 • 9:00 AM EDT • Health • thetrevorproject.org

6 Outdoor Sports to Enjoy With Your Dog

Explore active vacations that let you paddle, surf, hike and ski alongside your pup

Oct 9 • 8:48 AM EDT • Sports • aarp.org

Finding Joy Again: Sarah Adam on Mental Health and High Performance

There is a familiar message in elite sport: Keep going.Push through the hard training. Push through fatigue. Push through doubt. Push through the pressure.For Sarah Adam — the first woman named to the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Team, a silver med...

Oct 9 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • teamusa.com

PC Shipments Drop 20.1% in Q3 2026, HP and Dell Hit Hardest

Worldwide PC shipments fell a steep 20.1% year over year in Q3 2026 to 62.7 million units, according to preliminary data from IDC, down from 78.5 million in the same quarter last year. It is the second straight quarterly decline, and a much deeper one than Q2, which IDC now lists as a 3.8% drop....

Oct 8 • 8:21 PM EDT • Technology • techpowerup.com

Justice weighs political future, talks Senate control

RAVENSWOOD – U.S. Sen. Jim Justice has enjoyed being in the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, but the November midterm election could see control flipped to the Democratic Party

Oct 8 • 3:51 PM EDT • Politics • journal-news.net

Joy Behar health update revealed alongside expected ‘View’ return date (exclusive)

EW has learned an update on Joy Behar’s health and when she’s expected to return to ‘The View’ after the cohost

Oct 8 • 2:10 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

'Dude! No way!' Mission teams jump for joy over Artemis II science results

996 new images, 814 GB of observations and 521 minutes of never-before-heard crew audio.

Oct 8 • 12:00 PM EDT • Science • space.com

The Battling Mind Striders is hosting their 2nd annual Mental Health Awareness Day on October 17 in Wellsville

Walk a mile with a great group and enjoy “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” all for better mental health From Jacob Witter, founder of the Battling Mind Striders On […]

Oct 8 • 8:21 AM EDT • Health • wellsvillesun.com

Le Mans’ Adil Bourabaa sustains injury

Adil Bourabaa (21) has enjoyed an explosive start to the season, culminating in a maiden call-up to the Algeria national team, however, he now looks set for a period on the sidelines, as per a report ...

Oct 8 • 6:20 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

CAPE celebrates 35 years of championing APIs in entertainment

The organization held a gala in Los Angeles honoring creators and entertainers from in front of and behind the camera.

Oct 7 • 4:48 PM EDT • Entertainment • joysauce.com

Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson react to ‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s claim his ‘joy’ is gone

Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson addressed ‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s surprising comment about his lack of ‘joy’ after his ‘Mariah Carey Night’ performance.

Oct 7 • 10:24 AM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

Spotify Camp Nou to host Pedro’s farewell following retirement announcement

FC Barcelona icon Pedro Rodriguez has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 39, bringing an end to a 20-year career. The former Barcelona forward, who enjoyed the most succ...

Oct 7 • 10:20 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Nick Lachey kicked off fall at Kings Island, says park's 'still got it'

A famous Cincinnati native, who previously worked at Kings Island, stopped by the park to enjoy fall festivities.

Oct 7 • 7:53 AM EDT • Entertainment • cincinnati.com

MLB postseason schedule: Final 4-game day of October

The San Diego Padres kept their season alive with a win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night in Game 3 of their National League Division Series, which means we have one more four-game schedule day this postseason to enjoy on Wednesday. Both NLDS can be decided on Wednesday in Games 4, with the Dodgers […]

Oct 7 • 7:31 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

The politics of being famous: When should celebrities speak up? The Commonwealth Times

A concert is supposed to be simple — people buy tickets, listen to music and spend a few hours enjoying themselves. Politics are not necessarily a part of the experience. However, for some of the biggest names in entertainment, separating a career from politics is becoming increasingly difficult.

Oct 7 • 7:00 AM EDT • Politics • commonwealthtimes.org

I need advice on being a better Tampa Bay sports fan

New quarterback, same problems as Bucs lose to Packers to fall to 0-4 | Oct. 5 Trying to be betterDear Tampa Bay fans, I need advice from people who understand the joy and occasional emotional damage of Tampa Bay sports.

Oct 7 • 5:15 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Why being scared can be fun, according to science

Why do people enjoy being scared? Psychiatry expert Dr. Arash Javanbakht says fear and excitement activate overlapping brain circuits, creating feelings of focus and energy. Horror movies and haunted houses

Oct 6 • 6:45 PM EDT • Science • fox21online.com

A Slice of Joy: In Conversation With 'Mystic Pizza' Performer Teisha Thomas

We caught up with powerhouse performer Teisha Thomas, who serves up heart, hits, and hospitality in 'Mystic Pizza' at the Ordway.

Oct 6 • 1:53 PM EDT • Entertainment • minnesotamonthly.com

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Already 'Enjoying Playing' With Ivica Zubac

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is already having fun playing with center Ivica Zubac.

Oct 6 • 12:04 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Students Use Forensic Science Skills in Escape Room

Hundreds of students from across the region put their problem-solving skills to the test this week during the Regional Science Consortium’s annual Forensic Science Escape Room. Elementary school students had just a few hours to figure out how someone died as part of a forensic science escape room activity. The Regional Science Consortium partnered with Mercyhurst University for the 10th year of the event, which is taking place at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. It began Monday and runs through Thursday.Throughout the week, more than 250 students are working to solve murder mysteries using real forensic science techniques. Students must analyze the evidence, piece together clues and solve the crime before time runs out.Organizers said the event gives students interested in pursuing forensic science in college a firsthand look at what a career in the field could entail.Sarah Skelton, Special Gifts Coordinator at Iroquois, said the activity provides students with an opportunity to develop skills that can sometimes be difficult to practice in a traditional classroom. "It really helps them to work in teams and on critical thinking skills. Which, not that they don't get these opportunities, but it's hard sometimes in the classroom to develop those higher-level thinking skills”, said Skelton.Students also get a chance to learn how forensic science is used in real-life investigations. As Skelton explained, "What are the real-life applications? What would you actually see in a crime scene? How would you handle these types of forensic investigations? So it's really cool our kids get to see what opportunities are out there and possibly a career field one day."The popular event has grown over the years, with some students returning year after year. Organizers said watching those students grow and develop their interests is one of the highlights of the program.Jeanette Schnars, the Executive Director of the Regional Science Consortium said it's rewarding to see how students' interests evolve as they get older. According to Schnars, "How they have grown and matured and where their interests are going and maybe they aren't going into forensics, but if they are going into sciences or different disciplines, so it's really fulfilling to see how they have matured."One student who continues to enjoy the event is sixth-grader Mia Harvey of Iroquois. Harvey hopes to pursue a career in medicine and says the forensic science activities are helping her explore her interests, "One day I want to become a neurologist, and learning about the bones is probably going to help me."Harvey said her favorite part of the event is the real-life application of what she's learning. "While you are trying to find the clues, they teach real stuff that you would need to know”, said Harvey.Event organizers said if students are learning while having fun, then the program is accomplishing its goal. "Not only are they learning the science, but they are having fun with it too”, said Schnars.Adults will also have a chance to take part in the experience this Saturday during an adult version of the escape room, which will feature food, drinks and entertainment. For more information, click here.The Forensic Science Escape Room has become one of the Regional Science Consortium’s most popular events, with teachers signing up their students as soon as registration opens in August.

Oct 6 • 10:34 AM EDT • Science • erienewsnow.com

Actor, 'restaurant kid' Ming-Na Wen reflects on the Asian American experience in 70 recipes

Ming-Na Wen's acting breakthrough was in the 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel “The Joy Luck Club.” | KCBS All News 106.9FM and 740AM

Oct 6 • 9:33 AM EDT • Entertainment • audacy.com

Actor, 'restaurant kid' Ming-Na Wen reflects on the Asian American experience in 70 recipes

Ming-Na Wen's acting breakthrough was in the 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel “The Joy Luck Club.” | NewsRadio 1080 KRLD

Oct 6 • 9:33 AM EDT • Entertainment • audacy.com

Xbox Elite Controller 3 Specs Leak Via Xbox's Own Design Lab

Xbox's long awaited Elite Controller 3 may finally offer drift-free joysticks.

Oct 6 • 5:38 AM EDT • Technology • engadget.com

Political orientation and institutional trust emerge as key factors in local wind energy support

Why does the expansion of wind energy sometimes meet with local resistance, even though renewable energy generally enjoys broad support? RIFS researcher Jörg Radtke used a representative survey of 6,284 ...

Oct 5 • 8:20 PM EDT • Politics • phys.org

BTSC Monday Night Football thread: Falcons at Saints

Enjoy the last game of the NFL’s Week 4 here at Behind the Steel Curtain.

Oct 5 • 8:00 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Reacts to Alex Ovechkin’s Retirement News

The Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin has enjoyed one of the most prolific NHL career’s of all time. Ovechkin has made his mark as one of the central figures of the modern game with a legacy that will be felt long after his playing days have concluded. Those days are coming soon as the Russian forward […] The post Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Reacts to Alex Ovechkin’s Retirement News appeared first on HEAVY.

Oct 5 • 6:38 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

The business of women's sports is booming—a viral bar that brings in $1M a year wants to take advantage

As women's sports enjoy record viewership, The Sports Bra — a Portland, Oregon, bar that only plays women's sports on TV — is rolling out national franchise plans.

Oct 5 • 1:24 PM EDT • Sports • cnbc.com

Kings HC Christie 'Really Enjoying' FA Signing Simmons

The Sacramento Kings are hoping free agent pickup Ben Simmons can get back to a semblance of his old self, while giving the team a much-needed boost on the defensive end. Head coach Doug Christie has been extremely positive regarding Simmons, calling him a "special" player.

Oct 5 • 1:02 PM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Nationalist, conservative parties enjoy a boost in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Oct 5 • 11:47 AM EDT • Politics • aljazeera.com

Tech billionaires are spending millions to reshape California’s Legislature

Tech billionaires funding PACs have enjoyed recent growth in personal and corporate wealth and are spending it to handpick the Legislature.

Oct 5 • 8:00 AM EDT • Politics • calmatters.org

Jobs in health care. Jobs for women. The US labour market is segmenting. Chernobyl’s radiation and Lenin’s love of literature.

Thank you for opening your Chartbook email. Elmer Bischoff, Two Figures at the Seashore, 1957 The only really dynamic job-creator in the US economy is health care: The largest crunch has come in Federal government, which has shed 2.7 m jobs. Source: tchouvkov on Twitter Tech is struggling. [ Joey Politano 🏳️‍🌈@JosephPolitano The US tech sector continues bleeding jobs in official data released today—overall, employment decreased by 17k last month and is down 69k over the last year That's nearly as bad as the worst of the 2024 tech-cession, and much worse than the 2022 boom or even pre-2020 norms 12:42 PM · Oct 2, 2026 · 15.2K Views 15 Replies · 47 Reposts · 390 Likes ](https://x.com/JosephPolitano/status/2106001807847940232?s=20) The new jobs are all for women. [ Justin Wolfers@JustinWolfers I'm not sure who saw this coming, but so far nearly all the jobs created during the second Trump administration have gone to women. 1:09 PM · Oct 2, 2026 · 33K Views 70 Replies · 146 Reposts · 644 Likes ](https://x.com/JustinWolfers/status/2106008723533533601?s=20) Meanwhile, real wages are being eaten up by modest over-target inflation. [ Heather Long@byHeatherLong The financial pain is real: Wage growth fell to 3% (y/y) in September. That's the lowest in 5 years. Wage growth: 3% Inflation: ~3.4% Inflation has eaten up all wage gains for the average worker since April. Many people are having to make hard choices about what to buy and what … 1:24 PM · Oct 2, 2026 · 37K Views 24 Replies · 275 Reposts · 533 Likes ](https://x.com/byHeatherLong/status/2106012367712620728?s=20) HEY READERS, THANK YOU for opening the Chartbook email. I hope it brightens your day. I enjoy putting out the newsletter, but tbh, what keeps this flow going is the generosity of those readers who clicked the subscription button. If you are persuaded to click, please consider the annual subscription of $60. It is both better value for you and a much better deal for me, as it involves only one credit card charge. Why feed the payments companies if we don’t have to. Subscribe Elmer Bischoff, Bathers, 1960 Americans are disillusioned with higher ed. For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe Where the Chernobyl radiation went. h/t Simon Kuestenmacher aka simongerman600 How Lenin’s love of literature shaped the Russian Revolution - Tariq Ali This, then, was the intellectual atmosphere in which Lenin came of age. His father, a highly cultured conservative, was the chief inspector of schools in his region and much respected as an educationalist. At home, Shakespeare, Goethe and Pushkin, among others, were read aloud on Sunday afternoons. It was impossible for the Ulyanov family – “Lenin” was a pseudonym adopted to outwit the tsarist secret police – to escape high culture. At high school, Lenin fell in love with Latin. His headteacher had high hopes that he might become a philologist and Latin scholar. History willed otherwise, but Lenin’s passion for Latin, and taste for the classics, never left him. He read Virgil, Ovid, Horace and Juvenal in the original, as well as Roman senatorial orations. He devoured Goethe during his two decades in exile, reading and rereading Faust many times. Lenin put his knowledge of the classics to good use in the time leading up to the October revolution of 1917. In April of that year, he broke with Russian social-democratic orthodoxy and, in a set of radical theses, called for a socialist revolution in Russia. A number of his own close comrades denounced him. In a sharp riposte, Lenin quoted Mephistopheles from Goethe’s masterwork: “Theory, my friend, is grey, but green is the eternal tree of life.” Source: The Guardian Elmer Bischoff, The River, 1953 If you’ve scrolled this far, you know you want to click: Subscribe

Oct 5 • 6:47 AM EDT • Health • adamtooze.substack.com

Sunderland Youngster Enjoys Major Career Milestone On International Duty

Sunderland striker Juan Riquelme Angulo scored his first senior Ecuador goal against Panama.

Oct 5 • 5:15 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

HEALTH AND FITNESS: Celebrate Walktober by going for a walk

Now that the extreme heat of our seemingly endless summer weather is behind us, being active outdoors is more enjoyable. October is a great time to get outdoors and go for a walk! That is the spirit of Walktober, an initiative adopted by health organizations, companies and communities around the globe.

Oct 5 • 5:00 AM EDT • Health • postandcourier.com

Teddy Bear Clinic at Kootenai Health

Kootenai Health is inviting children to bring in their favorite stuffed animal to receive "special check ups" and enjoy a variety of activities

Oct 4 • 11:00 PM EDT • Health • khq.com

Wonka's The Golden Ticket Needs Some Work, But There Are Three Things I Really Enjoyed

Lots of room for improvement, but a few things really worked.

Oct 4 • 9:05 AM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

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.

Oct 4 • 8:59 AM EDT • Health • fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com

Saudi Arabia to cancel Joy Awards, its answer to the Grammys, amid budget cuts, sources say

By Timour Azhari Oct 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is set to cancel next year's Joy Awards, its star-studded answer to the Oscars or the Grammys, as financial strain and the Iran war hit the country's nascent entertainment sector, two people with knowledg...

Oct 4 • 8:05 AM EDT • Entertainment • whbl.com

Is It Healthy to Eat Nuts Every Day? Yes, If You Avoid These 3 Things, Dietitians Say

Nuts are rich in healthy fats and plant protein. Here’s the healthiest way to enjoy nuts every day, according to dietitians.

Oct 4 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • today.com

Brockton seniors enjoy 1960s music and memories

Residents at Heights Crossing in Brockton enjoyed a 1960s themed party featuring live music and shared memories.

Oct 4 • 5:05 AM EDT • Entertainment • tauntongazette.com

Brockton seniors enjoy 1960s music and memories

Residents at Heights Crossing in Brockton enjoyed a 1960s themed party featuring live music and shared memories.

Oct 4 • 5:05 AM EDT • Entertainment • enterprisenews.com

Nobel laureate Eric Cornell: ‘Progress in science comes from asking new questions’

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eric Cornell says scientists should focus on doing good science and embrace the joy of discovery, and one day they may discover something new to everybody.

Oct 4 • 4:05 AM EDT • Science • e.vnexpress.net

I go to Mexico often: My favorite spot is easy to get to, near Cancún

I enjoy visiting Cancún, but I've been looking for a place that offers the same clear water with fewer crowds. I found it on an island, Isla Mujeres.

Oct 3 • 1:27 PM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com

Mt. Joy plays Madison for student mental health awareness

Mt. Joy performed for UW-Madison students on Thursday as a part of Future Friends, a campus-centric mental health nonprofit.

Oct 3 • 12:30 PM EDT • Health • captimes.com

Bye week open thread

Ah, the sweet relief of a stress-free Saturday watching college football. The No. 1 Texas Longhorns will head into the Cotton Bowl next weekend against the Oklahoma Sooners as the top-ranked team in both polls after the season’s only bye week affords the burnt orange and white faithful a chance to relax and enjoy the […]

Oct 3 • 10:07 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

She left Vegas to live on a ‘Blue Zone’ island where people live past 100 years old

In our roundup of travel stories this week: a hiking trail through the “Mountains of Heaven,” why Champagne is getting boozier, plus a woman who found joy by moving from Las Vegas to an Italian island.

Oct 3 • 7:00 AM EDT • Technology • cnn.com

Tyra Banks does not enjoy ‘Halloween: Resurrection’ 25 years later: ‘Not even a little bit’

Tyra Banks tells EW she does not look back fondly on making ‘Halloween: Resurrection’ nearly 25 years ago, adding that an agent wanted her to have ‘Halloween H20’ star Josh Hartnett’s career.

Oct 2 • 4:49 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

Tigerlily Foundation's Pajama Glam Empowers Girls and Families Through Health Literacy, Self-Advocacy and Connection

/PRNewswire/ -- What began with a young girl imagining a different kind of breast cancer gathering has grown into a joyful, multigenerational health and...

Oct 2 • 3:25 PM EDT • Health • prnewswire.com

Christian Science practitioner to present Oct. 11

Ann Kneeland, practitioner of Christian Science healing and international speaker, will present her talk, "Healing with joy: Discovering the power of Love," on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Oct 2 • 12:30 PM EDT • Science • goldmountaincanews.com

Brewers’ business side fueling success on and off field

The Brewers have enjoyed standout attendance, surging viewership and a rise in local media revenue, and while the on-field product has tons to do with that, the stage has been set by the success of the business side.

Oct 2 • 11:45 AM EDT • Business • sportsbusinessjournal.com

Miranda Lambert returns with country-disco album 'Crisco,' a set of songs that have 'a lot of joy'

Miranda Lambert has entered her disco era with her new album, “Crisco,” set to release Friday | KYW Newsradio

Oct 2 • 10:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • audacy.com

What happened to Joy Behar? Cohost misses 'The View' amid injury

Joy Behar was missing from "The View" this week, with the ABC talk show sharing a health update that the beloved host was recovering from a serious injury.

Oct 2 • 9:37 AM EDT • Entertainment • centraloregondaily.com

Enjoy Appalachian food favorites at the Valle Country Fair

VALLE CRUCIS — When outdoor festival season rolls around, one question inevitably comes up: “How many fair goodies shall we allow ourselves to consume?” At the Valle Country Fair, there’s

Oct 2 • 12:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • wataugademocrat.com