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The nation’s cartoonists look back on the year that was.
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's a look back on the past year through the eyes of the cartoonists. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Movies and TV shows casting across the US
Backstage compiled a list of movies and TV shows casting across the US.
BP to Sell Majority Stake in Castrol Business for $6 Billion
The UK oil giant will divest a 65% stake, retaining the remaining interest via a joint venture, it said Wednesday. BP is shedding assets to reduce debt and turn around years of lagging performance that put the company in the crosshairs of activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management. It kicked off the sale process for Castrol back in February, when then-Chief Executive Officer Murray Auchincloss unveiled a strategic reset, promising to refocus on oil and gas, slash costs and reduce debt.
As Colorado’s soon-to-be majority, independent voters will determine state’s political future
Colorado, and Coloradans, value independence. Now that we’ve flipped the page on a new election year calendar, we will soon discover just how much we value our Independents as well. Unaffiliated or, as they prefer to be known, “independent” voters already outnumber Democrats and Republicans combined in Colorado. Soon they will cross the 50% threshold […]
Holiday crowds boost business across Berks County
From the Peanut Bar to the American Diner, restaurants and other businesses in Berks County look forward to serving customers through the holidays.
Asian Legal Business Again Recognizes Ning Zhang Among the Top Dealmakers in Asia
Partner Ning Zhang has been named to Asian Legal Business’s 2025 Dealmakers of Asia list. This marks the third consecutive year he has been recognized among the region’s most influential and accomplished legal professionals who have made significant contributions to the dynamic landscape of Asian business law and are shaping the future of dealmaking across the continent.
Open thread: Maryland women’s lacrosse
Your open space to chat Terps women’s lacrosse.
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future advances could unlock millions more. Each new find also opens doors to conservation and medical breakthroughs.
‘Silver tsunami’ of retiring business owners leaves Main Streets at a crossroads
(This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.) ALPENA — Mary Rajasekhar had owned Olivet Book and Gift for 35 years when she decided last Christmas it was time to retire. But, with her children spread out across the country and into their own […]
See photos of sports fans dressed as the Grinch ahead of Christmas
Sports fans across the United States got into the holiday spirit by dressing as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
Science funding was hit in 2025. What does that mean for the future? : Consider This from NPR
2025 was a hard year for science. The Trump administration upended federal funding for all kinds of scientific pursuits, slashing budgets across agencies like NASA, NIH and NOAA. NPR's Rob Stein and Katia Riddle spoke to scientists and officials who worry that those cuts could cause the United States to lose its competitive edge as a global hub for research and innovation, and steer future generations away from careers in science. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Michael Levitt, with audio engineering by Zo vanGinhoven. It was edited by Sarah Handel, Scott Hensley and Amina Khan. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
UPDATE: Dougherty County Approves Entertainment Complex Near Albany Mall
After nearly 20 years of planning, commissioners have greenlighted the project expected to draw visitors from across Southwest Georgia.
Opry Entertainment Group Unveils Star-Studded New Year's Eve Celebrations at Nashville Venues
Opry Entertainment Group is ringing in 2026 with an unforgettable lineup of New Year’s Eve events across Nashville’s most iconic venues.
Oklahoma City, fans across the state will never forget the year of sports in 2025
KOCO 5 Sports Director Bryan Keating replays some of the many major and championship sports moments from 2025 in Oklahoma City
An LSU professor’s tips for responsible AI adoption in business
As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, business leaders across a range of industries are having to work out how to adopt them without putting sensitive information or the trust o… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content […]
Klarna Sees Triple-Digit Spending Growth Across Entertainment, Experiences, and Automotive This Holiday Season
NEW YORK, December 23, 2025--Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, today reports an increase in U.S. holiday spending beyond traditional retail, with consumers driving triple-digit year-over-year growth across entertainment (+130%), experiences (+115%) and automotive products (100%), such as vehicle maintenance and repairs, from December 1 through Monday, December 22, signaling a clear shift toward experiential and high-value practical purchases this season.
From the Texas Legislature: 5 big moves that shaped your life this year
Decisions in Austin reset taxes, schools, gaming and the balance of power across the state.
I worked remotely on a cross-country Amtrak train. The views were unbeatable, but I wish I'd known 3 things.
Working remotely on a 43-hour Amtrak train offered stunning views, but a reliable hotspot and backup power are essential.
NYT Strands Hints for Dec. 24, 2025
Scroll down for hints and conversation about the puzzle for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.
Female youth sports injuries on the rise in Michigan, doctors say
Doctors are seeing an uptick in ACL knee injuries in young athletes across Michigan. WCMU's Tina Sawyer recently sat down with WCMU multimedia producer Stefanie Mills to learn more.
‘It breaks our heart’: These 30 business locations across Pa. are closing
The businesses on the list are located in 12 counties.
Atoms form basic building blocks of life
The tiny atom, the basic building block of everything, is itself almost nothing, but atoms form a crossroads where science and theology can meet.
Modernize permitting to meet our energy needs
By Gabe Evans and Heather Reams Energy needs across the country are growing, particularly as domestic AI and advanced manufacturing increase. To meet this demand, we need every electron possible, but our current permitting system disincentivizes innovation and new project development. As two leaders in the energy space, we know the United States is more […]
Critical n8n Flaw (CVSS 9.9) Enables Arbitrary Code Execution Across Thousands of Instances
Critical n8n flaw CVE-2025-68613 (CVSS 9.9) lets authenticated users run arbitrary code; versions 0.211.0–1.120.4 affected, patched in newer releases.
Tesla sales fall across Europe again as BYD surges
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Vogue Business’s Top 10 Words of the Year
The terms that influenced and defined culture in 2025 across fashion, beauty, sustainability and tech.
Governors’ Health Priorities in 2025
Through emergency response, behavioral health investments, maternal health protections, nutrition innovations, rural health transformation, and workforce development, Governors have demonstrated that effective governance requires evidence-based policymaking, cross-agency coordination, and sustained political will. Governors confronted complex challenges with innovative solutions grounded in evidence and adapted to local contexts. As highlighted at the 2025 Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute, states […]
Youth in Ugandan Politics
Across Uganda, young people are stepping boldly into the political arena. In our Street Debate we ask them: Where does your drive and sense of urgency come from? And: Do they actually stand a chance?
Paying More, Getting Less: Rising health care costs, poor outcomes, and harmful federal policy decisions are putting New Yorkers at risk
Paying More, Getting Less: Rising health care costs, poor outcomes, and harmful federal policy decisions are putting New Yorkers at risk Key Takeaways Health care costs are rising sharply across all forms of coverage, while federal policy decisions are worsening affordability and access. Enhanced ACA premium tax credits are set...
CfA Science in the Press at AAS 247 | Center for Astrophysics
Cambridge, Mass. (December 22, 2025)— New scientific results from across the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) will be revealed at multiple press conferences and presentations during the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) from January 5-8, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.Presentations will highlight new research, including a deeper look into little red dots, a more complete census of active galactic nuclei, and uncovering properties of early universe dwarf galaxies, a look at Betelgeuse’s binary companion.
Risk, hard work and sacrifice: Hispanic small business owners fight and thrive
Hispanics across North Texas have invested their life savings into small businesses even amid economic turbulence and immigration anxieties.
Hackensack Meridian Health Day of Connection Donates $500,000 Worth of Warming Kits And Doordash Gift Cards To Shelters Across New Jersey This Holiday Season
It’s the season of giving, and Hackensack Meridian Health is giving back by supporting the communities it serves. New Jersey’s largest health network, and home to the number one hospital in the NY/NJ metro area, and top 20 in the nation hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, is donating nearly $500,000 dollars worth of winter items and food gift cards to more than 200 shelters across the state.
Vermont’s largest health insurer tells you to avoid the state’s largest hospital in new marketing campaign
Why is healthcare so expensive in Vermont? BlueCross BlueShield says it’s, in part, the sheer cost of services from the biggest hospitals.
Maggie O'Farrell didn't want to write 'Hamnet's' script. How Chloé Zhao changed her mind
From their first Zoom call to a 58-minute voice note, Maggie O'Farrell details how she and Chloé Zhao came to co-write the screenplay for 'Hamnet' across continents and time zones.
Dozens of new business locations opening in Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, York and beyond
Panera, Raising Cane’s, Urban Churn, Costco, Bacco, Aldi, Buffalo Wild Wings, AAA, Dollar Tree, Wawa and Chick-fil-A are among the businesses that have opened or soon will open new locations across south central Pennsylvania.
Medicaid Health Plans Step Up Outreach Efforts Ahead of GOP Changes
Even as President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers say the One Big Beautiful Bill Act targets waste, fraud, and abuse, Medicaid health plans are hosting events across the U.S. to prevent low-income families from losing health insurance and food benefits next year.
From family feuds to friendly feasts: Learn the art of talking politics at the holiday table
The Conversation Across the Aisle project seeks to bring together people with different views for a meal. The goal: civil discourse.
December 22, 2025: Rural Health Symposium Opens Registration, Announces Call for Abstracts
The Duke University School of Nursing will convene healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers for a 1-day symposium dedicated to reducing rural health disparities across North Carolina through […]
Former Duke football players use 3D printing to transform sports medicine
Their innovative products are now widely adopted across major sports leagues and colleges.
Cross-border shopping now on 'even keel', business leaders say
Dundalk Chamber of Commerce said most cross border shopping is now for a day out rather than the expectation of making large savings.
This simulation reveals what really happens near black holes
Black holes are among the most extreme objects in the universe, and now scientists can model them more accurately than ever before. By combining Einstein’s gravity with realistic behavior of light and matter, researchers have built simulations that closely match real astronomical observations. These models reveal how matter forms chaotic, glowing disks and launches powerful outflows as it falls into black holes. It’s a major step toward decoding how these cosmic engines actually work.
This AI finds simple rules where humans see only chaos
A new AI developed at Duke University can uncover simple, readable rules behind extremely complex systems. It studies how systems evolve over time and reduces thousands of variables into compact equations that still capture real behavior. The method works across physics, engineering, climate science, and biology. Researchers say it could help scientists understand systems where traditional equations are missing or too complicated to write down.
Concert venue, entertainment district planned for downtown Tampa
The district will be built in a lot across from the Benchmark International Arena.
California businesses continue to shoulder state's $20 billion debt to the federal government
Businesses large and small across California are paying even more on their payroll taxes to the federal government this year because of spending decisions the state's Legislature and governor made within the last few years.
Steam’s December update finally brings a fully 64‑bit client to Windows, modernizing the platform after years of partial support
The Steam client finally makes the move to 64 bit on Windows, laying the groundwork for better performance, stability, and future updates across PC gaming’s largest platform.
NH's Business: Tackling unresolved issues in NH heading into 2026
Fred Kocher sits down with Matt Mowry with Business NH Magazine and Mike Cote with the New Hampshire Business Review to talk about key issues across the state heading into the new year.
Strengthening U.S.-Nigerian Health Cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy - U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
Strengthening U.S.-Nigerian Health Cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy The United States signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Republic of Nigeria December 19 to advance the America First Global Health Strategy, supporting resilient, self-reliant, and durable health systems while promoting accountability and shared responsibility. Under the five-year MOU, the United States intends to commit nearly $2.1 billion in health assistance, with nearly $3.0 billion in new domestic health expenditures by the Government of Nigeria over the same five-year period. This represents the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy and underscore Nigeria’s commitment to greater national ownership of its health system. Under the MOU, the United States will continue to support surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory systems, health commodities; frontline healthcare workers, and data systems. Nigeria faces significant health challenges, including one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally and approximately30 percent of the global malaria burden. U.S. assistance under the MOU will expand access to affordable, preventive and curative services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, polio, and maternal and child health, strengthening health outcomes across Nigeria. The MOU places a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers, recognizing their indispensable role in delivering care to communities in need. Nigeria’s more than 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals serve more than 30 percent of the country’s 230 million people, often in areas where healthcare facilities are limited or absent. The MOU provides approximately $200 million in dedicated support to strengthen and support these Christian facilities, enhance workforce capacity, and expand access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal child health services. Investments in Christian faith-based health institutions are uniquely positioned to complement public-sector facilities and reinforce Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure. The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms undertaken by the Government of Nigeria to prioritize the protection of Christian populations from extremist violence. As with all U.S. foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate programs that do not align with U.S. national interests, and the United States expects Nigeria to continue making measurable progress in combating religiously motivated violence against Christian communities. This five-year MOU is the latest of several health cooperation MOUs signed in Africa this month. The United States will continue to sign multi-year Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation with countries receiving U.S. health assistance to advance the America First Global Health Strategy.
Science says we’ve been nurturing “gifted” kids all wrong
A major international review has upended long-held ideas about how top performers are made. By analyzing nearly 35,000 elite achievers across science, music, chess, and sports, researchers found that early stars rarely become adult superstars. Most world-class performers developed slowly and explored multiple fields before specializing. The message is clear: talent grows through variety, not narrow focus.
Countries across the world have faced this polarizing debate. Now it’s America’s turn
The Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices last year famously immunized President Donald Trump against criminal prosecution for his official actions. But the ruling did not extend the same protection to the people who work for him in government.
NorthStars fall sports winners: SFIS in cross-country, St. Michael's in football among others
The first semester may have just ended for the high school calendar, but we’re not even to the halfway point of the 2025-26 prep sports season.
Saturday Sports: High school basketball and wrestling from across the North Country
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Saturday.
Quantum entanglement could connect drones for disaster relief, bypassing traditional networks
Any time you use a device to communicate information—an email, a text message, any data transfer—the information in that transmission crosses the open internet, where it could be intercepted. Such ...
This “mushroom” is not a fungus, it’s a bizarre plant that breaks all the rules
Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss.
Congress leaves town until 2026 with no health care deal, forcing premium hikes
Four Republicans teamed up with Democrats to require a vote to revive ACA funds in early 2026. But Senate Republicans tell NBC News that bill is dead on arrival across the Capitol.
Massachusetts Department of Health report 13 adult flu deaths this season
Flu-like symptoms are increasingly prevalent across Massachusetts as the holiday season approaches, with the Massachusetts Department of Health reporting 13 adult deaths attributed to influenza thi…
Nurses condemn escalating attacks on transgender patients and their health care providers
Nurses across the country reject new Trump Department of Health and Human Services plans seeking to ban the provision of gender-affirming care and to intimidate health care workers who care for trans patients.
News | Strategic Property Partners unveils Water Street Tampa's new entertainment district
Developer to partner with Vinik Sports Group to enhance programming across downtown
Titans Sports Network and Overnght Announce Multiyear Partnership
Overnght Media Group and Titans Sports Network have entered a multiyear partnership that will provide Cal State Fullerton students with hands-on experience in live sports production across a wide range of sports, including water polo, football and more. Through this partnership, students will have the opportunity to work alongside Overnght’s production teams, gaining real-world experience […]
Governor awards $20 million to expand rural primary care - 32 health care organizations to strengthen services statewide - Office of the Governor
SANTA FE — Thirty-two rural health care organizations will share $20 million in Rural Health Care Delivery Fund awards to expand primary care services across New Mexico. The fiscal year 2026 awards support projects that strengthen local health care capacity and improve access to coordinated, person-centered care in underserved areas — from tribal communities in […]
Indiana Politics in 2025: The Stories That Shaped the State | Crossroads Politics
Montgomery hospital sues Blue Cross, argues insurer “destabilized” Alabama healthcare, caused bankruptcy
Jackson Hospital in Montgomery is suing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for an excess of $250 million.
It’s Just Politics Top 10: Michigan’s biggest political stories of 2025
A list of the top ten political stories in Michigan in 2025: Whitmer and Trump 2.0, a controversial tax on marijuana, and growing fights over data centers across the state.
PNW College of Business Alumni Week Strengthens Career Connections and Celebrates Student Confidence
The Purdue Northwest College of Business brought alumni back to classrooms across campus for its annual College of Business Alumni Week, creating opportunities for students to learn directly from business professionals who once sat in their seats.
The top new 2025 games by players
Here's 2025's most played new titles across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation. Plus, a breakdown of Steam’s $18B in revenue, including top indies, and other 2025 goodies.
SeaWorld Parks Light Up the Season with Dazzling Displays, New Holiday Entertainment, and the Best Savings of the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld parks across Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio are celebrating the holiday season with millions of twinkling lights, new...
How U.S. sports tickets got so expensive – and why it shocks the rest of the world
World Cup ticket prices are symptomatic of a greater issue across sports in America, where enough people have proven they'll pay in excess
Evaluation of WHO’s coordination in health emergencies helps guide humanitarian reforms
The recent evaluation of the Global Health Cluster sheds new light on how WHO, in its unique role as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for health, coordinates life-saving health responses in humanitarian crises. It highlights how WHO works through partnerships to reach the most vulnerable crisis-affected populations and strengthen collective action in increasingly complex emergencies. Serving both learning and accountability purposes, the evaluation provided timely and actionable recommendations that are helping to strategically position WHO during the ongoing IASC Humanitarian Reset and the broader UN 2.0 reforms, where prioritization and new ways of working are taking shape. The evaluation was conducted between 2024 and 2025, at a time when humanitarian action funding was plummeting by more than 50%, triggering the launch of the IASC Humanitarian Reset. While restructuring and prioritization across the humanitarian landscape were underway, the evaluation, through iterative feedback loops, shared emerging findings that helped identify the most crucial coordination functions needed. This was especially important at a time when humanitarian needs and health risks due to armed conflict and natural hazards were increasing, while the capacity of health partners to support Member States to equitably reach all populations affected by crises and deliver response was at risk. The evaluation found that the Global Health Cluster (GHC) remains a highly relevant mechanism for strengthening health coordination in crises and has delivered efficiently despite limited resources. It noted strong collaboration with partners and highlighted opportunities to deepen integration within WHO structures and further enhance inter-cluster cooperation. The evaluation also identified areas where greater emphasis on transition planning, national coordination capacity and linkages between humanitarian response and health system strengthening would bring added value. While the GHC has achieved many of its strategic objectives, improvements in monitoring systems would help better demonstrate collective impact. The recommendations will help strengthen the IASC CLA coordination function across WHO, at all levels, and with all partners. It is noted that going forward WHO needs to continue to support capacity to fulfil coordination functions, in line with the IASC Humanitarian Reset whilst ensuring collective prioritization of health cluster action and quality coverage of the health response. The evaluation will help WHO strengthen locally-led action, national ownership and leadership of the sector, and linkages between health system strengthening activities. Additionally, the evaluation evidence will be used to optimize resource mobilization for the GHC and strengthen WHO’s capacity to deliver, plan for and monitor and evaluate results across the Organization. Read the evaluation Global Health Cluster https://healthcluster.who.int/ WHO’s work in health emergencies https://www.who.int/emergencies/overview
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Time Moves Faster on Mars, And Scientists Finally Know by How Much
"This is the closest we have been to realizing the science fiction vision of expanding across the Solar System."
Water Street Tampa expanding with new entertainment district in downtown
Soon, Tampa will have a new spot to see concerts. The parking lot across the street from Benchmark International Arena will become a small concert venue that will allow new artists to have a sell-out show in Tampa.
Flu, COVID and RSV cases surging across New York, health officials say
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins 'America's Newsroom' to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana's link to psychosis.
Westwood One Sports Unveils Sports Talk Lineup
ATLANTA and NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cumulus Media’s Westwood One today unveiled its new Sports Talk lineup, debuting Monday, December 29, 2025. This bold expansion delivers nonstop sports conversation, expert analysis, and fan engagement across all major platforms. The new programming lineup features a mix of established voices and rising stars, giving listeners access to compelling content around the clock. The Jim Rome Show will remain in its prime 3 pm – 6 pm ET weekday sl
Houston-area health officials warn of sharp rise in whooping cough cases
Houston health officials are sounding the alarm over a dramatic spike in whooping cough cases, with over 3,500 reported across Texas this year.
STEM Center launches free, open-source science curriculum for Missouri middle schools
The Kummer Center for STEM Education at Missouri S&T is now offering a free, open-source science curriculum for sixth- through eighth-grade educators across Missouri. The curriculum project began with the STEM Center’s first Rigorous Curriculum Cohort in 2022, when middle school teachers from
Arts and entertainment events happening December 18th-21st across the Mid-Ohio Valley
Lyndsay Dennis joins Daybreak to discuss what’s happening December 18th-21st across the Mid-Ohio Valley!
Among sports crossover pols, Tuberville still standing: Down in Alabama
Listen to "Down in Alabama" wherever you get your podcasts.
4-acre entertainment district to be built in downtown Tampa
The developer behind Water Street Tampa is bringing a live music venue with retail and a hotel to a lot across from Benchmark International Arena.
4-acre entertainment district to be built in downtown Tampa
The developer behind Water Street Tampa is bringing a live music venue with retail and a hotel to a lot across from Benchmark International Arena.
FanDuel and FanDuel Sports Network Launch Bet Tracking Across Select NBA and NHL Games
FanDuel and Main Street Sports Group, owner of FanDuel Sports Network, the largest holder of local sports media rights, announce the launch of Bet ...
Season’s Greetings 2025 from Amer Sports
As we wrap up another remarkable year, we’re excited to share a special Season’s Greetings video featuring team members from across Amer Sports. In this short film, they reflect on memorable moments…
'Silver tsunami' of retiring business owners leaves Main Streets at a crossroads
Michigan still adds more businesses than it loses, but business is slowing down as nearly 1 in 4 proprietors reach retirement age.
NU administration addresses employee concerns about health care shift at special Faculty Senate meeting
Following Northwestern’s announcement that UnitedHealthcare will replace Blue Cross Blue Shield as the University’s employee health care administrator, human resources representatives fielded faculty concerns at a special Faculty Senate meeting Thursday. The University announced June 12 that all medical plans for NU faculty and staff will be administered by UnitedHealthcare starting Jan. 1, 2026. Faculty...
Chicago Bears announce Stewarts’ Cheesecakes as final 2025 Small Business All-Pros Winner, presented by PNC
The Chicago Bears are proud to announce Stewarts’ Cheesecakes as the fourth and final recipient of the 2025 Small Business All-Pros presented by PNC. From Dec. 17 through Jan. 12, the family-owned bakery will receive Chicago Bears led promotion across the
A new era for sports communication at UNC Hussman | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
As director of UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Focus Program, Distinguished Associate Professor of Sports Communication Livis Freeman is building on the work of the school’s legendary Distinguished Professor for Sports Communication John Sweeney. Sweeney, who retired last year, developed one of the most respected sports communication programs in the country. Freeman, now in his 12th year at the school, is launching an ambitious expansion of the program that is transforming how UNC prepares students for careers in sports media. The most visible change came this fall with a reimagining of “MEJO 377: Sports Communication.” Previously offered as two sections with 30 students each, the course expanded to 96 students and welcomed former UNC basketball star and NBA veteran Tyler Hansbrough as the co-instructor with Freeman, bringing real world professional experience directly into the classroom every week. The course has been a huge success. Students have participated in recording a podcast with Hansbrough and learned from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Steve Kirschner, UNC’s senior associate director of athletics for communications, was the first in the course’s guest speaker series, followed by UNC Hussman alumni including Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23 from Bleacher Report, Deaton Bell ’90 from Turner Sports and Becca Royer ’19 from the Philadelphia 76ers. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, also shared his insights with the class. The highlight of the semester came when Roy Williams, who coached Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009, visited the classroom. Former UNC men’s basketball players Luke Maye and Marcus Ginyard showed up to support their former coach and Hansbrough, creating an unforgettable experience as Williams entertained students with stories and insights that captivated the room. Student demand has been overwhelming. The course reached capacity within two days of registration opening, with more than 40 students on the waitlist. “Students want to learn from people who have actually lived these experiences,” Freeman said. “Tyler shares insights into media relations, broadcast production and athlete communications that you simply can’t get from a textbook.” The model proved so successful that the school secured funding to continue it for the next five years, with a different former professional athlete co-teaching each fall. The school’s curriculum committee approved a proposal to expand the course to 150 to 200 students starting in fall 2026. This change will make it an introductory course accessible to students from across the University, transforming it into a showcase course for the entire campus. The course redesign represents just one piece of a broader sports communication program overhaul. This fall, the curriculum committee approved “MEJO 390: Sports Play by Play,” the first course of its kind at UNC. Limited to 10 advanced students, the course will be taught by Matt Krause, the current voice of UNC women’s basketball and an ACC Network broadcaster. Students will call actual games across multiple sports including women’s softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as men’s soccer and lacrosse. They will also shadow broadcasts of men’s and women’s basketball games. “The sports broadcasting industry is exploding with streaming platforms and conference networks creating unprecedented demand,” Freeman said. The course emerged directly from student advocacy, led by Anna Laible ’26 and others who pushed for hands-on broadcasting experience. Professional equipment has been acquired, partnerships with UNC Athletics are in place and a soft launch began this semester with three experienced students calling games to test the system. The program’s growth extends into other specialized areas as well. Last spring, Stembler Professor Charlie Tuggle launched a new sports event management and hospitality course in partnership with On Location, a company that manages major sporting event experiences. The course provided students with opportunities to travel to the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, and Tuggle plans to take a group to the 2026 Milan Olympics this spring. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Associate Professor Ryan Thornburg will debut a sports data visualization course, adding another dimension to the program’s skill-building offerings. The curriculum expansion reflects the increasingly diverse career paths available in sports media, from traditional journalism and broadcasting to digital analytics and strategic communication. The program is also diving into one of college athletics’ most transformative developments: Name, Image and Likeness rights. Freeman’s “MEJO 466: Sports Marketing” class collaborated last spring with Associate Professor Gary Kayye’s “MEJO 371: Advertising Creative” class on a project with UNC’s Carolina NIL group to help rebrand their organization. That same semester, Kayye’s class envisioned Chapel Thrill, UNC football’s new pregame concert and entertainment experience. And Shaun Anderson, the school’s Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media, continues to explore the broader implications of NIL through his research and teaching. These NIL-focused initiatives give students direct exposure to the business side of college athletics at a moment when the landscape is rapidly evolving. “Our students aren’t just learning about these changes,” Freeman said. “They’re actively helping shape how schools and athletes navigate them.” The transformation of UNC Hussman’s sports communication program reflects a broader philosophy about how to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing industry. By bringing in professional practitioners like Hansbrough and Krause, partnering with industry leaders like On Location and ACC Network, and engaging with current issues like NIL, the program ensures students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. For alumni who remember the foundations John Sweeney built, the expansion represents an evolution rather than a departure. The program still emphasizes strong reporting, strategic communication, ethical communication and critical thinking. But now it also offers students the chance to call live games, work on real NIL campaigns and learn directly from former professional athletes. “We’re not just teaching students about sports media,” Freeman said. “We’re giving them the tools, experiences and connections to actually build careers in it.” With new courses launching, professional partnerships deepening and enrollment expanding, UNC Hussman’s sports communication program is positioning itself as a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports media professionals. For current students, the message is clear: if you’re interested in sports communication, there’s never been a better time to be at UNC Hussman. And for the hundreds of students trying to get off waitlists and into these new courses, the school is working to create more opportunities. The program John Sweeney built is growing in ways that honor his legacy while meeting the demands of a new era in sports media.
MSU ranks in top 7% for interdisciplinary science
Among 991 institutions across 94 countries, MSU ranked No. 56 globally. MSU’s worldwide rank places the university at No. 20 out of 47 participating U.S universities and No. 19 out of the 28 participating Association of American Universities.
NYC ‘science of reading’ initiative: How a Staten Island school is leading the way
A 10-hour course for educators creates a common language for teaching phonemic awareness across all grade levels.
Movies and TV shows casting across the US
Backstage compiled a list of movies and TV shows casting across the US.
UVA Health expands services in Zion Crossroads
UVA Health is expanding its health care services in Zion Crossroads, just off exit 136 on I-64, adding 50,000 appointments.
North Texas health officials urge flu shots as new mutation spreads
Doctors are seeing a slight uptick in the number of positive flu cases across North Texas, largely due to a new mutation known as “subclade K."
Impact Awards Commend UT Health Science Excellence Across State
"'The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is,'" said Vice Chancellor Cindy Russell, PhD, quoting Jim Carrey.
Norovirus cases rising across LA County, health department says
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said cases of the highly contagious norovirus are on the rise.
Dunn Economic Development announces recipients of Dunn County Small Business Development Grant
The grant has been awarded to 27 small businesses and startups across Dunn County.
Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity
This analysis examines how people of color fare compared to White people across 64 measures of health, health care, and social determinants of health using the most recent data available from federal surveys and administrative sets as well as the 2023 KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health.
I’ve been waiting years for Animal Crossing’s best new features
Update 3.0 is for the decorators.
Here Are The ‘ARC Raiders’ Cold Snap 1.7.0 Patch Notes, Plus ‘The Finals’ Crossover
The ARC Raiders Cold Snap patch is about to drop, and here are the patch notes of what's coming with the game's biggest update so far.
How rising health care costs are affecting Texans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is dropping UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Services as in-network for one of its HMO plans.
Science Crossword: Pointing South
Play this crossword inspired by the January 2026 issue of Scientific American.