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Sarasota business owner turns construction wall into outdoor art gallery
WWSB ABC7 News at 6:30pm
Honeycutt, Riggs salvage their days at Lime Rock after final-stage crash
Kaden Honeycutt and Layne Riggs both clinched Chase spots, but their Saturday went sideways in a late restart at Lime Rock Park.
The First Test of Bar Harbor's New Entertainment Rules.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Bar Harbor Historical Society. BAR HARBOR—The Finback Alehouse was the first real test of the town’s new special amusement permit process, July 7 while eight other permits sailed through the process last week. The permit allows music in places where liquor is served. The town’s ordinance which was recently tweaked for a new process allows for the regulation of noise and hours of activity. The only discussion at the July Town Council meeting was about the Finback Alehouse on Cottage Street, in the heart of Bar Harbor’s downtown district. The Finback’s distinctive design—a front wall that is like a garage door that can be opened and closed—was a key to that discussion. The restaurant, which often hosts live bands, singers, and karaoke, at night, has had one substantiated noise complaint this season, which is documented on its application. According to Bar Harbor Police Chief David Kerns, most complaints about noise happen after 10 p.m., and if the Finback had two more violations within a year, they’d have to stop having music. One town councilor said that he’d have no problem reissuing the permit if the door was down. The permit passed through the process with no conditions. Vice Chair Earl Brechlin moved the motion with two time changes for two holiday weekend dates. It passed unanimously. The council asked the Finback why they’d chosen an indoor license with a wall that can be opened to the street. Dale Stockburger, representing the Finback, said he’d applied for an indoor permit rather than an outdoor structure or partial structure (which is usually applied to tents or pavilions). The restaurant has traditionally had an indoor license. Stockburger said that whether the door is open or closed is immaterial because he now stands outside with a decibel reader to make sure that the music isn’t too loud. OTHER SPECIAL AMUSEMENT PERMITS New Councilor Deborah Vickers worried that she had potential conflicts of interests on two other renewals due to the location of her employee housing. Vickers co-owns the Black Friar Inn. They have employee housing directly behind the Finback, which is also 300 yards from the Bar Harbor Inn, she explained. The Bar Harbor Inn also had a permit up for renewal. The councilors unanimously voted she did not have a conflict of interest. The councilors approved permits at The Bluenose Inn, 90 Eden St, Class A; Acadia Hotel Downtown, 20 Mount Desert St, Class A and C; the Bar Harbor Inn, 8 Newport Dr, Class A, B, C and D; C-Ray Lobster, 882 State Hwy 3, Class D; Holiday Inn Bar Harbor Regency, 123 Eden Street, Class B; Finback Alehouse, 30 Cottage St, Class B; Project Social, 278 Main St, Class C and D; Bar Harbor Beer Works, 119 Main St, Class B and D; and Mainely Meat BBQ Dreamwood Hill, 369 State Hwy 3, Class D. That process is laid out in the Special Amusement Ordinance of the Bar Harbor Town Code which is Chapter 14 of the town code. Special amusement permits have class codes. These are the meanings: Number - how many musicians are allowed by the permit. Class A - Indoor non-amplified entertainment. Class B - Indoor amplified entertainment or dancing. Class C - Outdoor non-amplified entertainment. Class D - Outdoor amplified entertainment. RESIDENCE LICENSES RENEWED AND A TAXI LICENSE The councilors also renewed the licenses for three specific sorts of residences that require that yearly renewal per the town code. The employee living quarters at Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, 119 Eden St and another at 278 Main Street were renewed. The shared accommodations license renewal at 39 Kebo Street also occurred. These are annual renewals. Bernard Taxi Services’ license was also renewed. This license had been added to the agenda at the meeting. Bar Harbor Update on Leaf and Grass Clipping Disposal BAR HARBOR — Bar Harbor residents will still have a place to throw away their leaf and grass clippings this summer. The town’s agreement with EMR in Southwest Harbor for disposing of those items will continue through November 30. The agreement, according to a town press release, will continue “while the Town continues evaluating long term composting solutions and the required state permitting process.” As of July 1, residents bringing their grass and leaves across the island to the facility in Southwest Harbor will have to fill out a property registration card. Each property can throw out up to 85 pounds of the grass and leaves. “Any disposal exceeding the 85 pound allowance during this period will be the responsibility of the property owner at the applicable disposal rate,” the press release explains. LINKS TO LEARN MORE Watch the meeting Meeting agenda QUICK NOTE: We’d released the Bar Harbor Leaf information as a brief, but wanted to make sure that people saw it, so we’ve included it here, too. HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment
Sarasota business owner turns construction wall into outdoor art gallery
A code enforcement complaint sparked a Sarasota business owner's idea to open his wall to local painters
ENTERTAINMENT: Mandolin legend set for Ozark Folk Center benefit
Mandolinist Sam Bush, a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and three-time Grammy Award winner, performs with his band as headliners of a 7 p.m. concert Saturday in the Ozark Highlands Theater.
What Smart Glasses Can (and Can't) Do: I Wore the Top Models So You Don't Have To
From AI assistants and built-in cameras to AR displays and wearable private screens, smart glasses come in more flavors than you might think. After testing every major type, here's how they differ—and which features actually matter.
America’s Homegrown-Parasite Problem
Scientists don’t know why cyclosporiasis, a tropical diarrheal disease, is spreading more and more from domestic sources.
Ryse: Son of Rome Is Now Just an Xbox One Memory, but in 2013 It Was Planned To Be an Era-Hopping Franchise To Rival Assassin’s Creed’s Global Ambition
Ryse: Son of Rome was originally planned to explore multiple eras, Assassin's Creed style, before critical and commercial failure sank Crytek and Xbox's ambition.
Opinion | ‘Platner Is Vile.’ McConnell Is Missing. Welcome to American Politics.
What America’s embarrassments have in common.
China targets Namibia’s oil, uranium and lithium in fresh strategic partnership
China and Namibia have signed agreements covering energy, critical minerals and infrastructure as Beijing strengthens ties with one of Africa’s fastest-growing resource economies
Virginia Climbs to No. 3 in CNBC's 2026 Top States for Business — Here's What Moved the Needle
Gov. Spanberger credits strategic investments and affordability gains, while a methodology change rewarding infrastructure does some of the heavy lifting.
What Delawareans should know about this diarrhea-causing parasite
Cyclosporiasis cases are rising across the U.S. Here's what Delawareans should know about the illness and how to help prevent infection.
These church members disagree on politics. Together they’re wiping out medical debt.
A politically diverse North Carolina church has united around forgiving medical debt, raising thousands of dollars to erase millions in unpaid medical bills and showing that helping neighbors can transcend partisan divides.
‘He goes a bit funny if you use his real name’: the unstoppable rise of Count Binface
Nigel Farage foresaw a summer stroll to glory when he forced a byelection – but now risks his career being trashed
Virginia climbs to third spot in CNBC ‘Top States for Business’ rankings
Gov. Spanberger touts legislative agenda and workforce development measures, along with years-long infrastructure projects as contributing factors.
Nebraska fans frustrated by changes in volleyball reseating at Bob Devaney Sports Center
Husker volleyball fans are voicing their frustration on social media over changes in the season ticket reseating process.
How abolishing the NIH would weaken American science
American science, disability service provider staffing and more, in readers' eyes.
DC ‘bottle bill': Costs, recycling and what worries a business owner
“Without a bottle bill, plastic containers are everywhere, and we have to make that trash valuable so that people redeem it,” D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said.
GTA 6 Preloading: Start Date And What To Know About Digital And Physical Copies
GTA 6 approaches.
What is cyclosporiasis? Symptoms, total cases, map and latest as parasite outbreaks reach 31 states
As state health officials scramble to find the source of the foodborne parasite, the CDC said Friday it’s unclear whether the outbreaks across the country are connected.
MAGA's attack on science is even worse than it looks
In my post on America’s 250-year anniversary, I argued that respect for the individual was the “secret sauce” in the U.S.’ long-lasting preeminence among nations. But it was certainly not the only factor. There were plenty of institutional innovations that helped the U.S. stay on top — economically, militarily, and in terms of the attractiveness of its society. One of these was American science. Today we take things like the modern research university, government grants for science, public-to-private research spinoffs, etc. for granted, but a lot of that infrastructure wasn’t there before World War 2. It was either invented or scaled up massively by the U.S. government in the postwar period, led by far-sighted scientist-bureaucrats like Vannevar Bush (pictured above). If you want to read about this history, a good place to start would be Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson’s excellent book Jump-Starting America. Those scientific institutions didn’t exist in a vacuum, however. They were backed by the U.S. government’s abiding faith in the power of science — and, even more fundamentally, by deep popular trust in the scientific enterprise. Science gave us radar and the atom bomb in wartime, and in peacetime it gave us plastics, vaccines, cheap food, and a thousand other things that made our lives easier. Science was also the driver behind American industry — chemicals, aerospace, telecommunications, computers, electronics, and so on. We owed science our jobs, our livelihoods, our comfortable living standards, and our greatness and power as a nation. It’s little wonder that both political parties, even as they fought viciously over other issues, were steadfast in their support of science. For a long time, the only people who distrusted science were a hippie fringe on the left who disliked modernity (or thought they did, anyway), who also disliked American industry and American power, and who subscribed to an early version of degrowth environmentalism. America’s scientific enterprise is still strong, especially compared to the systems in Europe, Japan, Korea, and other developed countries. It has lost a lot of ground to China in a relative sense, but a lot of that is because of China’s incredible growth; as China has poured untold amounts of money and talent into its research labs, spending and output have overtaken the U.S. by some measures. There are a few ways in which China’s rise creates problems for American science — for example, top scientists can choose to work in China instead of in the U.S. — and of course there’s the concern that China’s technological strength will help its military to reign supreme. But overall, China’s rise in science should be good for American science, since American scientists can use Chinese discoveries for free and build on them. The much bigger problem is that the scientific enterprise America built during and after World War 2 is now being threatened with absolute decline. The biggest problem, of course, is that much of the country — the Republican half — has basically lost faith in the scientific enterprise. To what degree this loss of faith is justified is an open question, and deserves to be discussed openly. But the larger point — that the system that powered American dominance is under threat — is true either way. Most Americans still trust science, but MAGA Republicans don’t There’s a myth, popular in right-wing circles, that scientists have lost the trust of regular Americans — either due to the increasingly left-wing composition of academic departments, or to misbehavior during Covid, or to DEI-related research taking over science, etc. This also fits with a wider narrative that Americans are losing trust in all of our institutions. But it just isn’t true. Poll after poll shows that on the whole, Americans still trust scientists and want to spend more on science. For example, here’s a Pew poll from late 2025 showing that although about a fifth of Republicans did lose confidence in science in 2020, two thirds still have at least “a fair amount” of confidence: That same poll found that scientists are among America’s most trusted groups — even better trusted than the military! In fact, Americans trust scientists more than people in most other countries do. Other polls show that although Republican trust in science has dropped somewhat, Republican support for spending more on science remains very strong: A Pew poll in 2023 found the exact same thing: So when MAGA types tell you about scientists losing their credibility, or a drop in trust in science, they’re only talking about themselves. Whatever left-wing politicization of science happened during the Biden administration — and there was definitely some of that — it was not enough to make most Republicans lose faith in the scientific enterprise, or favor research cuts in order to purge unwanted ideology from the system. That doesn’t mean I think progressives should continue down the path of politicizing scientific research. They should not, and Biden made real missteps in this area. Objectivity clearly matters for public trust of science in the long term. But as of right now, there’s no crisis of trust in science, except among the smallish minority of people who are running around screaming that there’s a crisis of trust in science. But despite science’s overwhelming popularity and public trust, Trump and his administration are launching an unprecedented and devastating attack on American science — cutting funding, and forcing science projects to undergo ideological review by government commissars. Trump’s comprehensive attack on science
What you need to know about the cyclosporiasis outbreak
A foodborne parasitic infection has health officials urging people and restaurants to take special care with food safety.
Meta Weighs Renting AI Compute as Cloud Business Takes Shape
Zuckerberg says strong demand for AI computing power could support cloud services and premium infrastructure deals.
The truth of the World Cup & KC business is complex, small-business advocate says
Some business owners say they haven’t struggled, but the World Cup hasn’t given them any drastic change in foot traffic.
IS YOUR BUSINESS SIGNAGE ADA COMPLIANT? A PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE FROM FASTSIGNS
Many business owners assume their signage is compliant simply because it looks professional. In reality, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets specific, measurable standards for text height, contrast, braille placement and mounting location, and that's why FASTSIGNS®, a global leader in custom sign and visual graphics solutions, has published a plain-language guide so business owners can quickly check whether their existing signage meets these requirements.
Political Candidates Have An Opening on Clean Energy
Democrats and Republicans have a once-in-a-generation opening to advance a clean energy agenda, writes David Kieve.
Trump seeks to limit funding that doesn't 'advance' presidential policies
Proposed in late May, the rule would give political appointees unprecedented control over federal grants for research, education and infrastructure.
Sarasota dance fitness business goes mega-viral with videos
From members to instructors to now owners, Stacey Iltis and Kari Schroeter constantly chase their why at Fly Dance Fitness: to spread the love.
Why we don’t know what food is spreading the parasite sickening thousands
There’s a lag between when people consume the parasite and when symptoms appear, making it tough for those infected to remember what they ate to pinpoint the problem.
Apollo gatecrashes easyJet sale with surprise £5.7bn takeover offer
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Taylor Frankie Paul reportedly filming again on ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’
Embattled reality star Taylor Frankie Paul reportedly back in front of the cameras for ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ four months after video surfaced of her throwing a chair at her boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Colorado tumbles to No. 25 in CNBC's business rankings
Colorado's biggest decline came in infrastructure as the state fell to No. 25.
What to know about 'explosive diarrhoea' parasite outbreak in US
The source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has spread across at least 17 states, is unclear.
Source of 'explosive diarrhea' illness remains mystery as cases rise
Michigan alone has reported more than 700 cases of the seasonal food poisoning parasite often linked to fresh produce. Why haven't we found the cause?
Nicolas Johnson, Son of Entertainment Attorney Matt Johnson, Dies at 28
The Morehouse College graduate was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Sherman Oaks on July 1.
Nicolas Johnson Dead: Son of Hollywood Attorney Matt Johnson Was 28
The Morehouse College graduate was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Sherman Oaks on July 1.
Hometown Entertainment: Things to do this weekend in the Roanoke Valley
Here’s everything happening in the Roanoke Valley this weekend — from bluegrass to glam metal
Republican Sen. Grassley probing FBI Director Patel’s travel and spending
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley has asked FBI Director Kash Patel to defend his use of FBI aircraft and purchase of BMWs in a letter obtained by CNN, an indication that the powerful Republican chairman is conducting his own oversight of Patel’s controversial spending of taxpayer dollars.
The biggest drag on Virginia’s business ranking is Trump
CNBC's business rankings showed Virginia's economy was still ailing from DOGE cuts, though it got high ratings for infrastructure and education.
Skip Valve’s Steam Machine: I Found 4 DIY Builds That Offer a Lot More for the Money
Valve released the Steam Machine at long last, but this tiny gaming PC costs more than expected, given its budget-grade parts. You can build a Steam Machine that's faster, even cheaper, or both.
Does cooking or vinegar kill Cyclospora? How to avoid the diarrhea-causing parasite, according to health officials
Keep these tips in mind as the parasite continues to spread this summer.
Meta’s Zuckerberg Says Exploring AI Cloud Business Makes Sense
Meta Platforms Inc. needs all the computing power it can get, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said, but in a market starved for resources necessary to run and develop artificial intelligence products he’s also considering whether some of Meta’s AI infrastructure could be more valuable if rented to outsiders.
RI falls to 48th in CNBC’s annual business friendliness rankings; Mass. is 15th
Rhode Island’s poor infrastructure was a key reason it dropped even lower on the TV network’s yearly list.
An outbreak of diarrhea caused by a parasite has hit at least 1,400 people. Here’s how to stay safe
It’s not clear what’s causing rising cases of cyclosporiasis, but cooking fruits and veggies and washing produce can help reduce your risk.
Office Politics: Five Things Coworkers Say And What They Mean
Your coworkers are not saying what they mean. These five office politics phrases reveal what is really happening beneath the surface before it costs you your career.
23 cases of 'explosive diarrhea' parasite in Louisiana, LDH reports. Here's what to know.
Here's what to know about the cyclosporas outbreak, including including case numbers, prevention tips and ongoing investigations.
Netflix's 'Little House' reboot is comfort TV with rose-colored views
The skies are spacious, the fields are amber waves of grass and grain.
Entertainment around the area
Alison Krauss & Union Station, whose latest album “Arcadia” arrived in 2025, lead the entertainment coming to local and regional venues over the next couple of weeks. The bluegrass/country act, kn...
Here Are Thursday’s Best Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: Align Technology, American Tower, Caesars Entertainment, Cohu, Five Below, Intuitive Surgical, Salesforce, Toast, and More
Pre-Market Stock Futures: Futures are trading mixed after another tough day across Wall Street, with all the major indices crushed early on, before the Nasdaq made a late-afternoon push to wind up just modestly higher at 25,870, up 0.20%. The S&P 500 also rallied in the afternoon, erasing a big deficit, to finish the session ... Here Are Thursday’s Best Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: Align Technology, American Tower, Caesars Entertainment, Cohu, Five Below, Intuitive Surgical, Salesforce, Toast, and More
Entertainment briefs | Humboldt Folklife Festival runs from July 18 to 25 in Blue Lake
July 24’s “Barn Dance” features Lyndsey Battle and Cidermill Stringband at Prasch Hall in Blue Lake, starting at 7 p.m. No experience is needed to attend. Purchase tickets at
The Plan To Make Climate Science Harder To Erase
As climate information disappears from federal websites, scientists are rebuilding it elsewhere.
UK populist leader's election gamble backfires as his only opponent is a trash can
A gamble by UK populist leader Nigel Farage to resign as MP and trigger a snap special election has resulted in a race where his only opponent is a trash can.
Georgia health officials warn of seasonal Cyclospora risk as parasite cases rise nationwide
The parasite that causes prolonged diarrhea is most common during Georgia's summer months. Here's what residents should know as cases climb across the U.S.
Willson Contreras injury overshadows Red Sox’ sixth straight win
EVERYTHING SUCKS AND WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!
Connecticut reports 23 cases of cyclosporiasis as health officials urge produce washing
Connecticut health officials are urging people to thoroughly wash fresh produce after the state reported 23 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 1. The parasitic illness spreads through eating contaminated food, according to doctors. The Connecticut Department of Public Health said it has not been able to determine whether the cases are concentrated in one area and is working to…
Teenager in hospital after car crashes into Chesterfield business
A teenager is in the hospital after a car crashed into a Chesterfield County business Wednesday evening.
Graham Platner drops his bid for Senate after facing an allegation of rape
Platner's campaign to unseat GOP Sen. Susan Collins in Maine was marked by repeated scandals. It came to a crashing halt after the allegation led top Democrats to withdraw their support.
Cyclosporiasis cases near 1,000 in Michigan, health officials say
Cases of a parasitic infection are nearing 1,000 in Michigan, according to local health officials.
Multistate outbreak of foodborne parasitic illness reaches Virginia and Maryland
An intestinal illness that can cause nausea and watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea that’s been reported in several states has reached Virginia and Maryland.
Health officials warn of parasitic intestinal illness outbreak
At least 32 Marylanders this year have come down with a parasitic intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis, the Maryland Department of Health said Wednesday.
Thai Tycoon Revamps Property Business To Unleash Growth
Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, son of liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, has been making moves to revamp the family’s real estate portfolio held by Singapore-listed Frasers Property.
Honda recalling more than 325,000 vehicles over potential crash risk
Honda is recalling 325,588 Odyssey vehicles from model year 2018-2020 over issues with rearview image displays, increasing the risk of a crash.
‘The Invite’: When Does Olivia Wilde’s New Comedy Hit Streaming?
Wilde directs a script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack and costars with Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Trump envoy warns China's power move at sea is threat 'we cannot afford to ignore'
US Ambassador to UK Warren Stephens warned that China is weaponizing port infrastructure and supply chains as tools of political coercion against nations.
Longtime friends and business partners thrive as architecture grad students
Setareh Farashzadeh and Yasaman Ghaffarian came to Penn State as close friends and established architects in pursuit of the history and theory behind their chosen field. Originally from Iran, the duo started their own practice after earning their bachelor’s degrees and jointly decided to expand their understanding of the built environment. Their interests and underlying friendship led them to the dual master of architecture and master of science in architecture program in the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School.
Google Home app update makes automation easier, improves cameras, more
The latest batch of Google Home app updates are now rolling out, including new “Suggested Automations” to make it easier...
Masked thieves crash U-Haul into building to rob Atlanta business, police say
Atlanta police are searching for three masked men accused of smashing a U-Haul truck into a building to rob from a local business.
International Business Machines (IBM) Unveils New AI Infrastructure, Is The Stock Fully Priced?
International Business Machines (IBM) stock has been in focus after a cluster of technology announcements, including quantum computing work on fusion energy, new z17 and LinuxONE 5 rack mount systems, and expanded cybersecurity partnerships. See our latest analysis for International Business Machines. Against this backdrop of quantum computing progress, new z17 and LinuxONE systems, and expanded cybersecurity partnerships, International Business Machines’ share price has moved sharply, with a...
Taylor Swift receives Emmy nomination days after getting married
The newlywed singer has been recognized for her Disney+ concert film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show.”
The curse of Donald Trump: where he goes, sporting defeat follows
The USMNT’s World Cup crashout is the latest episode to suggest the support and intervention of Donald J Trump brings bad luck
Cyclosporiasis in Maryland: MedStar Health reports latest case as summer infections rise
Cyclosporiasis, a food-borne illness that spreads when produce or water becomes contaminated with the cyclospora parasite, continues to spread in Maryland, according to health officials and local care networks.
Terri’s Treasures: Lapidary artist turns lifelong passion into business
Sarasota jeweler handles every step of the process, from raw stone to finished piece
Michigan Cyclosporiasis outbreak tops 700 cases as health officials search for source
More than 700 Michiganders have fallen ill with cyclosporiasis, a severe stomach bug linked to parasites found in food or water, and health officials warn the worst may not be over.
American Culture Is Warping British Politics
The power emanating from the country across the ocean has changed how Britons and their politicians view themselves. It’s embarrassing.
Hungary moves to overhaul university models banned from Horizon Europe
Hungary’s new government is aiming to overhaul the governance model of the institutions and universities that lost access to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ funds “in a short timeframe,” according to Péter Horváth, the new state secretary for science policy and innovation. “As of today, the two non-university foundation-controlled institutions under my remit have been transformed,” he told Science|Business. “We hope the universities will follow and that this will be enough to satisfy the EU’s demands.”Under the previous government, led by Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, many academic and scientific institutions were restructured and made into special public trust foundations, with members strongly linked to the government given lifelong mandates and significant decision-making powers with little oversight. The European Commission deemed that this undermined academic freedom and transparency in the country, leading to a ban on 34 institutions in 2022, including 21 universities, which saw academics in Hungary lose access to Horizon Europe grants. The new Hungarian government, elected in May and led by Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party, has promised to dismantle this governance model and restore the institutions to EU programmes. As a result, the European Commission has promised to return access to the Erasmus+ education mobility programme, but so far no concrete agreement has been made on the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation. Hungary has already made legislative changes in June to allow the institutions to be reformed and set a timeline for the implementation.The non-university foundations, which are mainly cultural centres such as the Foundation for Hungarian Culture or the Makovecz Campus Foundation, will all be dissolved by August 31 this year, a date tied to EU-set milestones that Hungary must meet to unlock frozen funds, with control transferred to relevant ministries. Meanwhile, the universities will have until 31 August 2027. For each university foundation, the government will set the dissolution date and the body to take over operations. There is no final decision on a permanent new model for the universities, according to Hungarian MEP Eszter Lakos, who is shadow rapporteur for the Horizon Europe specific programme, a separate piece of legislation detailing implementation rules for the EU’s next research programme, due to start in 2028. “The aim of the transition year is to settle this with [the universities], not to impose a model, and not to put them under state control,” she told Science|Business. “The goal is to give academic independence back to universities.”There are three models that are most likely to be implemented. One would be a return to a traditional, state-run model. Another could be a newer, more self-standing public institution. A third option would be a reformed version of the foundation models that meet EU standards. According to Lakos, the dismantling of the system put in place by the Orbán government is well underway and if all goes according to plan, Hungary could regain access to EU research money by the start of the next academic year in 2027. “I believe that the Hungarian government is doing the necessary changes so the universities could return as beneficiaries to Horizon from the next school year,” she said. In the meantime, “the universities, institutes and cultural assets carry on under proper public stewardship rather than a handful of unaccountable trustees,” said Lakos. The laws passed in June impose new safeguards: board terms are capped at four years and renewable only once, appointments are made through open competitions and sitting politicians cannot join joining these boards.It remains unclear whether a domestic science funding programme set up as a back-up scheme by the former government following the EU funding ban, called HU-rizon, could be continued. “This programme should never have had to have been established in the first place, but it has proven to be quite popular,” he said. “I am considering continuing this programme with a refined focus on helping international collaborations.”Re-organising the research network One of the first priorities for Horváth and his cabinet is to resolve questions over the future of the Hungarian Research Network, Hun-Ren. The network of academic institutes was taken away from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2019 and turned into a quasi-private organisation, with similarities in its governance to the public trust foundations.Horváth and his team have consulted over 5,000 representatives from the network and the conclusion is broad unhappiness with the directors of all the institutes involved. “We have presented the results to the president and the chief executive of the network and this is currently being discussed,” Horváth said. The plan is to re-integrate the network back into the Academy of Sciences but in an improved way, “learning from mistakes of the past,” he added. The government also wants to reintegrate four humanities and social science research centres into the network that the previous government had transferred to Eötvös Loránd University. The transfer brought sharp criticism from the academic community, with a group of Hungarian research heads, including European Research Council grant recipients, sending an open letter to Orbán warning that the transfer would “cause historically significant harm to the entirety of Hungarian scientific life.” The transfer was “one of the biggest shames in Hungarian research in the past 20 years,” Horváth said. “We want to immediately re-integrate them back into the research network and to regain the trust of these institutions, because the way they were treated was really unfair.”Another pressing issue is the Élvonal Excellence Research and Talent Development Foundation, led by Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. The foundation signed a financing agreement with the former government earlier this year for a budget of over €730 million over the next five years. The goal is to create a world-class centre to attract top talent from abroad and to develop local researchers. But there was little transparency about this foundation, and news of its huge budget, which is nearly as much as Hungary’s entire research budget, caused a stir in the media following the recent elections. Another issue is that, as with the foundation boards of the institutes banned from Horizon Europe, there was little-to-no oversight of decisions led by Krausz. “It was an excellent idea but an unacceptable execution,” Horváth said of the foundation. “The fact that this is out of the Hungarian funding scheme, mostly concentrating on one person who decides on the budget is unacceptable for us.”The government plans to merge the centre with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the country’s R&D funding agency, with a reduced budget. Horváth is hopeful that Krausz will still be involved. The new government’s R&D goalsA phrase that crops up regularly during the discussion with Horváth is “democratic process.” The new state secretary is determined to involve Hungary’s research community in shaping future policies. This marks a departure from the previous government’s approach, and several people in Hungary’s research community have commented on the openness of the new government. In terms of concrete goals, Horváth and his team already have plans. He wants to create a new science fund in Hungary, based on the best practices of other European countries. The fund would not be tied to annual government budgets and would provide long-term, stable financing. “If we were to succeed in creating this fund, then I think it would be one of the biggest achievements for me in this period of government,” Horváth said. On the innovation side, he is looking into how best to bring in the private sector. “We want to make sure that we are working with the private sector to support innovation,” Horváth said. One of his big aims is to introduce entrepreneurship teaching into high schools. Hungary already has a reputable national academy offering research and innovation training in the field of natural sciences, and Horváth wants to expand this to all disciplines and across the whole country. “One of the main ways to elevate our innovative businesses is to teach our children to be innovative,” he said. “This will probably need ten years to pay off, but this is what we should do. Our aim is to make Hungary strong in our region, and this is what is needed.” Related articlesHungary’s Horizon Europe performance in numbersCommission unlocks Erasmus+ cash for Hungary, Horizon could be next‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian researchers speak out on impact of EU ban A more difficult task will be funding. The new government is aiming to increase research spending to 2% of the GDP by 2030, and then increase it to 3% in line with EU objectives. Currently, spending sits around 1.3%. But according to Horváth, the current budget, inherited from the previous government, is “heavily in the negative,” so any plans to increase research spending will have to start next year. Achieving 2% by 2030 already needs a big push, almost doubling the research budget. “This is something we’d definitely like to reach, and something I can see us achieving,” he said. “From the 2030s, I’d like to see an innovative generation growing up that can help us reach the 3% target.” Positivity in the new governmentDespite the many challenges facing Horváth and his team, the mood is positive. “It feels a bit like a start-up right now. Everyone is working 24/7, day and night, trying to do as much as they can. There is a lot of energy,” he said. It is a big change for the state secretary who, like many in his cabinet, is coming from a background in research or business, and not in politics. “Six weeks ago, I was sitting with my microscope and my research PhDs, so it’s been a big change for me,” said the computer scientist, who was previously the director of the Institute of Biochemistry at the Hun-Ren Biological Research Centre in Hungary and worked at the Institute for AI for Health at Helmholtz Munich. But he is relishing the task to transform the country’s R&D landscape. “We feel enormous support from the Hungarian people, but also from Europe,” he said. “We’ve received a lot of letters of support from around Europe. There is big trust there, and huge responsibility on our side. We want to get everything back on track, and there’s a lot to do.”
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(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July in America, celebrating the country’s 250th birthday. Frankly, I am bummed the 250th wasn’t a bigger celebration, but that’s a different topic for a different Substack. While it was generally a quiet week on the entertainment/streaming/media business fronts, we still had some interesting news stories. Actually, that kinda undersells one of the stories, a huge, huge, huge divestment that could upend the entertainment landscape... So let’s get right to it. In today’s column, I’ll cover Comcast spinning off the rest of NBCUniversal, an entertainment company investing in an LLM company and an LLM-owner investing in a movie studio, the latest round of threats of digital tariffs, and more. Let’s dive in. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Most: Comcast/NBCU Breakup!!!! If I had to describe my reaction to Comcast spinning out NBCUniversal, it feels like a relationship ending, either breaking up or divorcing. Comcast’s decision to spin off the rest of NBCUniversal, after spinning off some of its cable assets into Versant last year, really does feel like a family breaking up under “irreconcilable differences”. Of my stereotypes of the entertainment moguls, my go-to for Comcast CEO Brian Roberts—heir to the Comcast fortune, but a man who’s been at the helm for 24 years now, and president for twelve years before that—is that he likes building empires. He cut his teeth acquiring cable rivals in the 1990s and tried to buy Disney repeatedly, then settled for NBCUniversal after a long court battle. (Contrast this with Rupert Murdoch, a man who also loved to buy, but would also sell when the price is right. Murdoch made Fox out of nothing, but then sold 20th Century Fox to Disney, arguably at the top of the market. So I understood why he sold.) But I don’t understand Roberts’ motivation to sell now. I have some explanations but no single, super-satisfying explanation. Strategically, it would just make more sense to have kept NBCUniversal in-house, especially for a one-time empire builder like Comcast. Yet one powerful force—arguably the decider in modern capitalism—likely overwhelmed all other considerations. At first, I thought I’d arrange my thoughts as a “Five Why” analysis, digging through each layer of the puzzle. But instead, I found myself asking, “But…why?” (And I only ended up with four sections.) So let’s look at Comcast from that angle. Then, at the end, I’ll give my biggest strategic recommendation for every company in Hollywood. It’s obvious, but sometimes, the obvious strategy is the most ignored. But…Why? The Stock Market, Conglomerations, and Sum of the Parts Analysis We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Why Comcast could never get a “tech company” valuation The not-so-secret motivation for Comcast What Versant has to do with all of this The key strategic advice I think every entertainment exec should follow (though it’s really obvious) Some big AI investment news… Whether we’ll see digital tariffs… And more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
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