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Your address holds clues to knowing your child's hospitalization risk
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's used local data to create a framework that predicts a child's hospitalization risk based on their address.
CBS Sports chief says ‘no timetable’ on Tony Romo’s future after OWI arrest
CBS Sports president David Berson says the network is still assessing the lead NFL analyst’s future following last month’s arrest
Whitmer's chief of staff also consulted for national political group
Operatives said the arrangement raised questions about how someone could work for a political entity while also helping lead the state's top office.
Senator Darline Graham advances to runoff in South Carolina Republican primary
Lindsey Graham’s sister, appointed to replace him, is seeking full term in special Senate primary
Amazon Is Offering a Great Deal on a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC, and It Includes Two Upcoming AAA Games
The RTX 5070 Ti graphics card is powerful enough to run the latest games smoothly at 4K.
Two new cases of measles in southwest Wisconsin, health officials say
The cases bring Wisconsin's 2026 total to four measles cases.
Trump’s ICE crackdown returns to the spotlight as the midterms loom: From the Politics Desk
Plus, what to watch for in tonight’s primaries.
Stop Killing Games Joins Dutch Consumer Group's $457M Lawsuit Against Sony Over Digital Store 'Monopoly'
The Stop Killing Games movement is officially suing Sony, claiming the company’s “monopoly” over the video game market is blatantly “against the law.”
Purported Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Prototype Somehow Ends Up in a Customer's Hands
The Xbox Elite Series 3 Wireless Controller hasn't even been officially announced yet, but a purported prototype has seemingly found its way into the hands of someone who thought they were buying an Elite Series 2 controller on the retail website OfferUp.
Crimson Desert Dev Conducting 'Extensive Research' on Multiplayer Modes, Plots Potential Sequels
Pearl Abyss has detailed its plans for smash hit action role-playing game Crimson Desert, confirming it is exploring multiplayer modes. Meanwhile, we have a target launch window for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, and talk of potential sequels.
Henry Ford Health closing emergency room at St. Clair County hospital
Henry Ford Health will close its emergency department and end inpatient services at its River District Hospital in East China Township.
Xbox CEO Gets Elder Scrolls 6 Demo, Teases the Subtitle
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma got to see a "live playthrough" of The Elder Scrolls 6, and she posted her reactions on social media afterwards. She also teased – in the vaguest of ways – the subtitle for the upcoming RPG.
Dietitian Shares No. 1 Plant-Based Protein to Boost Brain Health
These anti-inflammatory plant foods are also packed with protein.
More Lord of the Rings Remasters Are in the Works Following War in the North Re-Release, Confirms Aspyr
Aspyr has plans to re-release more Lord of the Rings games following its shadow drop of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North on modern platforms.
The Guardian view on AI money in US politics: not the way to hold an urgent democratic debate
Editorial: Amid public concern over the impact of new technology, Silicon Valley’s use of its wealth to influence specific election races is an unwelcome development
How's the health of Auburn football's safeties? Latest injury updates
With as many as four of Auburn football's safeties impacted by injury in fall camp, how's the position group holding up? Here's the latest.
Will Andy Burnham’s everyday fixes be enough to get the public on his side?
The prime minister’s money-saving policies are popular but they are yet to convince voters he can take on the big things
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 Console Images Reportedly Leak
Leaked images of a The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller appear to be circulating online.
Business Owners Are Asking the Wrong AI Question. Monday.com's Stock Drop Shows the Better One
Investors are no longer rewarding AI adoption on its own. They want proof that it is changing revenue, margins, and customer value.
Mississippi couple takes on Gatorade, Powerade with new sports drink
A Mississippi couple launched a clean-ingredient sports drink company after struggling to find healthy options for kids.
South Carolina Senate Primary Special Election 2026 Live Results
View results from the 2026 South Carolina Senate Primary Special Election. Follow live outcomes as votes are added up on Election Day.
Wisconsin Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results
See live results from the 2026 Wisconsin Governor primary election as Republican and Democrat votes are counted by candidate and county.
We’re reading less. And it’s making us stupid
Books have never been trendier, but studies show that as more and more things compete for our frazzled attention spans, we’re reading less and less. This is a problem because reading has a wealth of cognitive benefits that we’re in danger of missing out on.To find out why declining literacy could affect everything from memory to IQ, Madeleine Finlay speaks to the Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample. She also hears from Prof Falk Huettig, an experimental psychologist at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and author of The Perks of Being a Bookworm
Much-wishlisted 100-player shooter Wardogs gets an early access release date and promises refunds for anyone unhappy with the closed beta
Indie multiplayer shooter Wardogs will soon be available to anyone who doesn't want to wait around of a closed alpha invite.
Control Resonant Wants 'To Challenge' What’s Come Before In Action Games — A Deep Dive Into Remedy's First Full Swing at Melee Combat
Control Resonant wants 'to challenge' what’s come before in action games. We take a deep dive into Remedy's first full swing at melee combat.
iPhone Users Who Pay for Enough iCloud Storage Get New iOS 27 Perks
If you are subscribed to an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB of storage, you will receive new perks in the Home app on iOS 27, according to Apple. Starting with iOS 27, Apple said iPhone users who are subscribed to an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB of storage receive access to three new Apple Intelligence features in the Home app: generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video cameras, the ability to search for camera clips, and automatic surfacing of noteworthy clips.
Get your fantasy football edge with USA TODAY Sports Fantasy
Introducing USA TODAY Sports Fantasy, the premium tool for fantasy football managers.
Marvel's Wolverine "fully playable" on disc when it releases, Insomniac clarifies, perhaps making it one of the last few PlayStation games that will be
The controversy around Sony's decision to end production of PlayStation discs rages on. But Insomniac is all-in on physical media for Marvel's Wolverine.
Mexican restaurants receive low health inspection scores
A group of Mexican restaurants were among those getting low inspections scores this week.
LG Launches Back to School Sale With Major Discounts on OLED TVs and Monitors
LG is hosting a big Back to School sale on its website this week, with deals on monitors, TVs, home appliances, and more. LG's discounts have been automatically applied and do not require any discount codes or special memberships. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with LG. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Health Facts vs. Myths: Detoxing, Water Intake, Steps, More
NBC’s medical contributor Dr. John Torres joins TODAY to sort out fact from common medical myths. He also shares his advice for navigating produce shopping amid the rising numbers of recalls, which include buying locally and staying up to date with CDC and FDA guidelines.
Ann Arbor’s 2 new programs aim to change how the city responds to mental health crises
‘Real mummy’s curse’: health warning over growing trade in mummified human remains
Academic paper says often illicit trade exposes enthusiasts – and postal workers handling items – to serious risks
Supermassive Games announces layoffs, up to 75 workers may be affected
This marks the third round of job cuts at the Guildford-based studio in three years
Unc’s Pizza opens for business in downtown Detroit
Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood in the city’s downtown has a new local spot for Detroit-style pizza.
ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard reportedly exits tour after health issues
ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard is reportedly stepping away from the band's current tour due to health concerns.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former Republican as running mate in re-election bid
Hobbs faces a competitive re-election race against GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, former chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
Politics & Power: Big opportunities, real risks, ethics & oversight as AI reshapes the legal industry
AI can make legal work faster, cheaper, and more accessible, but it doesn't come without risk. The organizations that come out ahead won't just be the ones that adopt the best tools. They'll be the ones that pair those tools with clear oversight, honest communication with clients, and a genuine commitment to getting it right.
U.S. small business sentiment surged to an 11-month high in July as hiring plans jumped
The optimism index climbed 2.4 points to 99.8, surpassing its 52-year average, while planned hiring jumped to its highest level since October 2022
Joby Aviation to Scale Defense Business Through Acquisition of Resonant Sciences
Acquisition will significantly expand Joby’s defense business by adding a fast-growing company with established programs, classified capabilities and scaled manufacturing operations` Upon closing, Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defense business, continuing its existing programs while expanding its portfolio to include Joby’s hybrid aircraft and autonomy technologies. Joby’s commercial aircraft business will remain focused on its electric air taxi initiatives Combination will create immediate opportunities to unite Joby’s dual-use aircraft, propulsion and autonomy technologies with Resonant’s radio frequency (RF), sensing and mission systems capabilities as well as its world-leading expertise in low-observability aircraft design Resonant delivered more than $100 million in trailing-twelve-month revenue, representing approximately 40% year-over-year growth, alongside strong adjusted EBITDA generation, driven primarily by long-cycle programs with the U.S. government, prime contractors and next generation defense technology programs
Scientists are closer than ever to understanding the power of the vagus nerve
The vagus nerve is the autonomic nervous system’s highway, connecting every major organ
The US tried to stop cartel money-laundering. It devastated mom-and-pop businesses instead
Small businesses pay hidden toll after money-transfer rule change to curb illicit activities near the US-Mexico border
My Dad Wanted Me to Take Over His Accounting Firm. I Built a $3.2 Million One Instead
Sherman Standberry's family business helps clients lower their taxes.
James Talarico Said He Wouldn’t Accept Any Endorsements From the Pulpit. He Just Did.
The Democratic nominee for Senate has decried such political engagement from pastors, saying that the church-state boundary is “sacred.”
GTA 6 might not cost $100, but most of the people pre-ordering it are buying it at that price, Take-Two reveals
Rockstar put a lot of effort into enticing people into pre-ordering the more expensive Ultimate edition.
How polarised is European politics? Here’s how your generation, gender and where you live affect what you believe
Discussions in the media about the generational divide in politics only capture part of what is happening.
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
‘Fiercely independent’ South Carolina votes on Lindsey Graham’s Senate successor
Republicans, including Graham’s sister Darline, expedite campaigns to replace late senator in special primary race
Wisconsin considers democratic socialist for governor amid US wave of progressive wins
Francesca Hong is Democratic frontrunner in four-way primary race to lead the swing state, a test of anti-establishment sentiment
Eye On Entertainment: Whitney Houston Barbie Doll
Scientists scanned 14 canine brains. They found another reason to love dogs
The research shows why you must smile at every dog you see on the street.
'A Must-Have Day 1 Purchase': Remedy Bets Big on Control Resonant, as Alan Wake 2 Passes 3 Million Sold
Alan Wake and Control developer Remedy is betting big on Control Resonant, as Alan Wake 2 finally passes 3 million copies sold.
How democratic socialism became Democrats' new purity test
DSA candidates are reshaping the Democratic Party – but the pull left may have less to do with policy than with the psychology of group belonging.
Spangler's poor health requires urgent testimony, judge rules
Attorneys for the indicted men and the state agree: Sheriff Tom Spangler, who is fighting pancreatic cancer, should testify under oath without delay.
A trail of business disputes preceded FBI raid on developer Andy Card
Lawsuits accused the Westfield developer of setting up 'alter ego' companies and commingling funds. Card has fought back against the allegations.
This was just voted the best sports venue in Metro Detroit
What is the best sports venue in Metro Detroit? The votes are in, and we have a winner!
Congo says 2,000 people have died in its Ebola outbreak, the fastest growing on record
The grim toll comes nearly three months since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
PUMA pop-up store and autograph sessions in Europark
On Theaterplatz until WednesdayFrom now until Wednesday, PUMA will have its own pop-up store on Theaterplatz in Europark station. In addition to selected PUMA products, you'll also find our latest jer...
New Purdue AD had the guts to rip Indiana. Then he folded
Purdue's new AD leaned into Indiana rivalry with one comment. What should worry Boilermaker fans isn't what he said. It's how quickly he took it back.
Congo says 2,000 people have died in its Ebola outbreak, the fastest growing on record
Congo's Ebola outbreak has recorded at least 2,000 deaths among confirmed cases, the fastest growing on record.
Congo says 2,000 people have died in its Ebola outbreak, the fastest growing on record
Congo's Ebola outbreak has recorded at least 2,000 deaths among confirmed cases, the fastest growing on record.
Archer Aviation Exec Says Boeing Deal Will ‘Significantly Change the Profile’ as $200 Million Insitu Business Joins Portfolio
Archer Aviation Inc.‘s (NYSE:ACHR) deal with Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) could significantly reshape the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) company. Insitu’s $200 Million Revenue Business During the company’s second-quarter earnings call on Monday, Archer’s Chief Financial Officer Priya Gupta hailed the company’s acquisition of unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer Insitu, as well as autonomous eVTOL maker Wisk Aero and SkyGrid in an all-stock deal. Read Also: Rocket Lab USA, Hims & Hers,
Political campaigns hock merchandise at Colorado’s goths, gays and gun owners
Mid-term candidates get creative in campaign apparel.
Can politicians use whatever music they want on social media?
Some of Taylor Swfit’s songs quietly disappeared from several posts from the White House and “Team Trump” campaign TikTok accounts.
Would Ted Lasso be a good sports coach in real life?
The best modern coaches combine high support with high expectations. But they also speak openly about vulnerability and empathy – and it works.
As Trump Media scraps some businesses, it's doubling down on Truth Social and the president
The president's social media company is going back to its roots.
As Trump Media scraps some businesses, it's doubling down on Truth Social and the president
The president's social media company is going back to its roots.
$100 GTA VI Ultimate Edition Surpasses Standard Edition in Pre-Orders
Grand Theft Auto VI is leading the charge in the $80 AAA race, which has understandably upset many gamers, but the $100 Ultimate Edition has been another point of contention in online discussions. However, despite the online discussions potentially suggesting otherwise, Take-Two CEO, Strauss...
GTA 6 Boss Says More People Are Pre-Ordering the $100 Version of the Game
Grand Theft Auto 6 fans are pre-ordering the $100 Ultimate Edition more than the standard edition of the game.
'A little grace': Kate Beckinsale pushes back on comments about her weight loss
Kate Beckinsale pushed back on comments about her weight, opening up about grief, loss and a health condition.
Valve Is Expanding SteamOS Support to More Gaming Handhelds, Getting Us One Step Closer to Being Able to Ditch Windows 11 Altogether
Valve has added initial support for the Claw 8 EX AI+, along with some other ARM handhelds, and I hope it's just getting started.
Battlefield 6 Player With Over 400 Hours Gets Full Refund from Steam After Key Modes Were Removed
A Battlefield 6 player with hundreds of hours of playtime has scored a full refund of the game after Battlefield Studios removed key modes from the game's quick-play matchmaking.
Archer Aviation Just Bought a $200 Million Defense Business From Boeing -- by Giving Up 20% of the Company
Archer Aviation just made its boldest move yet, snapping up three Boeing businesses.
As Francesca Hong surged, Democratic rivals held their fire: From the Politics Desk
Plus, new bipartisan odd couple in the Senate.
Saber's newest game trailer takes a shot at Gearbox's CEO, if you look closely
The first hint that something might be up with the recent debut trailer for Saber Interactive’s Rideshare Stimulator is an unusual choice of words—aside from that second one in the game’s title. “Don’t take your passengers too seriously,” the trailer’s narrator says, as he describes this upcoming game. It a car game about the gig work of driving eccentric people to their destinations, a riff on Crazy Taxi. And then, he says: “When I think I’ve met the randiest of passengers, someone even stranger gets in.” “Randiest”? That suggests “randy,” which usually means having strong sexual desire. Yet none of the oddball backseat occupants featured in the trailer seem particularly lustful. One is an old man who considers his grandson a failure, another shares the theory that birds might control traffic lights, another says he’s banned from an aquarium. A little later, there’s a license plate, shown 63 seconds into the trailer, on the front of an SUV: USB DRV It’s a Texas plate. The symbol between those letters is a cog wheel. If you know, you know. That’s a reference to Texas-based Borderlands game development studio Gearbox Software (their logo features a cog wheel). More specifically, it’s a reference to Gearbox’s CEO Randy Pitchford, who in 2018 found himself explaining the nature of video he’d saved on a USB drive that was found at a Medieval Times restaurant before being returned to the studio: “It was ‘barely legal’ porn. This girl’s handle was ‘Only 18.’” The “girl” in the video had committed a solo sex act that Pitchford, an avid practitioner of magic, found remarkable. “I realized, this is not a sex worker…This is a fucking magician.” Back then, the USB drive was central to competing lawsuits against Gearbox by the studio’s former lawyer and by Gearbox against him. A settlement in late 2019 “exonerated” Pitchford, per the Hollywood Reporter. The USB story has resurfaced at times, now in a trailer from a company that not long ago was corporate brethren with Gearbox. Saber vs. Gearbox The head of Saber told Game File that the reference is payback. “The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4,” Saber CEO Matt Karch told me when I asked him about the license plate. “Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.” Having interviewed Karch during a cross-country flight in late 2024, I can confirm that Karch was unimpressed with Pitchford during their time both working in the Embracer group. I’d approached him not out of surprise that there was animosity but that it was manifesting publicly now. Gearbox was founded in 1999, worked on a port of Halo early on, and developed hit series such as the loot-based sci-fi shooter Borderlands before it was purchased by The Embracer Group in early 2021 for $363 million (with a possible earn-out of over $1 billion, if certain targets were hit by 2027). Saber was founded in 2001, worked on a remaster of Halo early on, had a big hit with zombie shooter World War Z and was purchased by Embracer in early 2020 for $150 million, with a potential earn-out of up to $375 million. For a few years, the Embracer group was a voracious acquirer of game studios. Then, as investment dried up, it choked. In March 2024, Embracer sold Saber to an investment company controlled by Saber CEO Matt Karch, and it sold Gearbox in an all-stock deal to long-time Borderlands publisher Take Two Interactive. Other studios were shut down. Hundreds of developers were laid off. Gearbox didn’t say much about their Embracer experience, nothing too direct, at least. In the summer 2024, Pitchford told reporter and occasional Game File contributor Nicole Carpenter that Borderlands 4’s story was in some way thematically connected to Gearbox’s experience at Embracer: “There’s this cultural and emotional shift in me, personally, and at the studio. What does it mean to trade some autonomy for organization?” When Borderlands 4 came out, there was something stranger: the matter of “Embracer’s Bluff,” a location in the game featuring an AI-powered toilet and a large trash dump, according to a detailed Kotaku account of the place. Gearbox never commented on it; Take Two never got back to me about it when I asked them last year. By contrast, since Saber exited Embracer, Karch has been one of Embracer’s biggest defenders, casting their management as well-meaning and supportive despite the layoffs and studio closures that resulted from their excessive expansion. Like others, Saber’s Karch saw Embracer’s as a shot. With Rideshare Stimulator’s trailer, he’s returned fire. “It’s amazing to me how fast people forget those who went above and beyond for them,” Karch told Game File. A rep for Gearbox did not comment by press time. Game File is a reader-supported publication. Your backing makes my reporting—including any coverage of trailer-based beefs—possible. Good news! I’m currently running Game File’s first big sale of 2026. You can get a one-year subscription for 23% off. Click here to take advantage of the limited-time offer. And thank you for your support! Item 2: In brief… 🚫 Wal-Mart has laid off the staff of Restart, a games media outlet launched in 2024, Aftermath reports. 🟥 A GTA VI preview is on the way, at last, via an “extended look” that will premiere, unusually, on Netflix at 3pm ET on August 27, then officially go live elsewhere six hours later. Last week, Game File noted that Take Two label Rockstar Games is overdue for showing off GTA VI, based on the timing of the initial hands-off previews of GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. During a call with investors, Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said pre-orders for GTA VI were “unprecedented and astonishing,” but added the company can’t predict how many of those pre-orders represent bonus sales vs. sales that otherwise would have been made at launch. During the same call, Zelnick was noticeably bullish on the future of playing games over streaming cloud connections (predicting wider adoption in three or so years). He sounded unbothered by Sony’s plans to stop making discs for new games (he said the business is 90% digital already and predicted that there could still be limited edition physical editions of games “in the same way there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business.”) 👀 Take Two wrote off $43 million in their spring quarter after deciding “not to proceed with further development of an unannounced title in its pipeline from a third-party developer.” 🤔 Some rare age-demographics from a big publisher: Capcom recently told investors that “users in their 20s account for approximately half of the users of both Pragamata and Resident Evil Requiem.” Item 3: The week ahead Tuesday, August 11 Game releases: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Switch 2; already out for PC, PS5, Xbox) continues the Bethesda strategy of putting Elder Scrolls games on everything; Royalty Free-For-All is a Smash Bros.-style fighting game featuring public domain characters such as Mother Goose brawling with Oliver Twist in a stage based on the original Little Shop of Horrors movie. Wednesday, August 12 Game release: Pro Jank Footy (PC, console) is an arcade-style Australian Rules Football game with increasingly ridiculous rules, the more you play (I enjoyed the Steam demo) Thursday, August 13 Game release: Super Mario Sunshine (Switch 2, originally released in 2002 on the GameCube) is released for Switch 2’s Nintendo Switch Online service. This game is the black sheep of 3D Mario games. It’s the successor to the breakthrough Super Mario 64 and the rare Mario game built around a single (vacation resort) theme. Mario’s got a water-spraying backpack, a Yoshi pal and a lot of blue coins to collect.
Experts Talk Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms and Diagnosis Amid Lindsay Clancy Trial
Whether Lindsay Clancy was suffering from undiagnosed postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children is central to her defense. Her Massachusetts murder trial is ongoing.
Mamdani's Business Council Is Taking Shape With 5 Big Names. Some CEOs Reportedly Said No
Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya and AlleyCorp founder Kevin Ryan have joined three finance veterans on the list of reported invitees.
Beloved bald eagle Jackie dies after health battle and 'critical' illness
Jackie, the internet-famous bald eagle of Big Bear Valley, has died after a weekslong health battle.
Eccentrica's Lamborghini Diablo Restomod Is Now Available As A Roadster, Still Firmly In The Uncanny Valley
Only 19 of these reimagined Diablos will be made, and because it's a convertible it's automatically better than the Eccentrica V12 Coupe we've already seen.
I Just Had My Mind Blown By A Car Museum In The Middle Of Nowhere Built By A Scrap-Metal Magnate
Having lived in Detroit, LA, and Bavaria, and having a brother who lives in Hong Kong, I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the greatest car museums/collections this world has to offer. This past weekend, while on vacation with my family in Iowa, I saw one that surprised me and that I feel compelled […]
Trump order aims to cut number of diseases all children should be vaccinated against from 18 to 11
The order reaffirms the dramatic overhaul to the vaccine schedule that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced earlier this year. Those changes have been blocked in court.
Someone Made a Terrific Deal in the Peacock/YouTube Premium Partnership…But Who?
(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 around the world suffering from record heat waves is doing okay. The temperature is already up in Southern California, but obviously not nearly as bad as parts of Europe. With a super El Nińo coming this year, I worry it will get even worse. Yes, we know what’s causing this heat—it’s the carbon, duh—but we really aren’t making enough progress. I’m not “environmental strategy guy”, but if I were, I’d have some ideas of what I’d try. Honestly, for years I’ve been intrigued by the work of the folks at MEER—whose plan, super simply, is to put up mirrors to reflect heat (while continuing the important work of decarbonization)—but I’m frustrated this idea hasn’t made more progress. (Other geo-engineering groups seem to get better press.) With heat like this—cancelling events, hurting economies and, most importantly, killing people—it seems like the time to push solutions! The “mirrors on the ground” solution has barely been tried.1 While entertainment companies may not “feel the heat”, lots of outdoors/experiential industries—concerts, theme parks and so on—will. Even movie theaters could benefit, since mirrors could help lower AC costs, which I imagine is not an insignificant expense, especially in the hotter areas of the country. So I do think the entertainment industry should prioritize this issue. Anyways, let’s get back into the entertainment strategy. I was about to write, “Hey, this week we don’t have any mergers and entertainment news to dive into,” but that’s not really true, since we had more updates on Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. But the big story of the week involves a streamer and a Big Tech platform bundling their respective streamers. So I’ll write about the updates on Paramount buying Warner Bros., Versant making some moves, and a whole lot more. But we start with a surprising deal: Peacock licensing their content to YouTube Premium. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Peacock’s Pricey Premium Partnership The story of the week is Comcast’s2 NBC-Universal’s Peacock making a deal with Google’s YouTube’s YouTube Premium subscription product to embed their content. And I’ll say this up front: Someone made a terrific deal. The question is who. And I’ll be honest: I don’t know. Let me explain why, including why this deal exists, the pros and cons for each side, the biggest unknown, and what that says about the streaming wars. Customers Love Bundles (But YouTube Has Its Own Issues) 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 customers love bundles… But why I’m worried about YouTube’s integration... How Peacock is trading scale for control… And the reason they likely made this deal... The odd budget math for this deal... Whether or not I think the Paramount-Skydance/WBD deal is more likely after the latest settlement... Versant making moves and why that’s good for Hollywood… Another distributor going out of business… ...and a whole lot more! ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
How You’ll Know What Business You’re in
When you can afford to say no to a client, you’ve solidified your identity.
Trump signs order overriding CDC vaccine schedule and breaking up measles, mumps and rubella shots
Order also recommends all shots be given at separate medical visits though cost of doing them together is lower
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Oregon lawmakers condemn reported attack against Sen. Janeen Sollman
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Brad Pitt no longer sober, talks feeling 'suicidal' amid family drama
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'Bachelorette' alum Joe Amabile gives health update on brain tumor
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Valve confirms Steam hardware buyers' data exposed in CEVA Logistics cyberattack
Valve has begun notifying European customers who ordered Steam hardware that their personal information may have been e…
Self-flying air taxis and drones: Boeing sells key aviation technology businesses to Archer
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Ruf-powered, Porsche 959-inspired supercar brings 819bhp
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Assassin's Creed creator's dark and witchy action game 1666: Amsterdam is out in early access sooner than we expected
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Aliens: Fireteam Elite on Nintendo Switch Shut Down With No Refunds, as Owners Become The Latest Victims of Gaming's Increasingly Digital Future
Aliens: Fireteam Elite has had its cloud servers shut down, leaving Nintendo Switch owners unable to play the game without any form of refund.
"They don't understand art" - id Software lead slams Xbox, says it's "impossible" to make games like 2016's Doom now
id's lead services provider Chris Hayes spoke to the Well Played podcast about the studio, and the problems he has with the company post-layoffs.
Top Sports Entertainment Lawyer Joins Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Eric Fishman joined Hogan Lovells Cadwalader as U.S. Sports and Entertainment Lead in New York, the firm announced Monday.
Tommy John, ex-Yankees pitcher and namesake of career-saving surgery, says goodbye amid health issues
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Gen Z calls it ‘loud budgeting’ – small business owners have been doing it for decades
The practice of openly proclaiming to the world what you can’t afford can lead to lower fees, reduced prices and better deals
Donors come through for Sophie, Morristown's beloved 'Hot Dog Lady'
Soft-spoken Sophie Hsieh been selling hod dogs on the Morristown Green for four decades. When her cart was damaged, her fans stepped up.