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Conor McGregor Says Max Holloway Fight Should Be No Contest
UFC superstar Conor McGregor says that the result of his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 should be overturned to a No Contest.McGregor was stopped just 69 seconds into the main event of UFC 329 when his knee gave out on him, and referee Mike Beltran stepped in and called an end to the […] The post Conor McGregor Says Max Holloway Fight Should Be No Contest appeared first on HEAVY.
Heat Receive Major Klay Thompson Update Amid LeBron Watch
An NBA insider shared a major update on Klay Thompson as the Heat remain interested while monitoring LeBron James. The post Heat Receive Major Klay Thompson Update Amid LeBron Watch appeared first on HEAVY.
Bills Claim Recently Cut Jets WR Off Waivers Before Camp
The Buffalo Bills have claimed a former New York Jets wide receiver off waivers before training camp. The post Bills Claim Recently Cut Jets WR Off Waivers Before Camp appeared first on HEAVY.
Avalanche’s Opening-Night Record Stands Among NHL’s Best
With every team’s opening-night matchup for the 2026-27 season now official, it’s a good time to look back at the […] The post Avalanche’s Opening-Night Record Stands Among NHL’s Best appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.
Rui Hachimura Reveals What Clippers Do Better Than Lakers
Formerly popular Los Angeles Lakers star Rui Hachimura made a bold move picking the rival Los Angeles Clippers over them in free agency. The Lakers opted to prioritize other free agents, and it became apparent that Hachimura would not be on the team for next season. However, no one expected him to pick the rival […] The post Rui Hachimura Reveals What Clippers Do Better Than Lakers appeared first on HEAVY.
Warriors Tabbed a LeBron James ‘Dark Horse’ Amid Increased Optimism
The Golden State Warriors are chasing star free agent LeBron James, but their status is up for debate as he nears a decision. The post Warriors Tabbed a LeBron James ‘Dark Horse’ Amid Increased Optimism appeared first on HEAVY.
NFL Coach Drops Honest Admission on Chargers' Justin Herbert
Despite prolific playmaking and elite physical tools, rival coordinators question the star quarterback’s maturity and operational mastery as he fights to secure his first playoff victory.
Chico City Council moves forward with proposed entertainment zones ordinance
Seeking to revitalize local businesses, the Chico City Council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of a proposed ordinance establishing two entertain
Lowcountry business creates new job opportunities for locals, veterans
Sterling Helicopter plans to open its first South Carolina operation in Beaufort County this September.
Lowcountry business creates new job opportunities for locals, veterans
Sterling Helicopter plans to open its first South Carolina operation in Beaufort County this September.
Debate over horse-drawn carriages in NYC goes back decades
An outright ban was first proposed by Council Member Tony Avella in 2007.
Harvard scientists detect atmosphere on distant ‘Earth-like’ planet
The first-of-its-kind discovery is expected to set off a search for signs of life.
Skullcandy’s bass-boosting Crusher headphones now come with Bose’s ANC
Skullcandy’s new headphones are the first to feature a collection of Bose’s technologies.
Scientists finally solved how a common gut bacterium triggers colon cancer
Researchers solved a long-standing mystery behind how a bacterial toxin associated with colorectal cancer damages the colon. The toxin first binds to a receptor called claudin-4, giving it access to attack the cells' protective barrier. After identifying this weak point, the team designed a decoy protein that successfully blocked the toxin in mice. The discovery could pave the way for new therapies to prevent inflammation and colon tumors.
CrashStealer Malware Impersonates Apple Tool to Steal Mac Passwords and Crypto
Mac users should watch out for macOS malware called CrashStealer, according to Jamf Threat Labs. The malware impersonates Apple's crash reporting framework, and it's meant to steal all kinds of sensitive information. CrashStealer collects browser data, password manager data, cryptocurrency wallet extensions, and keychain data, and Jamf first noticed it circulating in a fake Apple-notarized app called Werkbit.
90-year-old Boise business acquired by Minnesota firm
A Minnesota company has acquired a 90-year-old Boise business. Loffler Companies of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, purchased Fisher’s Technologies of Garden City, the companies announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Fisher’s Office Equipment first opened in Downtown Boise with an office on 9th St., later moving to the Union Block building on Idaho […]
OpenAI Just Launched Its First Hardware Product—and It’s a Tiny Keyboard for Bossing Around AI Agents
The AI company teamed up with Work Louder on a programmable keyboard designed specifically for Codex.
SF supes give final OK to cannabis cafes to offer food, drinks and entertainment
San Francisco may become the first city in the Bay Area to license cannabis cafes that will allow consumers to enjoy food, beverages and live San Francisco supervisors gave final approval to cannabis cafes that can serve food, beverages and entertainment alongside onsite cannabis consumption, pending the mayor’s signature.
The States Try to Topple WarnerMount…Thus Begins the Local Antitrust Era
(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.) Well, it looks like it’s time for another strategy column. Can I finally avoid writing about M&A? No, it seems I cannot. Admittedly, I’m a week early with this column, since I usually put it out every other week. But this news couldn’t wait. This will make three “Most Important Stories” in a row with a merger or acquisition as its centerpiece. First, Roku-Fox (an acquisition), then Comcast-NBCUniversal (a divestment!), and now the State AGs and the WGA’s lawsuits against Paramount’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery (antitrust). M&A is usually the “most important” topic any given week, simply because a giant company merging or breaking up (or preventing those outcomes) can have the biggest impact on the streaming board. If you think about these companies as players in a game, changing the number of players is one of the biggest changes you can make. I shouldn’t really complain, either, since this lawsuit is very good news for customers and suppliers (econ speak for talent, workers and indie studios in Hollywood). So let me answer some questions about this potential trial, along with (shudder) making some heavily caveated predictions. I’ll also look at whether Hollywood must consolidate, whether or not the states can win, trouble at X-Box, Netflix’s YouTube binge, and more. Plus, I have five images that visualize this merger and the harm, including three brand new data looks you’ve never seen before. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Can The States and the WGA Stop Hollywood’s Consolidation (Crisis)? If every other newsletter and news outlet is writing about the same story, I try to avoid writing about it as well, but I can’t ignore a story this consequential. The story of the last year was the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery, and this development potentially extends that saga into 2027. As I tried to figure out my angle, I realized, like my last column, I’m again faced with a series of questions. These questions, though, are much more forward-looking. Will the states win? Will the WGA win? If so, what happens to Warner Bros. Discovery? Either way, will this chill the market for future mergers? So you know what that means: predictions. About the future, no less, the hardest thing to predict.1 Just remember: nothing here comes with a guarantee. And the more confident someone is in their predictions, the less you should trust them. This situation is incredibly fluid, nuanced, uncertain and tenuous. So let’s try to explain what may happen. Question: Why File this Lawsuit? I’ll admit, a few months back, I was fairly pessimistic about the fate of this lawsuit. Rumors had started bubbling up that the state Attorneys General (in particular California) wanted to settle with either some minor divestments (usually CNN) or behavioral remedies. And that tracked for me: the states usually settle lawsuits, like the recent John Deere right-to-repair suit. Yet, they plan to fight this. (As they did the LiveNation-Ticketmaster monopolization trial and the Nexstar-Tegna merger.) Honestly, that also makes a ton of sense. Frankly, this move is just good politics for these State AGs. Most are still running for higher and higher office in blue states—some folks have emphasized that only Democratic AGs joined this suit, but given the Ellison/Trump ties, and fears of retribution, that tracks—and a high profile case like this will help them move up the electoral ladder, especially since Paramount and its leadership (the Ellisons, father and heir) have sided with the other side of the political aisle. That makes them unsympathetic to Democratic voters and Hollywood workers in particular. Why did this lawsuit happen? In addition to the very real concerns about industry consolidation, this is why. That said, I don’t think we would have seen this lawsuit for Netflix and Warner Bros., simply because they’re more sympathetic and aligned with Democrats. But those consolidation concerns are real. The “town”—meaning Hollywood and such—really is seeing the damage of mergers on this industry. That’s why the WGA also filed its own lawsuit in defense of workers as well. (Wildcard: What about Europe? Will they try to stop the deal, too? There have been some rumors out of the UK they may try to fight the deal, and UK enforcers just stopped a Getty Images-Shutterstock tie up, so there is precedence. This argument could go either way, though. On one hand, the EU doesn’t need to step in, cause they states are handling it. On the other hand, this could make the EU’s case easier. Just imagine if both sides coordinated. I’ll simply say, “We’ll see!”) Question: Will The State AGs or the WGA Win? Can the state AGs play David to Paramount-Skydance’s Goliath here? That’s really the whole thing, isn’t it? If you know this result, you could make a lot of money. When things are uncertain, it’s tempting to shrug and say, “Eh” meaning it’s a 50/50 proposition. I wouldn’t, though. When in doubt, you should expect that the merging parties succeed. AT&T did successfully buy Warner Bros., after all, and Disney bought Fox without any challenges. Many judges are extremely sympathetic to mergers, and I’d bet the state AGs get a judge who will allow the merger. (Even Obama-appointed judges often allow mergers.) As I understand it, we’ll see two main attacks. First, theatrical films. The AGs are arguing that, when it comes to share of box office and the number of both “wide releases” and blockbuster (or “tentpole”) films, the merging parties will have over 27% market share. Now, the Supreme Court once ruled from on high that any merger that exceeds 30% is presumptively illegal, but that’s guidance, not an ironclad bar. Still, the states will have to argue that this is close to having too much power, and with that power, this will likely further worsen the theater/studio splits in particular. Indeed, as Matthew Stoller pointed out, “just five studios are responsible for 95% of all blockbusters; if this merger goes through, then Paramount and Disney will control 60% of that.” So yes, movie studios will be very concentrated after this merger. Want me to visualize some of that? Well, here’s the share of films that grossed over $200 million at the domestic box office since 2022. (Note: this isn’t all films released in over 3,000 screens, but it is a good look at market power.) First, here are the 43 films by studio: Notice all the blue (Disney), orange (Universal), and purple (Warner Bros)? Yeah, those studios are powerful, and this combines Paramount with one of them. Here’s the look by studio and share of the films that grossed over $200 million: Now, if you look at that and also think, “Huh, should we break up Disney?” I’m with you. I’ve seen some folks poo-poo this idea that this is a real category, but it is! For an upcoming article, I’ve been pulling data on the share of top 100 films at the box office as a share of total box office, and it’s massive. Here’s the chart: (This analysis looks at The-Number’s top 100 films and total domestic box office each year.) To be clear, tentpoles make up 80.7% of the box office each year, so I do think it’s a genuine market. (To be clear, films grossing over $50 million make up 80% of the domestic box office, and films grossing over $100 million make up 64.1%.) I mean, the top 100 films at the box office make up 95% of each year’s grosses. Worse, the combined studios will likely cut output to flex that market power. Everyone can just look at what happened to Disney and Fox to see the precedent. (With fewer films, the remaining theaters have to give more for those few films that remain.) Here’s an image I’ve used a lot, the share of wide-release films from Disney and Fox over time: The AGs will also argue that this consolidation will also impact the cable industry. In this case, the consolidation is actually worse, but that environment is…complicated. Paramount will argue that the cable industry is shrinking. That said, predictions that cable will “go to zero” also don’t look very well supported by the data, as the declines are shrinking, meaning “cable” or “vMVPDs” will likely stabilize at some point. Can the state Attorneys General win on those two main arguments? I honestly don’t know. Again, I’d bet no, since history in general supports that, but it depends on the judge/jury and how they interpret the arguments. Notably, Paramount won’t face accusations about monopoly power in other areas, like streaming, news, sports rights, or vertical integration. I tend to disagree with leaving out sports rights, but I also see the appeal for a simpler case. The states also aren’t really pushing novel theories about labor harm either, which should help. (By the way, Sean McNulty at The Ankler wrote a great run through of potential options, and Capitol Forum also wrote a great paper on theatrical consolidation. Both these pieces predated the lawsuit. Matthew Stoller is also out with his analysis of the pros and cons of the case too.) In some ways, the WGA’s case is even stronger. Quoting Sean McNulty’s summary: “The WGA is citing WARNAMOUNT as crossing a 30% market share in multiple sectors, a number that the Supreme Court has precedent for deeming “presumptively anticompetitive” in a market. According to the WGA numbers, WARNAMOUNT would have represented: - 35% of film writing jobs between 2021 and 2024 - 36% of TV writing projects between 2022 and 2025 - 38% of overall deals between 2021 and 2024” Notably, antitrust enforcers did win recently in the Penguin-Simon & Schuster merger by focusing on labor impact, so don’t count this thinking out. (Wildcard: Will the states try to get a jury trial? Most likely no, they’ll let a judge handle it. If I’m them, though, I’d try to put this in front of a jury. Juries tend to understand monopoly power in a more realistic way than judges faced with legions of economists.) Question: What if They Win? What if They Lose?
Iran, Epstein, Space Travel: 5 Takeaways From JD Vance’s Interview With Joe Rogan
In his first on-air conversation with the popular podcaster since 2024, the vice president cautiously defended the Iran war while also hinting at skepticism about it.
Business Engagement Strategies to Advance Employment
Achieving Employment First goals requires strong partnerships with the business community.Hosted by the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability in Cornell University’s ILR School, this webinar will explore practical business engagement strategies that help state agencies, employment service providers, and workforce partners build pathways toward meaningful relationships with employers while advancing competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities.Participants will:
Trump’s foreign policy is to try to get America paid
Analysis: President Donald Trump ran for office promising to put America First. He has governed with an eye toward getting America paid.
Essential Strategies for New Science Facilities
First-time lab developers succeed not by intentionally building flexible, partnership-driven discovery ecosystems.
Laredo hosts first Port Laredo Global Trade Summit
Business and government leaders gathered in Laredo for the inaugural Port Laredo Global Trade Summit focused on trade, infrastructure and logistics.
The 2024 New York City meteorite contains amino acids
The brine-formed meteorite that crashed into a New Jersey roof in 2024 could teach us about how life first arrived on Earth.
Orange-lipped monkey that roars and snorts deep in Congo rainforest is new species to science
A striking new monkey species, Colobus congoensis, was discovered deep in the Congo rainforest and has been scientifically described for the first time.
Warriors GM Sends Roster Message on Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors are still rounding out the roster, but GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. explained how Stephen Curry factors into decisions. The post Warriors GM Sends Roster Message on Stephen Curry appeared first on HEAVY.
Viking Project
NASA’s Viking Project found a place in history when it became the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft safely on the surface of Mars and return images of
Google releases first Pixel 11 teaser and shows Pixel Glow [Video]
Following the event announcement last week, Google today released the first Pixel 11 teaser. We are just under a month...
Jalen Brunson to Join Variety’s Inaugural Sports & Entertainment Studio in New York
Variety is bringing its acclaimed Sports & Entertainment franchise to New York City in its first-ever interview studio featuring conversations with the voices shaping the future of the sports and ente...
In a First, Scientists Witness the Seafloor Spread in Real Time, Giving Them a Rare Glimpse at a Mysterious Geologic Process
Across a matter of days in 2024, the seafloor in part of the Indian Ocean dropped by about 13 feet, and roughly 5.7 billion cubic feet of molten rock rose to the crust's surface, according to a new study
OpenAI's first branded hardware is... a light-up keyboard?
The Codex Micro is designed to monitor multiple agentic threads at a glance.
Rangers games to stream on new platform Bzzr
The Texas Rangers and Rangers Sports Network presented by Progressive (RSN) on Wednesday announced BZZR (pronounced ‘buzzer’), the first verified all-sports digital and content platform, as the new direct-to-consumer distributor for the club’s televised game broadcasts. The broadcasts will no longer be available on former provider Victory+, effective immediately. “When
From The Sports Desk: Argentina, England renew bitter rivalry in World Cup semifinals
Argentina is the defending World Cup champion and England is looking for its first title since 1966. The winner will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Experts Debate How MAHA Is Reshaping Food Science and Regulation
Experts at IFT FIRST examined how the MAHA movement is influencing food regulation, ingredient reformulation, consumer expectations, and food science.
Imax, Goer Dynamics Partner on In-Car Entertainment System for China
Imax and Goer Dynamics are developing the world's first Imax-branded in-vehicle entertainment system, set to enter production in China this year.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Diving into the 2026 county workforce report; downtown development signs first retail client
Jessica M. Pasko crunches the latest county jobs numbers, notes Bookie's Pizza's impending move to a new Pacific Avenue development and highlights other local comings and goings in her latest business roundup.
SEGA’s “Legendary” Games Are Coming To NVIDIA RTX Spark 30 Years After NV1 Powered The First Virtua Fighter on PC
NVIDIA & SEGA are celebrating 30 years of collaboration, as SEGA's "Legendary" gaming titles are announced for RTX Spark PCs.
India's ICICI Prudential Life reports quarterly profit jump on strong premium growth
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance reported a 27.8% rise in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, supported by strong premium growth from its high-margin products.
Sabres Troll Red Wings, Other NHL Teams
The post Sabres Troll Red Wings, Other NHL Teams appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now. One year removed from a 14-year postseason drought, the Buffalo Sabres decided to remind the Detroit Red Wings which team […] The post Sabres Troll Red Wings, Other NHL Teams appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
The Mac Speaks: ‘We’ll Be Back!‘
Don’t give up hope on Conor McGregor just yet. For the first time since his disastrous UFC 329 leg injury (not the broken leg from five years ago) suffered versus Max Holloway, McGregor has gotten in front of a camera and addressed fans directly. On his 38th birthday, McGregor shares a sip of his energy […]
Giants Trade Pitch Deals Disappointing Former 1st-Round Pick
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton predicts the New York Giants will trade cornerback and former 1st-round pick Deonte Banks. The post Giants Trade Pitch Deals Disappointing Former 1st-Round Pick appeared first on HEAVY.
Astronomers Detect the First True Sugar in Interstellar Space
The discovery hints that life’s ingredients may form before planets exist.
Daniel Cormier Explains Why Brock Lesnar Fight Didn’t Happen
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier explained why a fight against Brock Lesnar inside the Octagon never happened.Cormier and Lesnar came close to fighting back in 2019. After Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic to win the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 226 in July 2018, Lesnar entered the Octagon and challenged Cormier for the heavyweight […] The post Daniel Cormier Explains Why Brock Lesnar Fight Didn’t Happen appeared first on HEAVY.
Texas Makes Announcement Featuring Arch Manning
The college football season is approaching quickly, and the Texas Longhorns are one of the most intriguing teams entering 2026.Head coach Steve Sarkisian has assembled a roster loaded with talent. However, quarterback Arch Manning remains the team’s biggest storyline as he enters his fourth season with the program.This will be just Manning’s second year as […] The post Texas Makes Announcement Featuring Arch Manning appeared first on HEAVY.
Red Wings-Stars Whopper Could Be Trade to Watch
The Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars might just have a stunner of a deal to keep an eye as the summer unfolds. The post Red Wings-Stars Whopper Could Be Trade to Watch appeared first on HEAVY.
Israel Adesanya Plays Matchmaker for Conor McGregor’s Return
UFC Hall of Famer Israel Adesanya played matchmaker for Conor McGregor’s return fight when he recovers from his knee injury.McGregor’s comeback to the UFC after five years away from the Octagon lasted just 69 seconds when he lost via injury TKO due to a knee injury in his UFC 329 main event bout against Max […] The post Israel Adesanya Plays Matchmaker for Conor McGregor’s Return appeared first on HEAVY.
Sweden's Neko Health raises $700 million ahead of US launch
Stockholm-based Neko Health, a technology firm focused on the prevention and early detection of disease, said on Wednesday it has raised $700 million in a Series C funding round ahead of the launch of its first U.S. clinic later this year.
Cease, bullpen combine on 3-hitter in AL’s 4-0 win over NL
Cease, bullpen combine on 3-hitter in AL’s 4-0 win, first All-Star shutout since 2013
Delaware County business owner throws out ceremonial first pitch ahead of All-Star Game
Shana Pistilli, the owner and founder of the Rubato School of Music, won the 2026 MLB and Mastercard Small Business Contest on Friday.
Raiders Get Strong Fernando Mendoza Take From Former NFL Coach
The Las Vegas Raiders have a decision on their hands with training camp nearing, and that’s whether the Silver and Black should go with veteran Kirk Cousins or hand the keys to the franchise over to Fernando Mendoza.Having Cousins start the season can allow Las Vegas to bring Mendoza along slowly. Nonetheless, one former NFL […] The post Raiders Get Strong Fernando Mendoza Take From Former NFL Coach appeared first on HEAVY.
76ers Get Good News as LeBron James Decision Time Nears
The 76ers’ pursuit of LeBron James appears to have gained momentum as a new ESPN report offers a telling update. The post 76ers Get Good News as LeBron James Decision Time Nears appeared first on HEAVY.
Watch Eternal Founder Goyal Bets on Health Tech, Aerospace
India's quick commerce billionaire Deepinder Goyal is planning to launch his first product after stepping back from the empire he led for 18 years. Goyal says Temple, a wearable device worn on the side of the forehead, will retail for about one-thousand U-S dollars. The founder of Eternal Limited, which counts quick delivery apps Zomato and Blinkit under its umbrella, spoke with Bloomberg's Haslinda Amin in an exclusive interview at his private residence in New Delhi.
All-Star Game Discussion
Starting pitcher for the AL is Toronto’s Dylan Cease, the first Blue Jay to do so since 2009, when Roy Halladay did so. On the mound for the NL will be Cristopher Sánchez of the hometown Phillies. Weirdly, the last Phillies pitcher to start the All-Star Game was… Roy Halladay, in 2011. This is the […]
Communicating Science in a Skeptical World
Food science leaders at IFT FIRST explain how empathy, storytelling, and social media can counter misinformation and build trust in food innovation.
Lakers’ Signing One of ‘Worst Contracts’ in Free Agency
The Los Angeles Lakers will look very different next season after losing multiple key players in free agency this summer. One new addition to the Lakers’ squad is former Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. He secured a four-year, $129.5 million with Los Angeles as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Jazz. The contract is a […] The post Lakers’ Signing One of ‘Worst Contracts’ in Free Agency appeared first on LA Sports Report.
OpenAI's first hardware device is reportedly a screenless speaker that can move
OpenAI's first hardware device is reported to be a screenless, AI-guided smart speaker that can move. Weird enough for you?
Heart surgeon makes history, performs first robotic procedure of its kind
A surgeon in Michigan has performed the world’s first single-port robotic mitral valve repair.
New York becomes first state to freeze new AI data centers in move critics warn could drive away jobs
Dem Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the nation's first statewide moratorium on new AI data centers while officials develop new environmental standards.
OpenAI's First Device Will Be Movable, Screenless Speaker Built as AI Companion
(Bloomberg) -- OpenAI's much-anticipated push into consumer devices is slated to begin with a mobile, screen-free smart speaker designed to be a new type of home computer for the AI era, according to people familiar with the matter.Most Read from BloombergUS Hits Iran With Strikes, Blockade as Trump Plans Hormuz ChargeTrump Shelves 20% Fee for Hormuz Cargo After Gulf PressureA Cocaine Bust in Spain Leads All the Way to Wall StreetUS CPI Falls for the First Time Since 2020, Core Gauge Flat'We Fal
Fort Pierre couple’s love of math, science, engineering still inspiring South Dakota youth
For Gary and Connie Grittner, investing in young people has always been about creating opportunities that can change the course of a life. Gary knows this firsthand. As a young teen, he attended a summer science camp that sparked his own interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). That experience led him to pursue his doctorate in chemistry and reinforced his belief that exposing students to STEM at an early age can shape their futures. [ ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/alleged-cryptocurrency-conman-released) [ Alleged cryptocurrency conman released pending fraud trial ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/alleged-cryptocurrency-conman-released) Jonathan Ellis · 11:03 AM [ Read full story ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/alleged-cryptocurrency-conman-released)
Sports Medicine’s new game plan
The University of North Dakota’s first-of-its kind Center for Sports Medicine adjusts to its new digs on the north end of campus
Window World 450 Race Week Entertainment: Hauler Parade, Trackside Live, Driver Autographs & Live Music
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — When race fans from around the world arrive for the first NASCAR Cup points race in 30 years at North Wilkesboro Speedway, they'll find four days of entertainment off the track before the green flag drops for the Window World 450 on July 19. Race week will include a Cup Series …
Takeaways from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh’s first congressional testimony
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh on Tuesday offered his most detailed account yet of the sweeping changes he’s ushering in at America’s central bank and the philosophy behind them.
Winder Garden commission considers business tax increase
The City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance that would increase the local business tax rates by 5%.
Straight to business from Kylian Mbappé as France concedes first
Straight to business from Kylian Mbappé as France concedes first
County business park to get first infrastructure, new name
New Hanover County’s Holly Shelter Business Park could be getting its first infrastructure and a new name in the coming months. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $6.5 million infrastructure construction contract and renaming on Monday. Once developed, the approximately 300-acre master-planned industrial park is expected to accommodate more than 2 million square feet of industrial space. The construction contract was awarded to Carolina Civilworks, which submitted the lowest responsive bid for the construction of the infrastructure, Akin Akinola, the county’s engineer, told commissioners on Monday. In May 2023, the county approved a development agreement with Sidbury Land & Property Company to establish the business park. The firm then conveyed approximately 52 acres to the county, giving officials the option to purchase another 200 acres, Akinola said. “The county’s role is to construct the initial public infrastructure that will make the site ready for future development,” he said. “Today’s contract award represents the first major construction phase of that project.” The first phase of development will include approximately 2,750 linear feet of business park roadway, a water main and fire hydrants, along with a sanitary sewer pump station, sewer force main and gravity sewer. Other infrastructure will include a right-turn lane on Holly Shelter Road, along with associated drainage, utilities and traffic control improvements. “Completing this work establishes the backbone infrastructure necessary to serve future development and positions the site for future economic investment,” Akinola said on Monday. County staff, in consultation with Wilmington Business Development officials, are also recommending renaming the park as the I-40 Coastal Commerce Park, said Jennifer Rigby, the county’s chief strategy officer. The new name would emphasize the park’s proximity to I-40 and its location on the coast, she said. Several county commissioners also asked to add New Hanover County's name to the business park's name to commemorate the county's contributions. “We are hoping to achieve space for our businesses to grow and expand here in New Hanover County,” Rigby said. “We’ve had great success with out Blue Clay Business Park and this is another opportunity to really provide locations for our businesses to grow and expand.”
47 revelatory hours with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
To review this month’s supposed remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, I must first correct the record. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced isn’t a game about pirates (and assassins) in the 18th century Caribbean. Sure, sure, that’s what the trailers would have you believe. They’ve go their clips of Edward Kenway swinging his swords and steering his pirate ship into cannon-blasting combat against British frigates. Is Resynced truly a pirate game? Of the 47 hours I spent playing Resynced over the past few weeks, I will admit I spent maybe 44 (?) of them collecting plunder with Blackbeard, drinking rum with Anne Bonny and debating the pros and cons of the lawless pirate-run settlement Nassau with Benjamin Hornigold. I may in fact have spent dozens of hours sailing to remote islands, reading treasure maps, opening messages left in bottles, sinking the odd Man o’ War with a well-timed broadside, collecting sea shanties for my crew, befriending a pet monkey, and hunting whales. I am nevertheless neither so Gullible nor so Narrow-Minded as to call the magnificent Resynced a “pirate remake.” Oh no. Forget any reviews of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced you may have read. Forget what you yourself may have played, if you’ve spent any time with the game since its launch. What Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is really about I’m here to give you the scoop (spoilers for Resynced’s Animus menu lore, which many players are probably not going to see): Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the new game whose development was led by Ubisoft Singapore, is set in the year 2096. It’s about a societal split, about revolution, about an old Assassin’s Creed adventure repurposed in the series’ distant future as propaganda or samizdat. It’s about the overheated future of 2096, essentially conquered by the series’ well-established nefarious Templar-run company Abstergo. (In this future, Abstergo is, among other things, remaking a 2013 pirate movie called Devils of the Caribbean, but this time in VR. The VR version will be backed by a marketing plan that involves AI influencers, a 10,000-avatar “metaverse premiere event” and that manufacturing of memes aimed at “50 million VR nodes.” See what I mean about Abstergo being evil?) Resynced is about a late 21st-century population mollified by the widespread use of Abstergo’s Animus devices which let people experience the lives of historical figures culled from “genetic memories.” It’s about an insurgent faction of Assassins. And it’s about a plan to wake the population into revolutionary fervor by showing them the memories of 18th century pirate Edward Kenway, who—as depicted in the original Black Flag and again in Resynced—gradually comes to an understanding about the Assassins of his day and their centuries old fight for freedom. Resynced is also about an AI developed within the late 21st-century Animus, called Ego. It has found a way to alter genetic memories, to create and show Animus users false ones. The game is about Ego’s efforts to tell the people experiencing Edward Kenway’s memories that Kenway was wrong, that fighting against order is folly, that we should crave a world where “compliance is rewarded with power.” Who are we in this game? We’re an unnamed Animus user in 2096 who experiences Kenway’s journey virtually. At four moments during Kenway’s exploits in the Caribbean our virtual jaunt can be interrupted for 10-15 minutes, as we explore Animus “rifts” where Ego explicitly tries to tell us how wrong Kenway was. None of this is what 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was about, of course. That was a different game, even if you also spent dozens of hours pirating as Kenway in that game, across missions and a map that’s been faithfully reintroduced and rebuilt for Resynced. The 2013 Black Flag was about you playing as an unnamed researcher newly hired in 2013 by Abstergo Entertainment, the video game development wing of the Templars’ evil-corp. In that game, you were assigned to use the Animus to dive into the genetic memories of Desmond Miles, a man who died in Assassin’s Creed III and who was descended from a long line of Assassins (and at least one Templar) whose adventures were featured across the prior AC games. In 2013’s Black Flag, your mission was to plumb the Edward Kenway experience for material that Abstergo could use in productions such as the motion picture Devils of the Caribbean, though the Templars had some ulterior motives for the assignment. Resynced is therefore not a remake of 2013’s Black Flag. It’s a sequel. It is a new game about a new exploration of Edward Kenway’s pirate/assassin journey, set 83 years after the framing sequences of the original game. Resynced provides a new narrative framework that, thanks to the concept of an AI that wants to alter historical memories, arrives with creative justification to tweak a now-classic 13-year old game. That makes Resynced, already a hot seller, a tantalizing hint of where Ubisoft could go with a line of Assassin’s Creed remakes. They could remake the first game, the Ezio games, even the recent ones set in ancient Egypt and Greece. And for each, they could not just modernize the graphics and controls but expand and alter their sequences of events to use them as reference points for a conflict set in the late 21st century, as rival factions try to weaponize historical memories. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, even when that work consists of ravings about Assassin’s Creed’s modern day plot, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe A story most players will probably miss If you didn’t know any of this, I’m not surprised. If you played the game and still didn’t catch it, I’m not a bit shocked. If Ubisoft has no plans to do more of this, I won’t fall down. Almost all of what I’ve described is optional and missable in Black Flag Resynced. I nearly missed it myself, as I planned for a breezy playthrough of an old Assassin’s Creed favorite. Instead, I found myself in a 40+ hour hunt for the “real” story, buried deeper in Resynced than any gold-filled chest. The story of 2096 is Resynced’s meta-story, told in two remote pockets of the game: 1) four optional playable “rifts” that players may find as they proceed through Resynced’s pirate fantasy , 2) in dozens of text files tucked three menus deep in the game’s barely-interactive Animus hub. Assassin’s Creed games have almost always had a meta-story about people in the 21st century (usually matching the game’s release year) and their connections to the main history portions you play. Those meta-stories have always been squeezed into the margins, though seldom as severely and as, uh, graphiaclly simple, as in recent games. Back in 2013, the modern-day exploits of you as an Abstergo Entertainment employee were prominent. They were portrayed via first-person portions that occasionally interrupted the third-person Kenway experience and could be explored for hours, complete with their own missions, side quests and puzzles. Resynced’s 2096 story—of Assassin “Watchers” vs. Abstergo/Tempar goons, of rogue AIs, of panicking scientists, of a woman wondering why her Animus-addicted husband is muttering about Mary Read (“What does he mean by Assassins?”), of a fight for the population’s hearts and minds via varying interpretations of Edward Kenway’s life choices—is mostly told through unlockable text files. The files are interesting. Offered via diary entries, intercepted chats and news reports, they present varied perspectives of a world in crisis. One set works as a narrative puzzle as it reveals the Rashomonic interpretations of a massacre, or was that a successful Assassin hit? Another favorite reveals the rising bitterness of a person who, through Edward Kenway’s journey, now shakes at the ignored evil around him. One surmises that Ubisoft is averse to putting the Assassin’s Creed’s meta-story in the way of more marketable pirate playgrounds and ninja/samurai epics. Instead, we get a better-than-nothing text-in-menus approach introduced in 2025’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In Shadows, players unlocked the meta-story text files largely via time-gated missions that called on the user to kill X number of enemy type Y, clear three enemy castles, re-win a three-phase fighting tournament, and other grinds. Time restrictions on accessing these missions and unlocking the files meant it could take players months to access the full story in-game. But even in the most hardcore Assassin’s Creed hangouts, the fanbase instead seemed to throw up their hands rather than grind to keep up. In Resynced, Ubisoft has shown some mercy, diminishing the amount of new text files that are tied to timed grinds. Now, most of the text-based 2096 lore are associated with “data file” collectibles that players can find in the world. That includes a batch of written entries that explain a historical link between the feudal Japan era in Shadows and the piracy adventures in Black Flag. Players who explore a lot will find dozens of data files, though the game does not appear to offer any in-game tracker for finding each one. You just need to keep looking for them. As of this writing, I have most of them, but not all. I can’t find any full guide for them online. And even Ubisoft’s optional $5 microtransaction that reveals lots of items in-game does not appear to reveal the locations of the text files (at least the official description omits them from its collectibles list). That’s not a huge bother, because tracking the data files down compelled me to re-explore the waves and islands of Black Flag. That was a thoroughly pleasant task to do for the first time in a dozen years. I expect many players, though, will be content to wait for the files to be reproduced in an online AC wiki somewhere, the easier to read on a web page. It may not seem enticing to play a video game in order to gradually unlock pages of text to read. Why not, you may ask, just read a book, where they put the pages in order? For one, they’ve not tucked this latest installment of Assassin’s Creed’s meta saga in a book. I also enjoy the unordered delivery, the dawning comprehension of a story about 2096’s desperate people and questionable tech, which I glimpsed first at its middle, then the end, then the front, then other moments in between1. I am also enamored with the idea of the Assassin’s Creed games I’ve previously played, including Black Flag, being repurposed for an information war. The ideas in Resynced’s meta-story, which builds off characters and ideas in Shadows’ chunks of text, are strong. The potential of where they could go with it is exciting. As for the pirate stuff? Looks great, controls pretty well, is fun to play and oh so speedy in terms of how much of a good time you can have with each sit-down. It never gets old to chase a new shanty page across a rooftop, bombard a fort with upgraded mortars or use a diving bell to explore sunken wrecks (hats off to the team at Ubisoft Barcelona that worked on the underwater portions in Resynced; that team is now facing layoffs, such is the misery of modern gaming and oft-troubled Ubisoft). New pirate missions in Resynced involving new ally characters are brief, dramatic and add more to Edward’s story, even if the gameplay perks they provide barely enhance the gameplay. A new denouement for high-class pirate Stede Bonnet is affecting; a new hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure is a welcome extra moment. A new epilogue to hunt down a pirate killer, on the other hand, over-complicates Kenway’s character. The ending credits remain my favorite of any game I’ve ever played. Black Flag provides great source material. The revisit is well-made and a great sign of what could be. It is offered in a different wrapper that hints at an opportunity for more interesting remakes to come, should Ubisoft choose to pursue such treasures—and as we brace to resist or comply with an Abstergo future. 1 The messages that Edward Kenway finds in bottles tell another out-of-order story, one about a man reckoning with the strange memories and voices he’s heard in his head since he was a boy. That tale was also in the 2013 game and develops into one of Black Flag’s most compelling character arcs. In Resynced, it has lost its climax, because the bottle story previously paid off in the halls of the first-person Abstergo Entertainment, which is exclusive to the older game. An altered resolution, written by the 2013 game’s lead writer is fine, doesn’t invalidate the 2013 version, but makes for an inferior final note.
Wall of Entertainment Taps Chronicle Media to Power Audience Discovery and Growth for Its First U.S. Series
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON, July 14, 2026--How do you find the exact viewers a new show is built for and turn them into a loyal, growing audience? That question is at the heart of a new multi-series partnership announced today between UK digital entertainment studio Wall of Entertainment and audience simulation platform Chronicle Media.
Wall of Entertainment Taps Chronicle Media to Power Audience Discovery and Growth for Its First U.S. Series
How do you find the exact viewers a new show is built for and turn them into a loyal, growing audience? That question is at the heart of a new multi-series p...
The celebrities who had to RSVP 'no' to Taylor Swift's wedding, from Shania Twain to Ryan Seacrest
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Astronauts take first X-rays in space
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macOS Golden Gate Public Beta: 10 Features to Try First
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Vieu Launches The World's First "Business Graph", Built For Agents And Humans
SEATTLE, July 14, 2026--Vieu's Business Graph maps global business relationships, powering enterprise scenarios like sales, marketing, talent, fundraising, and partnerships.
Fall sports updates and information
The fall sports season will be here before we know it! Here are some key summer details for students and families as we look forward to the coming season. Registration begins: High school football (grades 9-12): July 17 All other high school fall sports (grades 9-12): July 24 Modified football (grades 7-8): July 27 All other modified fall sports (grades 7-8): July 31 Please register via Final Forms. Sports physicals: All student-athletes interested in trying out for a fall sport must have an up-to-date physical submitted to Final Forms in advance of the first day of tryouts and practices. Families are encouraged to get a completed physical from their child's physician. If you are unable to get a physical from your child's physician, you can schedule a physical with Whitney Young's school-based health center by calling (518) 573-2556. Appointments will be available at Albany High School in room 4253 during July on the following dates: Thursday, July 16 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Again, you must call (518) 573-2556 to schedule your appointment and receive instructions. Whitney Young does require paperwork that must be filled out by the child's parent or guardian in order for them to be seen by the provider. Tryouts & practices begin: High school football (grades 9-12): Aug. 17 All other high school fall sports (grades 9-12): Aug. 24 Modified football (grades 7-8): Aug. 27 All other modified fall sports (grades 7-8): Aug. 31 High school student-athletes are encouraged to take part in our open gym sessions during July and August in preparation for the fall sports season. Stay tuned for fall practice schedules and competition schedules, which will be posted on our Athletics page! If you have additional questions, please contact the Athletics Department at (518) 475-6310. Let's go Falcons!
When will Jacob Misiorowski pitch nest for the Milwaukee Brewers?
Jacob Misiorowski won't appear in the All-Star Game or the first series after the break for the Brewers, but there isn't cause for alarm.
Astronomers detect sugar in interstellar space for the first time
Astronomers have detected a natural sugar found in raspberries in clouds of interstellar dust and gas near the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
Cody Bellinger Takes Subtle Shot at Yankees Teammate Aaron Judge
There could be trouble in paradise with the New York Yankees.New York has one of the top teams in the MLB this season, and that is without star hitter Aaron Judge on the injured list. However, despite Judge being considered one of, if not the best hitter in baseball, it appears his teammate, Cody Bellinger, […] The post Cody Bellinger Takes Subtle Shot at Yankees Teammate Aaron Judge appeared first on HEAVY.
Leonard Abramson, Health Care Innovator and Philanthropist, Dies at 93
He created U.S. Healthcare, one of the first H.M.O.s, and used his great wealth from the sale of the company for causes like advancing cancer research.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute Welcome First Patients at Melchiorre Cancer Center
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, officially welcomed its first patients today at the Melchiorre Cancer Center.
2026 NASCAR Odds: Denny Hamlin Favored For North Wilkesboro; Kyle Larson Second
NASCAR is heading to North Wilkesboro for the first points race at the track in 30 years. Who will take the checkered flag? Here are the early odds.
Apple releases the first iOS 27 public beta
Also, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 and tvOS 27 public betas. The previous beta versions were for developers only, this one is widely available.
New England Patriots Dealt Harsh Linebacker Verdict in NFL Rankings
The New England Patriots spent the past two seasons rebuilding a defense capable of carrying a contender.NFL evaluators still see a weakness right in the middle of it.No Patriots player appeared in ESPN’s ranking of the NFL’s top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2026. New England also failed to place anyone among the honorable mentions or […] The post New England Patriots Dealt Harsh Linebacker Verdict in NFL Rankings appeared first on HEAVY.
CBS Sports names Florida one of college football's biggest wild cards
Florida enters Jon Sumrall's first season with one of the widest ranges of outcomes in college football, according to CBS Sports.
Wichita Business Journal: Children's Mercy opens $18.3M outpatient pediatric clinic in northeast Wichita
By Jenna FarhatChildren's Mercy's first standalone clinic in Wichita is now open in a move that expands regional pediatric specialty healthcare.The 18,000 square-foot outpatient clinic, located on Greenwich Road near 29th Street, builds on the Kansas City-based pediatric health system's 14-year presence in Wichita. Children's Mercy will vacate i...
Guardians News: Three Positives From the Week of July 5th
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REELSHORT AND WWE® PARTNER TO BRING ORIGINAL LIVE-ACTION MICRODRAMA TO FANS WORLDWIDE
LOS ANGELES, CA — July 14, 2026 — ReelShort, the world's leading microdrama platform, and WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment, today announced a partnership to produce an original live-action microdrama, marking the first collaboration between a major sports and entertainment brand and a microdrama platform.
Richard Gere’s son takes first leading role after viral ‘Euphoria’ part
Homer Gere, the son of Richard Gere, takes his first leading role as a ‘psycho’ in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards.’ Watch the trailer for the high school serial killer drama.
Josh Hartnett teases ‘terrifying powers’ are at work in first look at supernatural thriller ‘Below’ (exclusive)
EW has your exclusive first look at Josh Hartnett and Charlie Heaton’s upcoming supernatural thriller ‘Below,’ created by Jesse McKeown: ‘The veil is thin here.’
Josh Hartnett and Jesse McKeown tease ‘strange events’ are unfolding in first look at mysterious thriller “Below” (exclusive)
The actor and creator tell EW all about the limited series, which follows a fisherman (Hartnett) as he fights to protect his community from a sea creature.
New York to become first state to enact AI data center moratorium
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Politics & Power: Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical calls on Catholics to put human dignity first in age of AI
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, challenges Catholics — and the world — to think carefully about how artificial intelligence is reshaping human life. Catholic leaders across the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond say the message is clear: technology must always serve people, not the other way around.
The city of Bismarck launches its first business pitch challenge
Local entrepreneurs can apply to win a $15,000 forgivable loan to help take their business to the next level
Factories Now Ready for iPhone 20's Glass Redesign, Leaker Claims
Facilities in Apple's supply chain have finished renovations ahead of "iPhone 20" production, according to a Weibo leaker who says Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone will move to an all-glass design. In a new post on Weibo, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said the "preferred approach" for the iPhone 20 is a return to glass, with manufacturing quality expected to land somewhere around that of the first-generation iPhone Air.
Google's Pixel Watch 5 finally breaks cover in new leaked renders
First leaked Pixel Watch 5 renders reveal Google's upcoming smartwatch in four distinct colors ahead of the August launch.
Corewell Health performs world's first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair
Corewell Health™ has successfully performed the world’s first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair, marking a major milestone in the evolution...
LeBron James Rumors: Free Agency Decision Could Be Coming Soon
The LeBron James rumors have run the NBA offseason for more than a week now. The entire league is on hold as the greatest player to ever play the sport makes his decision. The spotlight is on, but for how long? The King appears to be getting closer to making a final decision, and his […] The post LeBron James Rumors: Free Agency Decision Could Be Coming Soon appeared first on Stadium Rant.
Nike's Mule-ish Science Project Has Left the Lab
The Nike Mind 001 Mineral Slate translates Nike’s ambitious engineering concept into a truly wearable, lifestyle-first recovery shoe.
Average MLB fastball velocity is up for the 6th straight year to 94.7 mph
Four-seam fastballs averaged 94.7 mph through Saturday, up from 94.5 mph last year, 93.7 mph in 2021 and 91.9 mph when Major League Baseball first started tracking in 2008.
New York to impose country’s first statewide moratorium on data centers
New York will block the construction of any new large data centers for up to a year so the state can create a new set of rules.