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Reddit AMA: Ohtani's health, final NLCS roster decisions and more
MLB.com Dodgers beat reporter Sonja Chen took questions from fans in an r/Dodgers AMA on Friday. The full conversation can be viewed here, but below is a sampling of the best questions and answers, lightly edited for clarity.
Dr. Oz defends rural health care spending amid Medicaid cut questions
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sat down with reporter Molly Martinez, and the conversation grew heated over spending cuts.
Dr. Oz defends rural health care spending amid Medicaid cut questions
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sat down with reporter Molly Martinez, and the conversation grew heated over spending cuts.
Dr. Oz defends rural health care spending amid Medicaid cut questions
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sat down with reporter Molly Martinez, and the conversation grew heated over spending cuts.
Dr. Oz defends rural health care spending amid Medicaid cut questions
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sat down with reporter Molly Martinez, and the conversation grew heated over spending cuts.
Trump Casts Himself as Columbus’s Protector in Pitch to Italian Americans
President Trump sought to inject the Genoese explorer into the current political conversation.
Are colleges doing enough to support students' mental health? Join our live audience.
"Connections" goes on the road to The Little Theatre for a conversation about mental health on college and university campuses. We'd like you to join us.
First Look: Fantasia And Tank Celebrate The Power Of Faith In Tyler Perry’s ‘The Gospel Of Christmas’
In an exclusive conversation with ESSENCE, the film’s stars talk about sharing the screen with their musical heroes and the personal significance of the upcoming Netflix film.
Crypto billionaire seeking to reshape politics runs against zeitgeist — and donates to Sherrod Brown
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with him," Chris Larsen says of Brown, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio. "He is not anti-crypto.”
Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar
Oct. 8 - Veterans Coffee & Conversation at the Eagles Club - begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 - Merrill Chamber Annual Celebration and Awards Oct. 8 - Create, Paint, and Sip at Sunset Hollow Wine Bistro …
Iowa Stops Hunger recap: A conversation on campus hunger
Mallary Allen empathizes with students who struggle with food insecurity because she used to be one herself. When she was in college, she became a parent and used programs like SNAP and WIC. “It was kind of scary for me,” she said. “It would have been helpful, maybe, to share what I was going through,…
Emma Camp wants Gen Z to grow up
'Nobody is coming to save you.' A conversation with the anti-therapy pro-capitalist writer and influencer riding the short form video wave.
Maple Leafs Handed Clear Fight Prediction Before Golden Knights Game
The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Vegas Golden Knights this Thursday, October 8, and the conversation ahead of the game centers not only on possible lineups and outcomes, but also on potential fights.In the latest edition of The Leafs Morning Take, Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill discussed who could be the first Leafs player to […] The post Maple Leafs Handed Clear Fight Prediction Before Golden Knights Game appeared first on HEAVY.
Bill Nye the Science Guy experiments with prevalent topics at Beyond the Conversation
Bill Nye, known to generations as “The Science Guy,” took the Beyond the Conversation stage Wednesday as Titans filled TSU Pavilions A, B and C, welcoming the legend himself with
Glen Powell wants no part of political fights that divide people
Glen Powell says political discourse is "the worst version of a conversation" and reveals how movies remain his preferred way to express himself.
“Boston Blue ”showrunners reveal what it would take to get Tom Selleck on “Blue Bloods” spinoff
“It’s a long, never-ending conversation,” co-showrunner Brandon Margolis said.
Simple math formula predicts when AI chatbots will go rogue
Most of us now carry in our pockets devices capable of running small AI chatbots. These chatbots have little safety oversight to ensure they don't provide information and answers with the potential to ...
Google releases a new local-first Granola competitor
Google’s new AI Edge Foresight app takes on Granola with an offline meeting note-taker that can transcribe conversations, generate notes, and answer questions using on-device AI.
Sami Inkinen, Virta Health CEO: A Fortt Knox Update
Virta Health CEO Sami Inkinen said the company posted its first-ever profitable quarter — Q2 2026, on cash-flow and EBITDA — after a post-2021 down round, part of a "Project Independence" push to self-funding. In conversation with Jon Fortt, he casts GLP-1 drugs as a tailwind: with nutrition, Virta says patients lose a third more weight (20% vs 15%) and sustain 85% of the weight loss a year after stopping, saving ~$5,600 per diabetes patient yearly. Virta serves ~800 employers and plans.
AI in Health Care Moves Toward More Autonomous Roles
Federal health agencies are testing AI applications that move into patient care typically handled by physicians. And recent research suggests people may place more trust in conversational AI, while false claims attributed to authoritative sources can increase willingness to share them.
Fighting Drought in Texas Cotton Country
Drought and an ailing aquifer were major topics of conversation when NASA scientists visited with farmers in the Texas High Plains.
Denton City Council proposes policy to disclose conversations with developers
Denton Mayor Pro Tem Nicholas Stevens said the proposal is intended to build public trust in local government.
Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #226
Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy. In today’s edition, you’ll find: On the issues: The debate over Career and Technical Education (CTE) In this section, we curate reporting, analysis, and commentary on the issues school board members […]
Glen Powell Says He Doesn't Talk Politics: 'My Calling Is Elsewhere'
The actor told Esquire that engaging in political conversations was "not presently possible" and that Paramount "let go of an entire marketing department a month before ['The Running Man'] came out in the middle of a merger."
We need stronger sexual health education — the ‘Cornell 7’ case shows why
Allegations of sexual assault at Cornell University, and the public response to them, reveal persistent misunderstandings about consent, bystander responsibility and sexual violence.
AI behaves more like a brain than a database – cognitive science’s role in its origin story helps explain why
This article by Michael Hout, New Mexico State University, and Arryn Robbins, University of Richmond, first appeared in The Conversation, republished with permission.
Improve your health habits with Wellness Wednesday
Coming up tomorrow at 9 a.m., MPR News host Angela Davis revisits Wellness Wednesday conversations about oral health, the potential benefits of fermented foods and how to prevent and detect colorectal cancers.
Zack Polanski’s Urdu video: multilingual campaigning is good for politics
Insistence on English-only campaigning could create two tiers of voters in the UK.
AI behaves more like a brain than a database – cognitive science’s role in its origin story helps explain why
Modern AI owes its existence to both cognitive and computer science. What you envision as its origin story can influence how you understand what large language models can do.
Gen Z women want politicians who can make the ‘American dream’ feel attainable
This story is part of Gen Z at the Ballot Box, a collaboration between States Newsroom and The 19th. Strike up a conversation with a Gen Z woman about politics, and affordability will likely come up within the first 30 seconds. The cost of doing anything, whether it’s renting a home, staying in college or getting […]
BridgeUSA brings peaceful political conversations to VCU
In August, a new student-led organization called BridgeUSA at VCU was added to the university’s long list of groups. They focus on empowering students to participate in politics with confidence, including encouraging students to vote in upcoming elections and holding political debates.
Why ‘Wives’ is relevant to the times
Parvesh Cheena, actor in Jaclyn Backhaus’ play WIVES, at East West Players, co-produced with Hypokrit Live Arts. Photo by Daniel Antonio Vallejo. At a time when marginalized voices are changing the national conversation, Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Wives, featuring a South Asian American cast, is both relevant and funny. “This play offers its actors the opportunity to time travel, to play many…
Jim Phillips: ACC does not have ‘unanimity’ on Protect College Sports Act
With the Protect College Sports Act heading to the House of Representatives, the ACC has become a key part of the conversation. Four school presidents from the conference penned a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) requesting changes to the conference realignment provision last week. Speaking at ACC Tipoff on Tuesday, commissioner Jim Phillips […]
College Football TV Ratings: Most-watched games of Week 5
As the conversation continues around college football’s TV ratings this season, the Big Ten scored the most-watched game of Week 5. CBS had the top game of the week on any network as Ohio State took down Iowa. The matchup became CBS’ most-watched game of the season with nearly 6 million viewers in the late-afternoon […]
Lane Johnson retires after changing the conversation around mental health
Lane Johnson’s decision to discuss his anxiety and depression publicly created an important legacy extending beyond his championships and individual honors
Thune presses Trump for more funding toward battleground races red
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on Monday revealed he is pressing President Donald Trump for more funding toward battleground races in the midterm elections, as Republicans fight to stave off losses in November. Thune said that he’s been emphasizing the question of resources for candidates during conversations with Trump and the president’s advisers, in […]
Clarkson University Science Cafe series returns to Potsdam this fall
POTSDAM — Clarkson University’s Science Café series returns to downtown Potsdam this fall, bringing researchers and community members together for informal conversations on topics ranging from childhood development and virtual
A Slice of Joy: In Conversation With 'Mystic Pizza' Performer Teisha Thomas
We caught up with powerhouse performer Teisha Thomas, who serves up heart, hits, and hospitality in 'Mystic Pizza' at the Ordway.
Michael Douglas recalls conversations with Rob Reiner about having sons with ‘serious drug issues’
The “Basic Instinct” star’s son Cameron Douglas previously served a seven-year sentence in federal prison for drug possession.
Michael Douglas recalls conversations with Rob Reiner about having sons with ‘serious drug issues’
In his new memoir, Michael Douglas recalled conversations with Rob Reiner about having sons with ‘serious drug issues.’ Douglas’ son Cameron previously served a seven-year prison sentence for drug possession. Reiner’s son Nick wrote a semi-autobiographical film about his addiction.
Going International: How Global South Journalists Can Elevate Local Science Stories
For journalists in the Global South, access to local science presents an opportunity to bring this knowledge to a wider audience via international outlets. Regional studies and perspectives can inform broader conversations about science, highlight multinational patterns, and elevate research conducted outside of traditional scientific centers. This story offers strategies to find stories, connect with international editors, and meet the needs of audiences that may know little about the place where a story is unfolding.
‘Feeling Is Part of Memory’: In Conversation With Nobel Laureate Karl Deisseroth
The newly named Nobel laureate reflects on using light to probe the brain, the relationship between science and art, and the deep questions that have guided his work.
Tuesday ‘Dawg Bites Isn’t Anxious… Yet
Welcome to Tuesday, Bulldog fans! And it’s week 6… the halfway point of the regular season. At this juncture, I believe we all thought we’d know exactly where the 2026 Georgia team stood in the national conversation, because the team would have faced 2 lower division opponents, a rebuilding SEC team, an SEC team that […]
Kamala Harris has a 2028 opening
The former Democratic standard bearer retains considerable respect in the party, but there’s an undercurrent of anxiety about her return to the political conversation.
UFC CEO Dana White said entrepreneurship isn't a shortcut to more free time
UFC CEO Dana White says working from the office creates the spontaneous conversations that spark ideas and surface new issues.
New webinar series aims to boost western Mass. business
Western Massachusetts nonprofit organization Living Local 413 has launched “The Local Hour,” a new weekly online gathering designed to foster open conversations among the region’s business co…
DEEP DIVE: How Politics Is, and Is Not, Addressing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
In a conversation with U.S Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan last week with members of our young Future Forward editorial board, we talked about how powerful it is for four Minnesota women to be running for the two highest offices in the state — including Governor. We also talked about
Send us your questions for Texas Senate candidate James Talarico
Calling all Texas Republicans, Democrats, and Independents! Are you a registered voter in Texas? Then submit questions for CNN & Jubilee’s Town Hall with James Talarico on Wednesday, October 14 and engage in a direct conversation with the Texas Democratic Senate candidate on the issues that matter most to you.
New York and American Democracy: A Conversation with Christina Greer
Noted political scientist will unpack urban politics and public policy with Professor Mitchell Moss - Oct. 20 at NYU Wagner
How will humans of the future be augmented? Six striking ideas from science fiction
From expanded vision to immortal bodies, these screen depictions have all stretched our understanding of what technology could do to humans.
Livelong Women’s Health Summit Builds Momentum for 2027 Expansion
The Livelong Women's Health Summit brought together consumers, clinicians, researchers, and health experts for conversations spanning menopause, strength and performance, brain health, nutrition, hormones, and the science of aging. The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) served as a sponsor for the event.
An open-source tool lets you delete 12GB of Apple Intelligence data on macOS
Delete Apple’s AI with a single command.
From 4-H Member to Healthcare Leader: A Conversation with Davina Ferrero King
"My 4-H experience helped establish UConn in my mind as a place where I could continue growing academically, professionally, and personally."
What Holding Eye Contact While Someone Speaks Really Reveals About Your Psychology, According to Science
You are mid-conversation with a friend, nodding along, and suddenly you wonder: am I looking at them too much? Or not enough? Most of us treat eye contact like an automatic reflex – something we either do or don’t, without thinking twice. But researchers say the way you hold someone’s gaze while they speak is...
Integral Ad Science to Provide Brand Safety and Suitability Measurement in ChatGPT Ads
NEW YORK, October 05, 2026--As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes digital advertising, marketers face a critical new challenge: ensuring brand safety and suitability within dynamic, generative AI-native environments. Without independent verification, advertising in conversational channels risks creating a blind spot for enterprise brands seeking reliable media quality standards.
BridgeBio taps Hip Hop Public Health and others up to put a new beat on ATTR-CM awareness
Attruby maker BridgeBio is re-upping its “Don’t Pass on Your Heart Health” campaign with a fresh new beat. | BridgeBio's YouTube awareness push to lead up to World Amyloidosis Day features a conversation with Hip Hop Public Health's Doug E. Fresh and more.
Patriots’ HC Raves About Drake Maye Compared to Josh Allen
The New England Patriots needed a response after a lopsided loss. Head coach Mike Vrabel received one from his quarterback against a division heavyweight. New England stunned the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills 29-26 on Sunday, Oct. 4, and Vrabel placed Drake Maye in the same conversation as reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen afterward. “Gets us […] The post Patriots’ HC Raves About Drake Maye Compared to Josh Allen appeared first on HEAVY.
State Senator Chedrick Greene hosts Saginaw gun violence conversation
State Senator Chedrick Greene brought together survivors, parents, and advocates in Saginaw Saturday to address the impact of gun violence in Michigan's 35th Senate District.
Black Men, Mental Health and the Entertainment Industry
Black men, mental health and entertainment collide as Charlamagne Tha God and Lil Nas X open up about anxiety, trauma and bipolar disorder, while therapist Jahthaime Smith examines the pressures behind the public spotlight.
Aboriginal historian Barry Corr vividly investigates colonisation – but is less convincing on politics
What right did settler society have to intervene in Aboriginal life? The humanitarian tradition has no adequate answers, says Barry Corr.
Can Alabama Star Keelon Russell Win Heisman Trophy This Season?
Alabama star quarterback Keelon Russell has pushed himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation this season.
Dr Brandt Foundation Brings Mental Health Conversations to Miami Teens- Haute Living
Dr Brandt Foundation brings Real Conversations to Miami teens, focusing on mental health, self care, honest support and suicide prevention.
Kansas City artist uses public installation to spark mental health conversations during awareness week
A Kansas City artist will pop up at Mill Creek Fountain during Mental Health Awareness Week to help people confront trauma and find help.
Kansas City artist uses public installation to spark mental health conversations during awareness week
A Kansas City artist will pop up at Mill Creek Fountain during Mental Health Awareness Week to help people confront trauma and find help.
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
The Millennial Internet Is Dead, and Politicians Killed It. (opinion)
Social media use is declining, and what's left has shifted from conversation to passive scrolling.
Franciscan Health presenting The Family Dinner Project
News release, Franciscan Health: Initiative aims to help families connect over meals MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health is again hosting The Family Dinner Project, a free program focused on helping families connect, laugh and grow one meal at a time. The program provides easy recipes, fun conversation starters and simple activities to help dinnertime become a positive experience for the whole family. The Family Dinner Project sparks real conversations without cell phones, builds stronger family bonds, removes mealtime stress by making it fun and fits into any schedule or lifestyle. All families are welcome, whether big or small, multigenerational
Keke Palmer on 'mom shaming' and how she protects her son's health
Keke Palmer shares how she takes proactive steps to protect her son's health and why she wants to have open conversations around parenting.
Scientists are trying to decipher 'meow'
Cats, it turns out, are conversationalists. And good news for cat parents: Studies suggest they're often attempting to talk to us.
Ivy Tech Valparaiso to Host Fall into Wellness Mental Health Fair Oct. 5
Community event will connect students, employees and community members with mental health resources, wellness activities and support VALPARAISO, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso Campus will host its Fall into Wellness Mental Health Fair on Monday, Oct. 5, bringing together students, employees and community members for an afternoon focused on mental health, well-being and connection. The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Commons Area at Ivy Tech Community College, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso. The fair is open to students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Designed to make conversations around mental health
Shawnee County Health Department discusses public health challenges and solutions
The Shawnee County Health Department held its Annual Community Conversation, bringing together local leaders to discuss public health and how to better serve residents.
Food safety finds a place among ‘kitchen-table’ political issues
The summer was marred by a foodborne outbreak that sickened scores of people, turning the safety of the U.S. food supply into a topic of national conversation and a political cause.
Politics Unusual: Governor's race, NY consent laws
In this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY's political reporter Morgan McKay speaks with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman about his campaign for the governor's office. Also, a conversation with NYS Assemblymember Catalina Cruz about New York's consent laws.
Brazil’s future depends on science
With the upcoming Oct. 5 elections, the country has a new opportunity to strengthen scientific research as a foundation for addressing today’s challenges and bolstering its sovereignty.
Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar
Oct. 1 - Veterans Coffee & Conversation at the Eagles Club - begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 - Karaoke at Hy-Da Way at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 - Bingo at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Oct. 2 - Merrill’s …
Seaweed strandings cause a stink – here’s why they harm your health
When free-floating patches of seaweed are pushed together by currents and winds, seaweed strandings can inundate the coastline with often devastating consequences.
White nationalism’s appeal runs deeper than partisan politics
Nearly 1 in 7 white men under 30 in the US support white nationalism, and partisanship alone doesn’t explain who’s drawn to it.
What's Missing From Conversations About Women's Health?
From menopause to healthy digestion, there can sometimes be vital information missing from conversations surrounding women’s health so Dr. Jennifer Ashton, board-certified in OBGYN and obesity medicine with a master’s in nutrition, joins TODAY to help fill-in some of the blanks.
Hopkins Political Union encourages dialogue across differences
With support from the Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund, which is currently accepting applications, groups like the Hopkins Political Union are promoting meaningful conversations on campus
Hochul to address Cornell University case after appointing Leticia James to investigate alleged gang-rape
Kathy Hochul said she no longer has faith in the local district attorney’s ability to handle the case, which has restarted a national conversation about sexual assault on college campuses
The mental health of politicians is a critical issue
Elected politicians make decisions that can affect millions, but do they receive the support they need?
The mental health of politicians is a critical issue
Elected politicians make decisions that can affect millions, but do they receive the support they need?
What your eyes could reveal about your heart health
Retinal images could contain information about future cardiovascular risk, including atrial fibrillation.
UVA professor studies payoff of engaging in political conversation
When conversations about politics get tense, many people’s instinct is to shut them down. A UVA professor is urging people to resist that instinct, saying they might get more out of the conversation than they expect.
Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School ‘sending silence packing’ through traveling mental health exhibit
The traveling exhibit is stirring up conversations surrounding mental health.
Are right-brained people really more creative? Here’s what the science really tells us
Here’s what over 150 years of science really tells us about being left-brained vs right-brained.
Lucas Spence Put Himself in the Astros’ 2027 Conversation
The 23-year-old turned a late-season call-up into four home runs, nine RBI, and back-to-back postseason starts.
Prediction markets are going mainstream. What does that mean for public health and democracy?
Prediction markets are becoming mainstream, bringing gambling risks and a novel source of political information to public life.
Audible Adds AI Character Conversations to Audiobooks Starting This Fall
Audible's new Interactive Stories feature lets listeners speak with audiobook characters in real time, starting with Dracula's Renfield…
Attacks on cultural heritage are unfolding with authoritarian politics in the U.S. and beyond
In recent years, several governments have placed the very heritage they are charged to protect at risk.
The Enemies Project: WashU father-daughter duo fight against political extremism
With over 90000 subscribers on YouTube, senior Sadie Rosen and her father Larry Rosen (B.A. ‘88) reveal the power of empathy through their channel, The Enemies Project. The pair bring together strangers with fundamentally opposed political beliefs for a sit-down conversation. Their docuseries aims to break online echo chambers through vulnerability. It’s working, as across their 16 uploaded episodes, all the enemies have left connected.
100 years ago, Schrödinger’s equation shed light on quantum physics – scientists use it today to fine-tune chemical reactions
A 100-year-old equation helps scientists build solar cells, develop biofuels and even study quantum computers.
Nina Simone, Langston Hughes and their forgotten creative collaboration
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)
As private equity, politics and prediction markets reshape sports, is the press box up to the task?
Sports journalism has sometimes been called the ‘toy department,’ since it was known for less serious reporting. But the sports page has an opportunity to take on a real watchdog role.
As private equity, politics and prediction markets reshape sports, is the press box up to the task?
Sports journalism has sometimes been called the ‘toy department,’ since it was known for less serious reporting. But the sports page has an opportunity to take on a real watchdog role.
Global health research makes America richer and healthier
US-funded research into the health of people abroad has large health and economic benefits for Americans.
Women are turning to testosterone, but what does the science actually say?
Growing numbers of women are using testosterone for menopause symptoms, but female-specific products remain scarce and evidence patchy.
What Does Your Office Say About Your Business? by Jennifer Kraner
What does your space say about you and your business? More importantly, does it give you the best possible first impression? The minute a client, customer or patient walks through your door, they’re forming an opinion about your business – sometimes consciously, sometimes without even realizing it. Your space is communicating something about you, whether you intend it to or not. At Big Sky Design, we work with all kinds of commercial businesses, including many medical practices, law firms and other corporate offices, and I’ve seen first hand how much thoughtful design can influence that first impression. For businesses in medical, legal, and financial fields, three things are particularly important: trust, privacy and professionalism. Your space should communicate all three while also reflecting who you are as a business. That can be challenging, especially in a new construction project. Often, so much of the budget goes toward the actual construction that things like lighting, comfortable seating, artwork and finishing touches get pushed to the side. But those are often the elements that make a space feel complete – and memorable. Think about your waiting room. Is it comfortable? Is the lighting welcoming? Does the layout make sense? When someone walks through the door, do they immediately know where to go and whom to speak with? In a medical office, there’s another important consideration: privacy. Reception areas can become surprisingly noisy places, with phone calls, conversations between staff and patients, and people discussing personal information. Hard surfaces throughout a space allow sound to bounce around, making it difficult to maintain privacy. We recently worked with an eye doctor's office that had exactly this problem. The reception desk had a large opening, and staff were making and taking phone calls right next to patients who were waiting. We designed an acoustic treatment that acted as a divider between the staff and waiting areas. It absorbed sound, but it also became a branded design element. It was a visual reminder to everyone in the space to be mindful of their voices and what others might be able to hear. Those kinds of thoughtful details can make a tremendous difference. And good commercial design doesn't have to mean making your space flashy. Sometimes it’s as simple as a calming color palette, beautiful artwork, plants, carefully selected lighting or comfortable upholstered furniture. In a medical setting, those touches can help soften what might otherwise feel clinical and reduce anxiety for patients who are already nervous about an appointment. I’ve been in waiting rooms where everyone feels packed together, and you can hear every conversation – even what’s happening in the restroom next door. That’s not the experience you want to create. Your office should also feel like your business. Are you telling people that you’re clean and modern? Sophisticated and unique? Warm and welcoming? Or, unintentionally, are you telling them that your business is outdated? You don’t necessarily need a complete renovation to change that message. Fresh paint, updated lighting, new artwork, better seating or a few branded design elements can make a space feel current and intentional. At Big Sky Design, we’ve worked with radiology, dermatology, and dental practices, among many others. Every practice is different, but the goal is always the same: creating a space that reflects the business behind it and gives every person who walks through the door a positive first impression. Because your office is part of your brand. Make sure it’s telling the story you want people to hear. Read more at bigskydesignonline.com.
Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #225
Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy. In today’s edition, you’ll find: On the issues: The debate over AI in the classroom In this section, we curate reporting, analysis, and commentary on the issues school board members deliberate […]