Readthrough
Top Stories
Summary for Tropical Storm Olana (CP3/CP032026)
Audi defends plans for a $4 billion Georgia plant amid VW restructuring, tariffs
Netflix lays off 6% of workforce amidst slowing growth
Physical Oil Prices Drop in Mideast
‘Clayface’ Tops the Box Office with $24 Million. What Does It Signal About DC Studios’ Latest Reboot?
NW Arkansas
One person killed in Sunday morning house fire in Washington County
One person died in an early-morning house fire Sunday in the Summers area of Washington County. The Lincoln Fire Department said crews were called to the 21,000 block of North Road around 1:30 a.m., but the fire was too intense for firefighters to get inside. Investigators are still working to find the cause.
Arkansas Issue 3 would allow economic development districts
Arkansas voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to amend the state constitution so the legislature can create economic development programs and let local governments set up economic development districts. Issue 3 is one of three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, alongside a separate bond measure, Issue 4.
Northwest Arkansas Outpaces Peers as Jobs, Businesses and Tech Employment Expand
Northwest Arkansas outpaced six peer metro areas in job, business and high-tech employment growth, according to the 2026 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report. The region added 8,300 net new jobs in 2025, a 2.8% gain to 302,100, and high-tech employment rose 10.9%. Wages remain the lowest in the peer group, and housing affordability is still a challenge.
Continue to Help Shape the Future of Fayetteville’s Next Neighborhood Park
The City of Fayetteville is asking residents to help shape the design of a new neighborhood park near Owl Creek, which is in its final design phase. A drop-in community workshop runs 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, near North Magellan Lane and West Oldham Drive, moving indoors to the Boys and Girls Club on Rupple Road if the weather is bad.
ARDOT Winter Weather Crews Gear Up with Statewide Drill
The Arkansas Department of Transportation will run a statewide winter weather preparedness drill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, centered in central Arkansas. Crews will train drivers, check equipment, road-test snowplow trucks and practice communicating with ARDOT's Emergency Operations Center, which will be activated for the exercise.
Arkansas Swim and Dive Takes Down Rice
Arkansas swim and dive beat Rice 179-120 on Friday, winning both the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. Harriet Rogers won the 50 and 100 freestyle, while Viola Petrini, Isabelle Leigh and Ellery Chandler also took individual events.
Ozark Society youth grants fund hands-on conservation projects
The Ozark Society is again offering youth grants that fund hands-on conservation and environmental projects for K-12 students. Schools and nonprofits across the Ozarks, Ouachitas and northwest Louisiana can apply for awards of $500 to $2,500, with applications open through the end of November.
Groove Culture brings 11-piece jazz, funk sound to Rogers
Groove Culture, an 11-piece band mixing modern jazz, funk and R&B, is playing venues around Northwest Arkansas. Bandleader Austin Farnam, a saxophonist who heads the music department at The New School in Fayetteville, talked with KUAF about the band's influences, including Snarky Puppy and Cory Wong, ahead of a show at the Victory Theater in downtown Rogers.
Commentary: Arkansas Democrats have their best opening in years. What if they still can’t win?
An Arkansas Advocate commentary argues state Democrats have their best opening in years, citing President Trump's low approval, an unpopular war in Iran, anti-incumbent mood and high prices hitting farmers. It also lays out warning signs, including recent polling, that suggest the party could still come up short in a state it hasn't won statewide in 16 years.
Hawaii
Summary for Tropical Storm Olana (CP3/CP032026)
A tropical depression far southwest of Hawaii strengthened into Tropical Storm Olana on Sunday morning, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. At 11 a.m. HST it was about 580 miles west-southwest of Johnston Island with 40 mph sustained winds, moving east-northeast at 8 mph. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but Johnston Atoll was told to monitor the storm.
Potential heavy rain, flash flooding may hit Kaua‘i Monday night
The National Weather Service says deep tropical moisture moving over Hawaii starting Monday night could bring heavy rain, flash flooding and thunderstorms to Kauaʻi through at least Thursday. The heaviest rain is most likely Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, and a Flood Watch may be issued. Forecasters say it is still unclear which areas will be hit hardest.
Nearly $4.4M federal grant expands college pathways for Hawaiʻi Island students
UH Mānoa has won a $4.37 million federal GEAR UP grant to help 840 students from rural Hawaiʻi Island communities prepare for and succeed in college. The seven-year project runs through 2032 and serves students at seven schools in Kohala, Honokaʻa, Keaʻau, Kaʻū and Pāhoa, starting in seventh grade and continuing into their first year of college. Only 19 such partnership grants were awarded nationally this year.
Decades-long family mystery leads to Kalaupapa in new HIFF short film
Former Hawaii news anchor Diane Ako's decades-long search for her great-grandmother, who her family learned had been exiled to Kalaupapa, has become a 15-minute short film. "PiliHou: Finding Helen," made with director and producer Martha Shade, is showing at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Ako said her parents' generation never talked about where their grandmother went.
UH football routs Northern Illinois, 56-21
UH football snapped a four-game losing streak with a 56-21 rout at Northern Illinois, a trip of more than 4,200 miles that UH calls the farthest conference game in FBS history. The Rainbow Warriors piled up a season-high 504 yards and tied the program record for points in a Mountain West game, improving to 2-6.
UH Cancer Center receives $2.5 million grant to expand cancer care statewide
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center has received a $2.5 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to reduce geographic barriers to cancer care across the islands. The money goes to Ka ʻUmeke Lama, a statewide initiative launched in 2024 with the John A. Burns School of Medicine that expands oncology care, clinical research and specialist training.
100 Kaʻū households get few answers about water, sewer nightmare during Public Utilities Commission meeting
Residents of nearly 100 condo units in Kaʻū's Colony I and Kalana Estates left a Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission meeting in Pahala with no timeline for getting drinking water and sewer service back. Hurricane Lala damaged a well and other infrastructure of the privately owned Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation about 10 weeks ago, and the utility offered no restoration plan.
10/23/26 – WAIMEA CANYON LOOKOUT REOPENING OCTOBER 24, 2026
The Waimea Canyon Lookout on Kauaʻi reopened Saturday, Oct. 24, daily during daylight hours, DLNR announced. It's only the first lookout: Puʻu Hinahina, Puʻu Ka Pele and Puʻu o Kila remain closed while crews clear hazards and repair damage left by Hurricane Lowell.
The Sunshine Blog: Super PAC Avalanche Of Cash Continues
Civil Beat's Sunshine Blog reports that super PACs have spent $3.8 million on electioneering in Hawaiʻi since late September to support or oppose about three dozen candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Much of it came from For A Better Tomorrow, the super PAC tied to Pacific Resource Partnership.
Motorcyclist killed in collision on Piilani Highway in Kihei; police make negligent injury arrest
A 37-year-old Kihei man died Friday night after his motorcycle collided with an SUV on Piilani Highway near Kaonoulu Street, Maui police said. A Ford Edge turning left onto the highway hit his Harley-Davidson, and he was pronounced dead at Maui Memorial Medical Center; police made an arrest for negligent injury.
Talk story with Pear Suite CEO, Shidler College alumnus Colby Takeda
UH Mānoa's Shidler College talks with alumnus Colby Takeda, CEO and cofounder of Pear Suite, an AI-enabled healthcare company that supports community health workers, doulas and community groups. He describes going from doing everything in the early days to leading partnerships and national expansion.
Resource manager Justin Yeh sees his work atop Maunakea as opportunity to make a difference
UH Hilo profiles Justin Yeh, resource manager at the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, who works to preserve and protect the mountain's natural resources. He says the university's plans for Maunakea now put more focus on local communities, schools and students.
Business
Joint statement from HM Treasury and Department of Finance Canada
The UK Treasury and Canada's Department of Finance said they will develop two distinct but complementary defence-financing institutions rather than merge them: the Multilateral Defence Mechanism and the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. The two governments said the institutions will work in close partnership on industrial priorities, investment and strategic financing to strengthen allied defence capabilities.
Chancellor unveils Britain’s ambitious plan for AI
Britain's Chancellor unveiled a major AI package ahead of next week's Budget, aimed at spreading AI opportunities to every region, scaling up home-grown AI firms and guarding against hostile threats. The Treasury says it includes hundreds of millions in investment in infrastructure and AI security.
Audi defends plans for a $4 billion Georgia plant amid VW restructuring, tariffs
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner defended plans for a $4 billion SUV plant in Georgia, the brand's first U.S. factory, calling it a business decision to grow sales and cut exposure to U.S. tariffs. President Trump announced the plant at a Georgia rally on Saturday. It comes as parent Volkswagen plans to cut 50,000 jobs and close four German plants, including an Audi site, between 2031 and 2034.
Netflix lays off 6% of workforce amidst slowing growth
Netflix laid off about 1,000 people, roughly 6% of its workforce, and fired its chief content officer after reporting slower quarterly revenue growth and U.S. engagement, NPR reports. The shake-up comes as the streaming giant works to overhaul its programming unit.
Explosion, fire blast through Iowa Quaker Oats plant
An apparent explosion sparked a fire Saturday at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, billed as the world's largest oat mill, sending thick black smoke over downtown. Officials said no one was hurt and all workers were accounted for.
First Russian diesel tanker heads to New York after Trump's deal with Putin to lower fuel prices
A tanker carrying 40,000 tons of Russian diesel has left for New York, the first Russian diesel shipment to the U.S. since 2023, Fox Business reports. It follows President Trump's deal with Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel into global supply as U.S. diesel prices top $6 a gallon, and Trump also waived most sanctions on Russian fuel buyers.
Trade tariffs cause whiplash at Port Milwaukee
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer visits Port Milwaukee to see how President Trump's tariffs have changed the flow of goods through the Great Lakes port. The segment looks at the whiplash for shippers and the regional economy as affordability concerns rise ahead of the midterms.
Ukraine disputes Elon Musk’s claim that its military violated Starlink terms during drone operations
A Ukrainian defense technology adviser disputed Elon Musk's claim that Ukraine's military violated Starlink's terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes. Musk gave that reason for temporarily throttling Ukraine's high-speed access, which Ukrainian officials said disrupted military drone operations and left the country more exposed to Russian attacks.
More pain may be coming for the AI trade. Why I’m not giving up on it
In a CNBC column, the writer argues that the artificial intelligence trade is unwinding, starting with Meta after news of a huge prospective capital raise to fund its AI buildout. He warns Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon could see similar pressure around this week's earnings and favors consumer staples for now, while saying he is not giving up on AI over the long run.
Anthropic was beaten to the punch by a salad dressing company
Anthropic, widely rumored to be nearing a record IPO, said it will put 5% of its shares into a company-owned public benefit trust. A Fast Company columnist notes the idea isn't new — a salad dressing company did something similar first — and calculates that a comparable Google set-aside before its 2004 IPO would be worth $184 billion today.
CEO SUNDAY: Atomic Wings CEO shares his journey from Wall Street to the restaurant business
Atomic Wings CEO Zak Omar told Fox Business how he went from Wall Street to running the fast-casual chicken wing chain. He credits a weekly habit of reviewing what went well and what went wrong, saying learning from failures leads to future success.
What’s really fueling the recent generosity boom
Fast Company looks at a wave of high-profile giveaways, from $500 government checks to Healthcare.gov users to Anthropic's proposed public benefit fund and Elon Musk's pledge of SpaceX shares for kids. The column argues each also works as reputational marketing.
Tech
iFixit tears down iPhone Duo, finds possible causes of early screen failures
iFixit's teardown of Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, gave it a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10, the highest it has ever given a foldable phone. Much of the teardown focuses on the hinge, and iFixit flagged details that could explain some early screen failures owners have reported.
Grok releases the first seven minutes of its AI-generated ‘Odyssey’
Three months after Elon Musk promised a full-length AI-generated movie of "The Odyssey," Grok has released seven minutes, billed as Episode 1 of an Odyssey series. TechCrunch contrasts it with Christopher Nolan's largely practical film adaptation, which Musk had criticized over its casting.
Etzioni on AI: $137M spent on AI-generated midterm ads, and most voters can’t spot the fakes
Campaigns and PACs have already spent more than $137 million on AI-made ads ahead of the midterms, AI researcher Oren Etzioni writes in GeekWire. One example from the Senate Republicans' campaign arm shows Texas candidate James Talarico voicing commentary he never made, with only a faint "AI GENERATED" label. Etzioni warns most such clips carry no label and most voters can't spot them.
AI delivers ‘zero financial payoff’ to most companies, Apollo economist says
Apollo Global Management chief economist Torsten Slok says AI has delivered "zero financial payoff" to corporate America outside the tech giants. Looking at the S&P 500 minus Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, he found flat profit margins and revenue per worker, with no evidence AI is lifting productivity yet.
OLED iPad mini 8 debuting this week: Here’s what’s coming, and how much it’ll cost
Apple is expected to launch a new iPad mini this week with an OLED display, its first display overhaul since 2021, 9to5Mac reports. Rumors point to an A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory for on-device AI features, though it's unclear whether it will get a 120Hz ProMotion screen.
Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro launches this week, here’s how the lineup will look
9to5Mac reports Apple's first touchscreen MacBook Pro, with an OLED display and a lighter redesign, is expected to launch this week. The lineup would then have three tiers, with an M6 14-inch base model likely holding the $1,999 price and current M5 Pro and Max models in the middle.
‘Cyberselfish’ author takes aim at techno-libertarianism as her book returns from the dead
Paulina Borsook's 2000 book "Cyberselfish," a critique of Silicon Valley's techno-libertarian culture, is back in a new edition from Tin House after finding new readers. In an interview with TechCrunch, Borsook describes the book as "almost a travelogue" of her effort to understand that influence on the tech industry.
TechCrunch Mobility: Blue-green is the color of autonomy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed new lighting rules for autonomous vehicles, including an option for cyan lights to show when a car is driving itself without a human monitoring the road. The agency is not mandating the blue-green lights, TechCrunch Mobility notes, but the proposal signals how regulators are thinking about AVs.
Exit interview: Microsoft’s comms chief on CEOs, reporters, what he got wrong, and stories that stuck
Microsoft communications chief Frank X. Shaw, who is leaving at the end of the year after nearly three decades, sat down with the GeekWire Podcast and Mary Jo Foley for an exit interview. He discusses working for all three Microsoft CEOs, handling stories from antitrust to AI, and what he got wrong.
Your devices could be on the wrong Wi-Fi band, and it's slowing them down
Even with fast internet, devices can be slow if they're connected to the wrong Wi-Fi band, Engadget explains. Most routers broadcast 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and newer ones add 6GHz, and the piece walks through how to check which band a device uses and when to switch.
What does the bell icon mean on your CarPlay screen?
The bell icon that sometimes appears on Apple CarPlay's app switcher means Siri is automatically announcing incoming messages from first- and third-party apps, Engadget explains. The feature can be toggled easily, though Apple doesn't explain it on screen.
This clever USB-C cable doubles as a stand for your phone [Gallery]
Statik's PowerStand is a braided USB-C cable with a kickstand built into its right-angle end, so it can prop a phone upright while charging. 9to5Google calls it a simple idea that's well executed, especially for travel.
XLE & Oil
Brent Tops $116 as Middle East Risks Grow
Brent crude ended the week at its highest since April, settling just under $117 after rising more than 6%, while WTI closed above $103. Houthi militants claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu, an oil field and an airport, adding to supply fears from the U.S.-Iran war.
Energy Department Authorizes Strategic Petroleum Reserve Exchange to Support Fuel Supply Stability
The Energy Department authorized an emergency exchange of up to 400,000 barrels of Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude to cover a supply disruption at Phillips 66's Lake Charles refinery in Louisiana. The oil will be returned with additional premium barrels, which DOE says will replenish the SPR at no cost to taxpayers.
Record Tanker Rates Cripple U.S. Crude Oil Flows to Asia
The Iran war has pushed oil tanker rates to records, with shipping a supertanker of crude from the U.S. Gulf Coast to China costing as much as $80 million earlier this month, ten times the pre-war norm. Rates are still about $60 million, high enough that Asian refiners are ordering little U.S. crude for November.
Energy Department Designates Helium as Critical Material to Strengthen American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Security
Energy Secretary Chris Wright designated helium a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, citing its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced energy technologies. DOE says the move aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
UK Seen More Reliant on Gas Imports This Winter
Britain will lean even more on gas imports this winter as North Sea output, about a third of winter demand, falls about 5%, National Gas Transmission said. LNG imports are set to rise 5%, and the operator warned strong European demand could push prices up.
MISO selects consortium of Ameren, GridLiance, Dairyland to deliver foundational energy grid project in Iowa
MISO picked a consortium of Ameren's ATXI, NextEra's GridLiance Heartland and Dairyland Power Cooperative to build and run the EASL transmission project in Iowa. The line is a foundational piece of a new 765-kilovolt backbone for the Midwest grid.
Germany Wants to Stop More Oil Refinery Closures
Germany says it will try to stop further oil refinery closures, warning that losing refineries hurts not just fuel supply but the country's chemicals industry. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche made the case after meeting oil executives in Berlin, as Europe's dependence on imported diesel and jet fuel is exposed by supply shocks.
Chevron targets Argentina shale growth as Vaca Muerta competes for global investment
Chevron plans to expand drilling in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale, going from one to three rigs at its El Trapial block by early 2029, as it weighs a proposed $13.8 billion, 30-year investment that needs government approval. The company aims to triple its Argentine output to about 195,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day by 2035.
SLB tops profit estimates as global oilfield activity improves
SLB beat third-quarter estimates with adjusted earnings of $0.64 a share versus $0.62 expected, on revenue of $9.45 billion, up 6% from a year earlier. The oilfield services giant cited stronger North American activity and a gradual recovery in the Middle East despite the Iran war.
Britain's Renewable Energy Boom Is Hitting a Grid Bottleneck
Britain's fast-growing wind and solar capacity is running into transmission bottlenecks, forcing the grid operator to pay wind farms to switch off while firing up gas plants elsewhere. The U.K. is spending up to £50 million a day to balance the grid, including £47.9 million on Oct. 14 alone, OilPrice.com reports.
Physical Oil Prices Drop in Mideast
Physical prices for some Middle East crudes sold outside the Persian Gulf have fallen as producers and traders get better at moving cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz despite attacks. One Iraqi Basrah Medium cargo sold at almost a $10-a-barrel discount to Dubai, versus near parity a month ago, according to Asian refiners, as the U.S.-Iran war nears the end of its eighth month.
3 Oil Stocks Worth Watching As Brent Crude Tests $117
Brent crude hit about $117 a barrel on fears of a wider conflict around Iran, and this Simply Wall St piece on Yahoo Finance looks at three oil and gas stocks exposed to the price shock. It weighs which producers could gain pricing power and which face higher costs.
Chainlink
Chainlink reports $15B in CCIP migrations as LINK price nears $12
Chainlink's Q3 review says more than $15 billion in token value has migrated to its cross-chain infrastructure in 2026, and that it has enabled over $36 trillion in cumulative transaction value. CCIP 2.0 added new security, compliance and settlement controls, while LINK traded near $12.24 on Oct. 22 with bearish momentum.
Future of Value: When Money Becomes Intelligent | Microsoft, Parallax Ventures, & Chainlink at Sibos
At Sibos 2026, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov joined Microsoft's head of agentic AI for finance, Martin Moeller, and Parallax Ventures' Azor Barros to discuss AI's growing role in payments. The panel looked at how AI integration could reshape the global financial system.
LG CNS Partners With Chainlink To Advance Korea’s Digital Asset Market
LG CNS, the technology arm of South Korea's LG Group, has partnered with Chainlink to help build Korea's $70 billion digital asset market with Chainlink oracle services. LG CNS leads the Bank of Korea's Project Hangang digital currency platform and aims to develop regulated solutions and technical standards.
Why Chainlink CCIP 2.0 Is the Standard for Global Finance | Sergey Nazarov
In a new video, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov explains why security, reliability and institutional-grade features matter for cross-chain interoperability. He argues CCIP 2.0 provides the infrastructure to move tokenized assets securely across blockchains for global finance.
Archax Turns To Chainlink Data Streams For Tokenised Treasury Collateral
Archax has adopted Chainlink Data Streams to supply pricing data for GOVY, its continuously rolling tokenised U.S. Treasury product. The regulated platform wants the data to support lending, treasury management and other on-chain collateral uses.
Tokenization at Scale: Building the Next Era of Global Markets | DTCC & Chainlink at Sibos 2026
DTCC Digital Assets head Nadine Chakar joined Sergey Nazarov at Sibos 2026 to discuss bringing tokenization to market scale. They covered DTCC's Collateral AppChain, 24/7 collateral management, interoperability and the infrastructure linking traditional markets with blockchains.
Chainlink’s McCormick: Blockchain Benefits Institutional And Retail Investors
Andrew McCormick, Chainlink Labs' head of institutional and market development, told the Thinking Crypto podcast that Chainlink is "the connection between blockchains and the real world." He discussed how institutions use Chainlink to tokenize assets and the Sibos launch of CCIP 2.0 with partners including Fidelity International, AWS and Google Cloud.
Chainlink, Cardano, other blockchain groups push SEC for clearer crypto rules
Six blockchain organizations, including Chainlink Labs, the Cardano Foundation, Hedera, Aptos Labs, Ava Labs and the Stellar Development Foundation, urged the SEC to formally recognize digital commodities as non-securities. Their joint Oct. 20 letter came as the agency's comment period on proposed crypto rules closed.
OpenZeppelin Partners With Chainlink To Advance Institutional Onchain Finance
OpenZeppelin has partnered with Chainlink, integrating CCIP and the Automated Compliance Engine into its developer tools so cross-chain functions and programmable compliance can be built into token workflows. OpenZeppelin also set up a migration path from its Defender platform to the Chainlink Runtime Environment.
Chainlink Partnership Targets Institutional Tokenization in Japan
Japan's Pacific Meta partnered with Chainlink Labs, adopting CCIP as its preferred interoperability solution and listing Chainlink ACE on its marketplace for Japanese institutions. Blockonomi notes no launch customers or timeline were named, and LINK traded around $12.30 that day.
Pacific Meta Partners With Chainlink, Selects CCIP As Preferred Cross-Chain Solution
Tokyo-based Pacific Meta has signed a strategic partnership with Chainlink Labs and chosen CCIP as its preferred cross-chain solution. The company, which has supported over 300 projects in 41 countries, aims to help Japanese financial institutions adopt tokenized assets, onchain identity and compliance tools.
Chainlink Data Standard Connects Stellar’s $4B+ RWA Ecosystem To DeFi
Chainlink Data Feeds and Data Streams are now live on Stellar, letting developers connect Stellar's $4 billion-plus real-world asset ecosystem to DeFi. The data can power lending markets, prediction markets, perpetual futures and other apps.
Patriots
Injuries will force Patriots to make roster-defining decisions the rest of 2026 season
More than 20 Patriots players have spent time on injured reserve since the offseason, with WR Romeo Doubs and OL Alijah Vera-Tucker the latest, Musket Fire writes. The losses have hit Drake Maye's offensive line and receiver room hardest, and with limited IR return slots left, New England faces roster-defining decisions in the second half.
After Further Review: Drake Maye film breakdown, defense review and quick-hit film notes from Week 7 loss to the Bears
Patriots.com's film review says the undermanned Patriots fought hard on a short week but their stars needed to elevate a depleted roster in the 30-24 loss in Chicago. It breaks down Drake Maye's performance, the defense and quick-hit film notes.
Patriots' loss to Bears exposed an offensive problem Drake Maye can't keep hiding
The Patriots lost 30-24 to the Bears, and Musket Fire argues the game exposed a problem Drake Maye can't cover up: his late interception toward the end zone cost a key scoring chance, and the run game produced almost nothing. Maye led the team with 26 rushing yards while three running backs combined for 44, and the defense gave up 116 on the ground.
Game Observations: 8 takeaways from the Patriots loss to the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 7
The Patriots fell 30-24 to the Bears on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Chicago out-snapped New England 66-50, forced 16 missed tackles and piled up yards after contact as Caleb Williams outdueled Drake Maye.
Rust or real concern? Why A.J. Brown's Patriots start is so baffling
A.J. Brown has nine catches on 20 targets for 101 yards and no touchdowns in parts of three games with the Patriots after a high-ankle sprain sidelined him. Chowder and Champions says drops and poor separation are worrying but it's too early to give up on him.
New England Patriots Postgame Quotes 10/22
Mike Vrabel said after the loss to Chicago that "the tackling wasn't good enough, not against this team," pointing to playmakers like D'Andre Swift and Luther Burden III. He said the Patriots need to force turnovers and tackle better but liked how they competed.
Eli Raridon is quietly becoming exactly what the Patriots needed at tight end
Musket Fire says rookie tight end Eli Raridon is giving the injury-hit Patriots exactly what they needed, as New England again leans on first-year players. The piece puts him alongside the 2025 rookie class that helped the team succeed.
Breaking Down the Patriots Performances vs. the Jets & Bears | Patriots This Week
On Patriots This Week, Bob Socci and Scott Zolak react to the Thursday night loss to the Bears. Mike Dussault joins them to look back at the earlier win over the Jets.
Patriots vs. Bears: The good, the bad, the s—t that gets you beat
Pats Pulpit breaks down the loss using Mike Vrabel's three categories: the good, the bad and what gets you beat. The defeat dropped New England to 0-2 in prime time this season in what the writer calls a competitive game between two good teams.
Forged in Foxborough Episode 4: The Answer | New England Patriots
Episode 4 of the Patriots' behind-the-scenes series Forged in Foxborough follows how the team responded to early-season adversity, including a breakthrough in Buffalo. It also celebrates the Super Bowl XXXVI team that started the dynasty 25 years ago.
1 player Patriots must trade before 2026 NFL trade deadline
The Patriots fell to 4-3 with Thursday's 30-24 loss to the Bears, though Drake Maye threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns. ClutchPoints recaps the game's frustrations and names one player it thinks New England should trade before the deadline.
Xavier Newman-Johnson, Benton Whitley revert to Patriots’ practice squad following Week 7
Offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson and outside linebacker Benton Whitley reverted to the Patriots' practice squad after being elevated for the 30-24 loss in Chicago. Newman-Johnson played on special teams in his first appearance of 2026 as New England's line was missing Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Movies
‘Clayface’ Tops the Box Office with $24 Million. What Does It Signal About DC Studios’ Latest Reboot?
DC Studios' body-horror film "Clayface" opened to $24 million, topping the box office but landing slightly below the $25-30 million projections. IndieWire calls it a middling but not bad result for a niche character, helped by a lower budget than most comic-book films, and it held off A24's "You Can See Everything," which earned $19.5 million in its second weekend.
'Clayface' Director Officially Confirms the Tragic Meaning Behind the DCU Horror Movie's Ending
"Clayface" director James Watkins tells Collider the ending deliberately blurs the line between hero and anti-hero as actor Matt Hagen fully gives in to rage and becomes the Batman villain. The film, originally written by Mike Flanagan, follows Hagen's cells breaking down after experimental facial reconstruction surgery. The interview contains spoilers.
Marvel Fans Slam Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Over Captain America Joke
Marvel released a new "Avengers: Doomsday" TV spot during Game 1 of the World Series, and a joke in it is drawing criticism from fans. In the clip, Ant-Man calls Steve Rogers "Cap," prompting an awkward look since Sam Wilson now holds the title, and John Walker chimes in that he was briefly Captain America too.
Box Office: A24’s ‘You Can See Everything’ Scores Huge $19.5 Million Second Weekend
A24's Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything earned $19.5 million in its second weekend, up 25% from its $15.6 million opening. The rise came as it expanded from 855 to 2,655 theaters, IndieWire reports.
Sandra Hüller Joins Avengers: Doomsday In Mystery Cameo Role
Sandra Hüller has joined "Avengers: Doomsday" in a mystery cameo, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Oscar nominee has had a huge 2026, with roles in "Project Hail Mary," "Rose," "Fatherland" and "Digger."
New Alien Movie In The Works From Raised By Wolves Writer Aaron Guzikowski
Aaron Guzikowski, creator of "Raised by Wolves" and writer of "Prisoners," has been hired to write a new Alien movie at 20th Century Studios, THR reports. Empire notes Ridley Scott said in August he still wants to make a final Alien prequel centered on Michael Fassbender's David.
Wicker First Reviews: Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård Shine In A Quirky, Sexy Romance
First reviews of "Wicker," based on Ursula Wills-Jones's short story "The Wicker Husband," praise Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård in a raunchy romantasy comedy. Critics say the 105-minute film's script and pacing wear thin at points.
Siskel & Ebert To Be Immortalized With Bronze Statue in Chicago
Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert will be honored with a six-foot-five bronze statue, "Siskel & Ebert: Two Thumbs Up," at Chicago's Prudential Plaza off Michigan Avenue. Chaz Ebert writes that she approves and supports the fundraising campaign for the sculpture.
'Possible Love' offers four of the best performances you'll see all year
NPR's critic calls Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," his first film in eight years since "Burning," home to four of the year's best performances. The film was inspired by a 2009 strike at a Korean car factory that laid off a third of its workers.
Busan International Film Festival 2026 Wrap-up
RogerEbert.com wraps up the 31st Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, with its main competition, Vision section and titles from Berlin, Cannes and Venice. The writer, attending for the first time, describes the festival as almost overwhelming.
Chicago International Film Festival brings world cinema to the Windy City
NPR's Marc Rivers reports from the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival, the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. He travels the city by L train to sample its world cinema lineup.
Watch the ‘Buddy’ Team Explain How They Made the World Fall in Love with a Murderous Unicorn
At IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking Summit, the team behind Casper Kelly's horror comedy "Buddy" explained how they marketed a murderous '90s TV unicorn mascot. Roadside Attractions introduced the character before revealing his homicidal streak, creating a false memory that "Buddy" was a real canceled show.
Lorcana & SWU
Star Wars: Unlimited | Iconic Musings
Star Wars: Unlimited designer Tyler Parrott previews memorable cards from Icons, a smaller set with all-new rare and legendary units. He says 20 reprints in the set get new art, a detail he added to make the set more fun to collect.
Disney Lorcana TCG Set Release Notes: Hyperia City
Disney Lorcana's official release notes for Hyperia City explain the set's rules changes, new mechanics and the reasoning behind them. Ravensburger points players to the Comprehensive Rules and the Lorcana Companion app for more detail.
Review: Star Wars Unlimited: Homeworlds Spotlight Decks
Card Gamer reviews the two pre-built Spotlight Decks for Star Wars: Unlimited's ninth set, Homeworlds: Chewbacca and Tarkin. Each box has 50 cards, a base, a leader, tokens and a Homeworlds booster, and the Tarkin leader deploys as the Death Star itself.
Disney Lorcana TCG Products from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Now Available Online
Ravensburger will sell the 2026 D23 Collection and the Winnie the Pooh Hunny Wizard foil playmat online through a random-draw system. Fans can enter from 9 a.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 31, to 9 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1, by signing up for an EQL account.
First Cards for Star Wars Unlimited’s Icons 2027 Edition Revealed
The first cards for Star Wars Unlimited's Icons 2027 Edition have been revealed, just after Homeworlds launched. Icons is designed to ease new and returning players in, with a starter box and boosters that skip overly complex cards.
A Coco Themed Deck
Disney Lorcana's official site shares a Coco-themed deck for Hyperia City built around Héctor, Miguel and singer synergies. It pairs Ancestral Guitar with Ernesto de la Cruz – Ruthless Musician to turn any character into a Singer the villain can banish.
Starting Out with Star Wars: Unlimited Icons, Available November 20th
Fantasy Flight Games explains how new players should start with Star Wars: Unlimited Icons 2027, a smaller set of fan-favorite characters arriving Nov. 20. Its cards are designed to match standard sets in power, making it a re-entry point for returning players too.
TIMELESS TALES AND TOTALLY-ROCKIN’ TUNES
The Curator's Collection: Beauty and the Beast Edition and the I2I foil playmat went on sale Oct. 16 at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, World of Disney in Disneyland Paris and DisneyStore.co.uk. The collection reimagines characters from the tale as Lorcana glimmers.
Star Wars Unlimited – Homeworlds’ PreCon Decks are Lethal In Their Own Ways
Big Boss Battle reviews the two Homeworlds pre-constructed decks for Star Wars Unlimited, built around Grand Moff Tarkin and Chewbacca. Each includes a leader, base, tokens, a 50-card deck and a booster pack, and they win in very different ways.
Disney Lorcana reveals Illustrious new Evil Queen and an Iconic Cinderella for Hyperia City
Ravensburger revealed the second Illustrious rare for 2027's Into the Inkdark: a reprint of The Evil Queen, Commanding Presence, limited to 23 serial-numbered copies. Illustrious rares will only come in Collector Booster packs debuting in February 2027, six per set.
Fantasy Flight Games: Star Wars: Unlimited – Homeworlds Booster Packs
Fantasy Flight Games' Star Wars: Unlimited – Homeworlds booster packs arrived Oct. 9 as the ninth expansion, built around the galaxy's planets and their cultures. Each 16-card pack includes about nine commons, three uncommons, a rare or legendary, a leader, a base or token and a Hyperspace foil.
Review: "Disney Lorcana: Hyperia City" Prerelease Box Brings New Mechanics and More Fantastic Art to the TCG
Laughing Place reviews the Disney Lorcana Hyperia City Prerelease Box, the third such box after Wilds Unknown and Attack of the Vine. The set takes the game to a metropolis named for the Disney brothers' Hyperion Studio, with new mechanics and art.
Faith
New York Archdiocese agrees to $800 million settlement over abuse litigation
The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million to settle clergy sexual abuse claims from about 1,300 people, ending more than seven years of litigation. Archbishop Ronald Hicks told clergy the deal becomes final once signed, which is planned for the week of Nov. 6.
Christian mother of 5 falsely imprisoned for over a year receives freedom award
Rhoda Jatau, a Christian mother of five from Nigeria who spent more than 19 months in jail on a blasphemy charge before being acquitted, received the First Step Forum's Shahbaz Bhatti Freedom Award on Friday. She was nominated by ADF International. The award honors Bhatti, a Christian Pakistani lawmaker assassinated in 2011 for opposing his country's blasphemy laws.
Pope appeals for end to hostilities in Yemen and prays for Jordan attack victims
After Sunday's Angelus, Pope Leo XIV appealed for an end to hostilities in Yemen, pointing to suffering in Taiz from shortages of food, water and medical care. He also prayed for victims of a terrorist attack on churchgoers in Jordan and looked ahead to an Assisi interfaith gathering on Oct. 27.
The importance of Galilee over Rome
In a Christian Daily International column, the writer reflects on a series of talks he gave at Haggai International's Global Advisory Council in Bali titled "Meet Me in Galilee." He points to the resurrection accounts, where the angel and Jesus tell the disciples to go to Galilee, and argues the instruction carries a lesson about where God chooses to meet his people.
Exploring the Depth and Breadth of the Westminster Confession
byFaith reviews a new Crossway volume, "The Westminster Confession of Faith: A Comprehensive Commentary on its History, Theology, and Application," written by 22 authors. The reviewer praises it as sound and clearly written, with each chapter opening with historical and theological background, and says it is less technical than A.A. Hodge's classic 1869 commentary.
This week in Christian history: Doug Phillips resigns; Protestant Reformation begins
The Christian Post's weekly look back highlights three anniversaries from this week in church history: the start of the Protestant Reformation, Doug Phillips' resignation from Vision Forum, and the death of Ethiopian church leader Salama III.
Grand v. City of University Heights
The ERLC outlines Grand v. City of University Heights, a Supreme Court case on whether an Orthodox Jewish man can challenge city threats that stopped him from hosting a Sabbath prayer group at home before finishing a zoning process. Oral arguments are set for Dec. 9.
Broken Bodies Make Beautiful Temples
Writing for The Gospel Coalition, a quadriplegic author reflects on Isaiah 55 and resisting the idea that the body is incidental to identity. She argues even broken bodies bear God's image and are temples worthy of the divine.
Polk v. Montgomery County Public Schools
The ERLC explains Polk v. Montgomery County Public Schools, a case asking the Supreme Court to decide whether a school can require a Christian substitute teacher to use students' preferred pronouns and keep gender identity from parents. The case is pending review.
Here’s a clue about the fake trans mailers
Baptist News Global looks at fake transgender-themed mailers sent to Texas voters during early voting that falsely claimed to come from a trans student group and used a real nonprofit's logo. The column offers a clue about who may be behind them.
Shane Winnings Warns Liberty University Crowd That America Must ‘Turn Back to God’ or Face Judgment
Promise Keepers CEO Shane Winnings told Liberty University's Freedom Uncensored event that America must return to its Christian foundations or face judgment. He criticized progressivism as "an evil ideology" and urged believers to take responsibility for the nation's future.
Erika Kirk Surprised With Honorary Doctorate From Liberty University During Freedom Uncensored Event
Liberty University surprised Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree on Oct. 23 at its Freedom Uncensored event. President Dondi Costin presented the degree after Kirk's Q&A.
Christian Metal
Feature: Metal for Emmanuel – Georgia Heavy Metal Duo Shares Their Music, Faith, and Testimony
Heaven's Metal Magazine interviews Metal for Emmanuel, a husband-and-wife Christian heavy metal duo from Perry, Georgia, with Dana on vocals and songwriting and Jason on guitar, bass and production. They discuss their classic metal influences, their testimonies and the faith behind their four-song debut EP, "Pool of Bethesda."
What Lies Below - Return To Nothing (Official Music Video)
Solid State Records welcomed What Lies Below to its roster with the official video for "Return to Nothing." The song's lyrics call listeners out of grief and burden to reclaim the light they lost.
Review: Unteachers – Under Bright Sadness
Heaven's Metal reviews "Under Bright Sadness," the first full-length from alternative metal band Unteachers since 2014. The band, with roots in Tantrum of the Muse, now keeps a clearer focus on the Gospel.
SAVE US - No Holding Back
SAVE US released a video for "No Holding Back" from its Solid State album "Death to Something," out now. The song urges a hurting friend to pour everything out instead of staying silent.
Review: Omegashift – The Burden of Storms
Norwegian doom band Omegashift pairs heavy, slow riffs with strong melodies and female vocals carrying a hopeful message, Heaven's Metal says. Its second album, "The Burden of Storms," comes out Nov. 20 through Nordic Mission.
Skillet - Grave Stomper (Official Visualizer)
Skillet released an official visualizer for "Grave Stomper," written by John Cooper and produced by Korey Cooper. The animated video was directed by Jose Lun.
Shaky Knees Festival 2026
HM Magazine covers Atlanta's sold-out Shaky Knees Festival, back in Piedmont Park for its 13th year. The three-day lineup spanned indie rock, punk, metal and hip-hop, headlined by The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots and Gorillaz, though Saturday was interrupted by a severe-weather evacuation.
Cody Bonnette on The History of As Cities Burn and their New Album
HM Magazine's podcast talks with Cody Bonnette of As Cities Burn about the band's strange history and its new album.
Peter Espevoll from Extol on the Band’s Legacy and their New Album
HM Magazine's podcast talks with Peter Espevoll of Extol about the band's legacy, its relationship with the Satanic black metal scene and its new album.
Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 5 up for Preview and Listening Party Part 2 October 11th
Indie Vision Music's compilation "Fighting From the Ground Up Vol. 5" was set for a free/name-your-price release on Bandcamp on Oct. 23, after preorder listening parties. Preorders gave early access to some songs.
Have You Heard of He Is Mighty?
He Is Mighty, a new Christian metal band from Arvada, Colorado, released a three-song EP, "The Grass Withers, The Flower Fades, But The Word Of Our God Shall Stand Forever," in September. Indie Vision Music praises its mix of clean and harsh vocals.
Splitcast - Art Official (Official Song Stream Video)
Indie Vision Music released a song stream video for Splitcast's new track "Art Official." The song opens the label's compilation "Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 5," released Oct. 23 on Bandcamp as a name-your-price download.
Chris Voss
How Tactical Empathy Will Change Your Life- Justus Parmar & Chris Voss
Fortuna Investments founder Justus Parmar tells former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss how the Black Swan Method changed his negotiating. He now starts by understanding what the other side wants, and says tactical empathy helps him build trust and protect long-term relationships.