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Beyond the Science: Building infrastructure for Maryland’s e...
Maryland’s quantum ambitions depend on more than research: an inclusive ecosystem of legal, policy and business support could shape who benefits from its growth...
Massachusetts Governor Urges No Vote on Cannabis Prohibition Measure
Gov. Maura Healey said she opposes Question 8, a ballot measure that aims to wipe out the state’s adult-use legalization laws.
Trump's Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
The Trump administration has cut Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants, including refugees and trafficking victims
Law firm with Garden City office expands legal team
Moritt Hock & Hamroff is expanding its Garden City office. It has hired seven new associates from the 2026 law school graduating class. The firm emphasizes mentorship and AI training to prepare young lawyers for evolving legal challenges while growing its Long Island presence and maintaining a collaborative environment.
Trump’s Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
Advocates warn that without Medicaid, many people will delay care or rely on ERs, and that will further strain the health system. The administration claims the cuts help ensure immigrants can support themselves without burdening taxpayer-funded programs.
Trump’s Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
The Trump administration has cut Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants, including refugees and trafficking victims.
Atrium Health’s plan contested by state treasurer for legality
(The Center Square) – Nearly 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, lawmakers active and retired, and members of higher education on Tuesday learned Atrium Health’s Affordability Protection Program would help provide
Trump's Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
The Trump administration has cut Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants, including refugees and trafficking victims.
The ripple effect: Why one business event rarely stays in one department
A single sanctions alert can move through compliance, legal, tax, and risk within hours. See why financial institutions and insurers need one trusted evidence base to keep up.
She got Trump's $500 check for health insurance. To her, it's a 'political stunt'
As checks from President Trump for health costs hit millions of mailboxes, a poll shows Americans don't trust Republicans on healthcare. Experts doubt it will move the needle and say it is likely illegal.
A new defense tech initiative will serve Baton Rouge startups, small businesses
Baton Rouge has been included in a new federally backed defense technology initiative aimed at helping Louisiana startups and small businesses compete for military and commercial work. The U.S. Small Business Administration this week awarded $1 million to Precision Platform Solutions, the legal entity behind Monroe-based Maven Scouts, to launch the Gulf South Defense Tech […]
Supreme Court kicks off new term with major climate case
The Supreme Court returns for its new term on Monday, and oral arguments in a major case over the fate of a costly climate change lawsuit brought by Boulder County, Colorado, will kick off a term set to feature several blockbuster legal battles. Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County will decide whether a […]
Mission Health antitrust lawsuit heads toward settlement
Agreement in principle could end yearslong legal fight over health care competition in Western North Carolina
Is Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Cheap As Leadership Changes Test Its 44% Undervalued View?
Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) is back in focus after chief legal officer Don Liu resigned at the end of September, with group company secretary Edward Traynor stepping in as interim legal head from October 1. Amid that leadership change, Flutter Entertainment’s US$75.85 share price has had a difficult period, with the 30 day share price return down 24.23% and the year to date share price return down 65.25%. Over the past year, the total shareholder return has fallen 69.17%, indicating...
Latest in Lakers legal saga: Jeanie Buss' siblings file opposition
The siblings of Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss filed an opposition Wednesday, Oct. 7 as she attempts to remain governor of the team.
NASCAR’s Legal Fight Will Freeze Talent Movement Forever
A judge ordered evidence in the JGR vs. Spire lawsuit, but Denny Hamlin calls the drama a mess. Talent movement could stop.
Dolly Parton's nephew wants more time to defend himself against restraining order from her estate
Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, is seeking more time to secure a lawyer in a legal battle involving a restraining order taken out by her estate | Talk 1370
Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
New restrictions took effect at the beginning of the month.
OpenAI enlists doctors to enhance ChatGPT's health advice
OpenAI enlisted over 260 global physicians to improve ChatGPT's health advice amidst legal challenges and a high-stakes healthcare push.
Redmond airport concessionaire ousted after 17 years of business, legal actions taken
Aviano RDM LLC has filed a legal complaint against the city of Redmond after losing both concessions, retail bids for the new airport terminal A national airport hospitality company has […]
Online sports betting petitions in Nebraska get another $7 million from DraftKings and FanDuel
National online sports betting apps continue to see a big opportunity with two Nebraska petitions that would legalize and regulate online sports betting in Nebraska, donating a combined $7 million in a two-month period.
After topping $10B in revenue, Kirkland & Ellis will stop disclosing results
The Chicago-based legal giant will no longer provide financial figures to industry publications after reporting its 2026 results, the Financial Times reports.
Rubio refuses to comment on Guilfoyle allegations
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has flatly refused to comment on a new report alleging that U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle engaged in improper and possibly illegal conduct
Will Brazil Betting Ban Change Flutter Entertainment's (FLUT) Narrative
Flutter Entertainment reported that Don Liu resigned as Chief Legal Officer effective September 30, 2026, with Group Company Secretary Edward Traynor stepping in as interim Chief Legal Officer from October 1, 2026. Brazil's recent ban on online betting removes a previously important market opportunity for Flutter Entertainment, placing greater emphasis on execution in existing regulated regions and any remaining expansion plans. We will now look at how Flutter Entertainment's investment...
Quagge, Reynolds tout legal experience in judicial race
Alex Quagge and Judge Jacob Reynolds are competing for Clark County’s Department 29 judgeship, citing varied legal and public service careers.
Michael Douglas says he sold almost 200 pounds of weed to pay for his college tuition
“I’m not recommending this approach. It clearly would have been more responsible (and legal) to apply for a student loan.”
St. Louis County issues political sign placement reminders
St. Louis County Public Works staff will remove any signs that are illegally placed.
Corteva (CTVA) Completes Seed Business Spin Off
Corteva (NYSE:CTVA) has completed the spin-off of its seed operations into a separate entity called Vylor Inc. The split leaves Corteva focused on crop protection products and digital agriculture services, while Vylor assumes the seed portfolio. Legal challenges have emerged that question how PFAS-related obligations are allocated between Corteva and Vylor after the separation. The Vylor spin-off and PFAS liability scrutiny only capture one chapter in the wider Corteva story for investors...
Trump's Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
New restrictions have stripped Medicaid coverage from certain legal immigrants, including refugees and victims of human trafficking, as part of broader federal changes to the health insurance program that are expected to force millions off their coverage.
Police raids on ex-Prince Andrew's homes were unlawful, court rules
LONDON – Ex-Prince Andrew has won his legal case against British police after challenging raids on two of his royal homes that led to his arrest in February.
New Hampshire’s best business lawyers
Published annually, “The Best Lawyers in America®” is an exhaustive search for the country’s top attorneys. Here is a compilation of the top attorneys who practice in New Hampshire in dozens of legal specialties related to the needs of businesses, from administrative law to workers’ compensation. The complete list of New Hampshire lawyers in all specialties can be found in...
Bryan Seaver accused of evading service amid Dolly Parton estate lawsuit
After acquiring a restraining order against Dolly Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver, her company is leveling allegations that he implemented evasive measures to avoid being served legal documents in the
Award-winning Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh detained by US immigration authorities
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - An award-winning filmmaker whose work has explored conflict in his native Kashmir has been detained by US immigration officials after legally coming
Activision And Bethesda Crackdown On GenAI MW2 And Fallout Projects
Vibe coders are getting legal notices
Oklahoma drunk driver at center of 'political favoritism' scandal back in prison
Admitted drunk driver Sara Polston, whose case has spurred protest and policy changes around Oklahoma’s GPS ankle monitoring program, is back in prison and facing charges of illegal voting.
Climate hopes shift from politics to the courts
The political fight against global warming may be losing steam, but the legal battle is heating up. On the political front, from Europe to the United States, governments have been scaling back climate...
Life Science Legal Strategy Summit 2026
Partner Bart Jong and associate Jasmeen Bahous will attend the Life Science Legal Strategy Summit 2026, taking place 13–14 October in Frankfurt. The event will bring together legal professionals and industry leaders to explore key legal, regulatory, and strategic developments shaping the life sciences sector.
Hayden Panettiere's ex Wladimir Klitschko gets legal status to protect their daughter's inheritance
A California court has granted Wladimir Klitschko legal authority to protect his daughter Kaya’s inheritance following her mother Hayden Panettiere’s death
Idaho deserves a competent lawyer and politician for attorney general
An attorney general can have personal views on political issues but cannot ethically inject them into legal advice or court. | Opinion
Orange County takes over Be Well OC sites in a settlement with Mind OC
The agreement settles a tumultuous legal battle, allowing a state-of-the-art campus to open in Irvine to provide behavioral health services.
Scientists turn handheld car gadget into wildfire early-warning tool
Researchers at King's College London have converted an off-the-shelf product, usually used to determine whether car window tint is legal, into a scientific instrument that can measure leaf water content ...
Search warrant served at another Butler County business in ongoing illegal gambling investigation
An illegal gambling investigation in Butler County, Missouri continues.
What the POWER Act could mean for New York tenants and workers
The POWER Act would expand legal options for New Yorkers facing unfair business practices.
Seminole tribe files lawsuit against DraftKings claiming it's illegal sports betting business
How Texas landowners are fighting back against Trump's border wall
The administration has committed billions of dollars and waived environmental and other protections to plow ahead with the project despite the region’s historically low illegal crossings.
Redoing Daubert: Are judges letting bad science back into the court room?
Daubert was meant to keep unreliable science out of the courtroom by making judges gatekeepers who ensure the reliability and relevance of expert testimony and the underlying research. A recent Second Circuit decision raises a harder question: how deeply may a judge examine the science when evaluating an expert’s methodology before determining the scientific dispute itself? The answer could reshape how courts translate epidemiological evidence into legal proof.
Government Watchdog: Trump Illegally Blocked Health Research Funding
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision issued today, which concludes that President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. illegally impounded fiscal year 2025 funding for health research conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research […]
How Texas landowners are fighting back against Trump's border wall
The administration has committed billions of dollars and waived environmental and other protections to plow ahead with the project despite the region’s historically low illegal crossings.
Democrat Hickenlooper takes aim at Iran war in 1st general election ad
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper ties soaring fertilizer and fuel costs to what the Colorado Democrat calls President Donald Trump’s “illegal war” with Iran in the first general election TV ad, released on Tuesday by his campaign. In the 30-second spot, made available first to Colorado Politics, Hickenlooper links costs stemming from of the 31-week-old conflict […]
Trump\'s memorial arch faces new lawsuit from Arlington County, Virginia
The Arlington County Board in Virginia has filed a lawsuit opposing the construction of the Triumphal Arch, becoming the first governmental body to take legal action against President Donald Trump’s
Seminole Tribe sues DraftKings: What it means for sports betting
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has filed a federal lawsuit accusing DraftKings of running an illegal, unlicensed sports gambling operation across the state.
Can this Virginia county stop Trump’s arch?
A county board in Virginia is suing to stop the construction of President Donald Trump’s “Triumphal arch,” bringing another legal challenge to the controversial 250-foot project.
She got Trump's $500 check for health insurance. To her, it's a 'political stunt'
As checks from President Trump for health costs hit millions of mailboxes, a poll shows Americans don't trust Republicans on healthcare. Experts doubt it will move the needle and say it is likely illegal.
Trump asks Supreme Court to revive his 2016 election lawsuit against Hillary Clinton
President Donald Trump urged the Supreme Court on Friday to wade into his years long legal battle with former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and ex-Justice Department officials over the 2016 election, appealing a case that a lower court concluded was “frivolous.”
Popular sausage sold in Texas stores triggers federal health warning
Federal officials said the products were illegally imported from Jamaica.
CVS Health (CVS) Opens New Pharmacy Sites As Undervalued Narrative Holds
CVS Health (CVS) is expanding its pharmacy-focused format by opening nearly 20 smaller neighborhood locations across the US in 2026, including a new Roxbury site in the Boston area. Recent headlines around CVS Health have mixed signals for investors, with Medicare Advantage star rating setbacks and a legal probe weighing on sentiment, while the extended Cardinal Health distribution deal and a reaffirmed dividend provide a steadier backdrop. Even after a one-day share price decline of 1.87%...
AI Makes "Open-Source, Clean Room" Implementations Of Adobe Photoshop & Premier In Rust
As an interesting demonstrator for the power of AI and potentially pressing legal challenges, Claude Code and AI agents have created 'open-source, clean-room reimplementation' versions of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, and Adobe Lightroom
Trump Illegally Withheld Lifesaving Health Research Funds: Federal Watchdog
"Donald Trump is stealing taxpayers’ dollars that Congress set aside to improve Americans’ health," said a group of House Democrats.
Climate hopes shift from politics to the courts
The political fight against global warming may be losing steam, but the legal battle is...
Media attorneys ask court to block White House ban while legal case continues
The hearing was the latest development in the escalating drama between the Trump administration and the news media
All 50 States Should Legalize The 'Booming Business' Of Marijuana, Brittney Griner Says
Brittney Griner, the professional basketball player who was previously incarcerated in Russia over possession of marijuana, says it’s time for cannabis to be legalized across the U.S., citing its role as a safer alternative to painkillers that athletes are commonly prescribed. “At this point, I feel like all 50 states…just might as well” legalize marijuana, […]
Our take on Colorado’s 2026 ballot measures
Constitutional Amendment 81: Law enforcement reporting requirements to federal authorities Changes the state constitution. All such amendments need 55% to be enacted. Amendment 81 would amend the state constitution to require law enforcement to notify U.S. government immigration officials when they charge a person who is in the country illegally and the alleged offense is […]
Kennedy Center Honors move to new venue amid building closure
The Kennedy Center Honors gala will move to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after the center’s closure amid a legal battle over the addition of Trump's name to the building.
Trump's memorial arch faces a new lawsuit from Arlington County, Virginia
The Arlington County Board in Virginia has filed a lawsuit opposing the construction of the Triumphal Arch, becoming the first governmental body to take legal action against President Donald Trump’s
What the law says about armed officers at polling places
What does the law say about armed officials at the polls? That’s one of four questions that a legal scholar answers as Trump administration threats have piled up about voting
Hedge Funds Snap Up LA Fire Deals as Political Backlash Sputters
Hedge funds are stepping up purchases of legal claims tied to the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, after political opposition to the deals lost steam.
Trump bucks and the politics of mailing checks
The checks started going out last week, nearly one million of them, and mostly to battleground states. With a return address for the U.S. Treasury and a letter enclosed signed by President Donald Trump, these one-time checks for $500 were ostensibly government rebates for Obamacare enrollees who overpaid. In the accompanying letter, however, Trump attacks his predecessor and talks about his record in office on an important issue he’s not polling well on, which makes it seem more like the most expensive political mailer in U.S. history. The average piece of direct mail costs between 30 cents and $3, according to Mail Processing Associates, a print, mail, and fulfillment company. At $500 a pop plus roughly 50 cents each to issue the paper check, the cost of Trump’s healthcare mailer sent to more than 950,000 enrollees comes in at more than $475 million. Trump’s midterm healthcare message “For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare dot gov,” Trump wrote in the letter. “That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you!” In the letter, Trump makes false and misleading claims about his administration’s record on healthcare costs, an issue Democrats have a 20 point advantage on over Republicans, according to a recent poll from KFF, a nonpartisan health policy think tank. Trump touts his administration’s TrumpRX program, which he claims is “delivering massive discounts.” However, new research from KFF found that of a selection of drugs available on the TrumpRX platform, just five were the lowest price, while 13 were the highest price. Trump also falsely claims in the letter that he’s fighting to lower healthcare costs. In reality, average monthly premium payment costs for enrollees rose 58% under Trump while marketplace sign-ups declined 5%, per KFF. Under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it’s estimated 10 million more Americans will be uninsured by 2034. You get a check and you get a check and you get a check Trump’s long promised cash outs to his fans, from his days as a casino operator and gameshow host to his presidency. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the first Trump administration made the unprecedented move to put Trump’s name on checks that went out under the CARES Act (notably the $500 refund checks this time around don’t feature Trump’s name). Ever since, Trump’s been chasing that high. In his second term, Trump’s promised more stimulus that never arrived, like refund checks from DOGE cuts and tariffs, while he said at his party’s convention last month that he’d give out $5,000 checks to everyone if Republicans win in November. In reality, DOGE overstated its cost cutting and Trump’s government actually now spends more than former President Joe Biden’s, while Trump’s tariffs actually grew the trade deficit. His proposal for $5,000 checks would add about $1.2 trillion to the national debt. The problem is there’s no money to give. These $500 checks — plus $90 Medicare rebate checks also going out as well as $250 deposited this week in some Trump Accounts for kids courtesy Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan — represent the closest Trump’s going to get to making good on his promise to deliver cash fast. And the checks seem especially targeted. Though the $500 checks went out to enrollees in one of 30 states that use the federal HealthCare dot gov marketplace, a Reuters review found 71% of the payments, or $339 million, went to enrollees in 13 states that have the most competitive elections for governor and U.S. Senate. Most Americans don’t buy it Could Trump bucks sway the election? An Economist-YouGov poll found 57% of U.S. adults doubt Trump will deliver on his promise for $5,000 checks, compared to 21% who do. “I’m waiting on my DOGE check and I’m still waiting on my tariff check,” one 2024 Trump voter who’s since turned on him told a recent focus group. “It felt like kind of trying to buy people’s votes, which honestly felt like in elementary when the class president was like, hey we’re going to take you to the water park if you vote for me. It’s like, I don’t think it works like that.” But for voters in swing states who got a check, it could still matter. One survey published in 2022 found receiving a physically personalized check in the mail during the pandemic was associated with a much greater self-reported likelihood of voting for Trump in 2020, and those gains mainly came from out partisans. The issue for Trump comes if these checks are mostly going to Obamacare enrollees whose premiums have gone up by more than just $500 since he took office and who view the money as something like a bribe before the election rather than an actual long-term solution to lowering household costs. Spending $500.50 per mailer would be absurd as a normal campaign expenditure, but since Trump’s checks and letter are a government rebate, his campaign and super PAC didn’t have to spend a dime and he got out his message regardless. If enough voters in key states are swayed by the one-time payment, it could prove to be the best $0 the Trump campaign spent. Subscribe [ ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) [ Why independent candidates are making independence central to their brand ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) Hunter Schwarz · Oct 6 [ Read full story ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/why-independent-candidates-are-making) [ ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) [ These designers and grocery nerds will brand Mamdani’s NYC grocery stores ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) Hunter Schwarz · Oct 2 [ Read full story ](https://www.yellopolitics.com/p/these-designers-and-grocery-nerds) Trump wants to turn his first-ever golf course into a government course for presidents
Trump\'s memorial arch faces a new lawsuit from Arlington County, Virginia
The Arlington County Board in Virginia has filed a lawsuit opposing the construction of the Triumphal Arch, becoming the first governmental body to take legal action against President Donald Trump’s
Arlington County Sues to Block Trump’s Triumphal Arch
The county is home to Arlington National Cemetery, the military gravesite that is central to the legal battle over the planned arch.
After a legal battle, Marylanders will vote on future redist...
Marylanders will vote on Question 3 in November after the state’s highest court cleared a revised redistricting amendment for the ballot.
Trump's Medicaid cuts strip refugees and other legal immigrants of their health coverage
The Trump administration has cut Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants, including refugees and trafficking victims.
Rubio refuses to comment on Guilfoyle allegations
A new report alleges that the U.S. ambassador to Greece engaged in improper and possibly illegal conduct before taking up her post
Police urge Pennsylvania businesses to remove skill games as legal deadline approaches
Months after a justice ruled that skill games are legally slot machines, a deadline is fast approaching for the machines to be removed.
Trump’s Medicaid cuts strip health coverage from some legal immigrants—including refugees and victims of human trafficking
The move is part of sweeping changes to Medicaid under President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax cut and policy law.
Climate hopes shift from politics to the courts
The political fight against global warming may be losing steam, but the legal battle is heating up.
Will Citi Upgrade Change Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Stock Narrative
Flutter Entertainment confirmed that Chief Legal Officer Don Liu resigned at the end of September 2026, with Group Company Secretary Edward Traynor stepping in as interim legal head. FanDuel continues to show solid customer and handle momentum during the early NFL season. The same period combined legal leadership turnover, regulatory pressure in Brazil that led to a shutdown of operations there, and higher UK gaming taxes with ongoing cost transformation and heavy US investment. This...
Search warrant served at another Butler County business in ongoing illegal gambling investigation
An illegal gambling investigation in Butler County, Missouri continues.
Seminole Tribe Sues DraftKings for Running Illegal Sports Betting in Florida - WRUF 98.1 FM | 850 AM
The battle over sports betting rights in Florida is heading to court with the Seminole Tribe defending its exclusive rights to sports gambling in the state. The Seminole Tribe is suing DraftKings and CEO Jason Robins, claiming the company violated Florida’s 2021 Gaming Compact and is operating an illegal sports betting business. Through the 2021
Is it legal? Trump promises Medicare and ACA checks without Congress ahead of midterm elections
President Trump is promising $90 payments to more than 20 million Medicare seniors and $500 refunds to nearly 1 million ACA enrollees, bypassing Congress and raising legal questions from Democrats.
DNC files lawsuit alleging Trump's taxpayer-funded ads are illegal propaganda
The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump’s administration for recent television advertisements that promoted his political message while costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Movie review: 'The Social Reckoning' lacks nuance but delivers a meaningful message
If David Fincher’s 2010 tech drama “The Social Network” was about Mark Zuckerberg’s legal battle to secure the Facebook bag, Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning,” arriving 15 years later, is
Study finds gambling disorder diagnoses rose in states with legal sports betting
A new study found that diagnosed gambling disorders increased 61% in states that have legalized sports betting, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms
Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex legal interplay of federal and state laws raised by the case
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.
Rare police raid of Taipei gay bar sparks angry protest
Around 100 members of Taipei's LGBTQ+ community protested on Sunday after police raided a gay bar the day before and detained its customers, a highly unusual move given that Taiwan prides itself on its liberal image and legal support for sexual minorities.
Rubio refuses to comment on Guilfoyle allegations
A new report alleges that the U.S. ambassador to Greece engaged in improper and possibly illegal conduct before taking up her post
US Congresswoman Joins Fight to Keep Cannabis Legal in Massachusetts
Rep. Ayanna Pressley is urging Massachusetts voters to reject a ballot measure that aims to repeal the state’s adult-use cannabis laws.
What the Manchester City verdict could mean for Palermo
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Supreme Court weighs local governments' climate lawsuits against oil, gas firms
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Business owners brace for removal of skill machines
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Slammed: La Plata business phone illegally switched
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Some furloughed Star Wars Zero Company developers are returning to work, studio says
Bit Reactor, the Maryland based company, behind this summer’s well-received tactical combat game Star Wars Zero Company says that “more” of its team is returning to work after being furloughed ahead of the game’s release. This is the studio’s first statement on the matter since Game File’s August report that “most” of the development team had been furloughed—technically kept as employees, but without pay or benefits—a few weeks prior to launch. Some of those furloughs ended this week. “This week, we started the process of returning more of our team back to work at Bit Reactor, an important step forward in our continued support for Zero Company, “ Bit Reactor CEO Greg Foertsch said in a statement. He continued: “Having to ask team members to step away after we navigated unexpected business developments outside of our control and so close to launch was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was necessary to help us eventually bring as many people back as possible. “This team means a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you to our fans for the incredible response to the game and for supporting us along this journey. We look forward to sharing more updates regarding Bit Reactor and Zero Company soon.” Game File reported in August that Bit Reactor had retained a small team to work on updates for Zero Company. One person familiar with the situation told Game File that the returns announced today bring the studio’s pay-rolled headcount to more than half of what it had been ahead of the furloughs. That means a considerable number of people have been brought back, but that a fair number also remain without pay. While companies in the U.S. are often legally required to publicly disclose how many people they’ve laid off, furloughs can often be kept private, for a time. The United States Department of Labor requires companies to publicly report mass furloughs if they meet specific criteria, including any expectation that they will last more than six months. For those game makers who remain furloughed by Bit Reactor, it’s now been about two months. For more about Bit Reactor, the furloughs, the studio’s back-story and the ongoing lawsuit that brought this to light, read my August report. [ ‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit) Stephen Totilo · Sep 1 Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. [ Read full story ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit)
NFL Reduces Fine for Jahmyr Gibbs
The NFL has reduced Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs' Week 1 illegal helmet fine from $23,027 to $18,422, according to Aaron Wilson.
David Ellison backs CNN’s Trump lawsuit, pledges editorial independence
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She got Trump's $500 check for health insurance. To her, it's a 'political stunt'
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Rubio refuses to comment on Guilfoyle allegations
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Ongoing lawsuits allege GLP-1s can cause serious harm. But we don't know how often
Scant data about serious adverse effects makes it harder to answer scientific and legal questions about how often the drugs might cause serious harm like blindness or pancreatitis.
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT), Why Is It Back In The Spotlight?
Executive Change Puts Flutter’s Governance In Focus Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) has announced a senior legal transition, with Chief Legal Officer Don Liu resigning on September 30, 2026, and Group Company Secretary Edward Traynor stepping in as interim CLO from October 1. Flutter Entertainment’s share price has shown only a modest 0.7% move over the past day and a 2.4% gain over the week, yet the 30 day share price return is down 23.8% and the year to date share price return has fallen...
Department of Health and Human Services audit states ‘Arkansas failed to comply’ with requirements for reports of child abuse
A federal audit by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that Arkansas failed to comply with legal requirements for screening and investigating reports of child abuse and neglect b…