Readthrough
Top Stories
Brent Tops $116 as Middle East Risks Grow
Volkswagen to build $4bn Audi SUV factory in US despite job cuts at home
Game Observations: 8 takeaways from the Patriots loss to the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 7
UH football routs Northern Illinois, 56-21
New York Archdiocese agrees to $800 million settlement over abuse litigation
NW Arkansas
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.
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.
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.
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.
By the numbers: Tracking early voting data in Arkansas
Early voting for the Nov. 3 midterms is underway in Arkansas, and 40/29's data team is tracking early and mail-in ballots nationwide using University of Florida Election Lab data. Benton County saw 6,513 ballots cast on the first day of early voting, Oct. 19, compared with 3,669 on day one in 2022.
Ending the weekend off on a mild note in Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas closes out the weekend mild and dry, and 40/29's forecasters expect those calm conditions to hold for the next few days. Rain chances could return by Friday.
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.
OHP: Man wanted in Minnesota for sexual misconduct with minor arrested in Le Flore County
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrested Eric Sunder, a man wanted in Minnesota, in southern Le Flore County near the Arkansas border on Oct. 10. OHP says Sunder had been found guilty on three counts of first-degree sexual misconduct involving a minor and failed to appear for the end of his trial. Arkansas State Police and the Polk County Sheriff's Office helped with the arrest.
Hawaii
Tropical Depression Three-C Forecast Discussion Number 1
A system near the International Date Line has organized into Tropical Depression Three-C, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in its first forecast discussion Sunday morning. Satellite and scatterometer passes showed a small but well-defined circulation with curved bands forming.
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.
Hawaiʻi voters to decide amendments on timing for judge appointments, funding public infrastructure
Hawaiʻi voters will decide two state constitutional amendments on Nov. 3: one giving the Senate 60 days instead of 30 to confirm certain judicial appointments, and one letting counties and developers use infrastructure bonds to pay for public works. Hawaiʻi County voters also face a charter question letting the county auditor appoint a deputy.
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.
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.
Hawaiian Home Lands awards leases to 24 families in West Oahu
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded leases to 24 families in West Oahu on Saturday, 16 in Kapolei and eight in Waianae. The homes will be DHHL's first factory-built modular single-family houses, a pilot meant to cut costs and add up to 240 homes a year.
Kauaʻi County announced 16 grant-in-aid recipients for FY 2026-2027
Kauaʻi County's Office of the Mayor awarded nearly $200,000 in grant-in-aid funding to 16 nonprofits for FY 2026-2027, chosen from 54 proposals. Groups could request up to $20,000 for cultural, social or economic projects that can't get adequate state or federal funding.
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.
Kaʻana Manaʻo: Cultivating ancestral crops, farmers, and agricultural entrepreneurs on Molokai
UH's Molokai Farm has collected and propagated 1,200 niu (coconut) from across the island, documenting each one's origin and traits, as part of its revitalization into an educational and community hub. The farm is also growing kalo and has started a new Agricultural Entrepreneurship program.
10/23/26 – HAWAIʻI CLIMATE COMMISSION LAUNCHING WORKSHOPS TO BOOST SOIL HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL RESILIENCE
The Hawaiʻi Climate Commission, housed in DLNR, is launching CASH4ʻĀina workshops on conservation agriculture and soil health. The program is aimed at local farmers, ranchers and land managers and will travel to each island.
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.
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.
Business
Volkswagen to build $4bn Audi SUV factory in US despite job cuts at home
Audi will spend $4 billion to build its first US factory, in Macon, Georgia, with CEO Gernot Döllner announcing it on stage at a Trump rally Saturday. The Guardian notes the move comes as parent Volkswagen cuts jobs at home and struggles with steep US tariffs.
Here are 4 big things we're watching in the stock market this week
Wall Street faces the busiest week of third-quarter earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and fresh inflation data, with Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet reporting. CNBC's Investing Club says the AI trade is wobbling while the midterms and high oil prices from the Middle East add uncertainty; Boeing kicks things off Tuesday.
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.
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.
Jackdaw gas field gets green light
The UK Energy Secretary has cleared the regulator to approve gas production at the North Sea Jackdaw field, which could start supplying British homes as soon as the end of this month. The Chancellor also announced a new Energy Wealth Fund with a £2 billion down payment to reinvest oil and gas revenue into the climate transition.
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.
Why small-town utility companies are the most vulnerable to AI cyberattacks
Small-town public utilities are among the most exposed to AI-assisted cyberattacks, Quartz reports, citing the case of Littleton, Massachusetts, whose utility was penetrated by the Chinese state-backed group Volt Typhoon. The utility's general manager initially hung up on the FBI agent who called to warn him, thinking it was a scam.
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.
Millennials are having their midlife career crisis
Quartz reports that many millennials feel stuck in a midlife career crisis despite upbeat statistics about their rise into senior management. It follows people like Ayano Swisher, who turned a pandemic ceramics hobby into her business, Sad Girl Lab, after being laid off.
A consultant is going viral for exposing the cringe-worthy DMs bosses send employees
Management consultant George Stern has gone viral sharing anonymous messages employees received from bosses, including ones sent on wedding days and after a death in the family. NPR profiles him and his aim of pushing managers toward better behavior.
Town CEO Jean-Denis Greze on why most people still don’t know what to ask AI
Fast Company talks with Jean-Denis Greze, CEO of AI assistant startup Town, which raised a $108 million Series B at a $1 billion valuation on Oct. 19. The former Plaid CTO says most people still use AI like a fancy search engine rather than having it do tasks for them, and Town aims to change that for small and mid-sized businesses.
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.
Tech
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.
Some iPhone Duo displays are cracking, seemingly all in the same way
Some owners of Apple's new iPhone Duo say the inner screen cracked on its own within a day of launch, always along the hinge line with a stuck block of white pixels. 9to5Mac has seen about ten cases; Apple Stores have mostly swapped devices, while some carrier buyers had less luck.
Can AI diagnose like a team of doctors? New research puts it to the test
Microsoft's AI health team says its diagnostic system MAI-DxO was 1.7 times as accurate as physicians on common emergency department cases and more than twice as accurate on complex NEJM cases. The research, published in Science, also found it reached diagnoses at a half to a third of the cost with fewer tests.
Amazon data center communities: Here’s what’s happening near data centers across the US
Amazon's newsroom collects community projects near its US data centers, including a grant that fully funded a rooftop solar system for the Louisa County Resource Council in Virginia. The council expects to save about $1,000 a month, which it estimates could pay for nearly 48,000 meals a year.
Origin Range Requests: Serving large files without range-request tuning
Cloudflare rebuilt how its cache handles HTTP range requests, which previously could pull 128 MiB from an origin to serve a viewer seeking a few megabytes into a video. For its R2 object storage, p99 time to first byte dropped by about half, and a follow-up change cut tiered cache traffic.
Bringing post-quantum cryptography to geographically fenced key management
Cloudflare launched a post-quantum version of its Geo Key Manager in closed beta, part of its Data Localization Suite. It wraps each customer decryption key so only Cloudflare servers in an allowed geography can unlock it, with general availability planned for Q1 2027.
See what 5 builders are making with Gemini 4 Argon
Google is showcasing five community projects built with Gemini 4 Argon, its new frontier model rolled out broadly last week. Examples include a globe that maps tectonic shockwaves in real time and a 3D multiplayer game, and Google says Argon outperforms other frontier models on benchmarks in coding, finance, legal and science.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's career advice: Most people don't land their dream job at 22—and that's okay
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees' families at a "Bring Your Parents to Work Day" that he once wanted to be a sportscaster and spent three college summers at Fox's Good Day New York. His advice: most people don't land their dream job at 22, and that's okay.
Starlink seems to be working normally again in Ukraine
SpaceX appears to have lifted restrictions on the Ukrainian military's use of Starshield, the military version of Starlink, after 10 days in which drones lost connectivity at speeds around 100 mph. Ukraine's defense minister said service seems normal again, though the military is still testing and has had no explanation for the slowdown.
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.
The hottest AI wearables and gadgets you should know about
TechCrunch rounds up notable AI wearables and gadgets, from pendants and rings to wristbands, including the $49.99 Bee pendant that records what it hears to create reminders and notes. It notes OpenAI is also working on a compact AI companion device.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fuel Oil Becomes Asia’s Next Cost Shock
High-sulphur fuel oil in Singapore has climbed above the price of the crude used to make it, as disrupted Middle East and Russian supply, steady bunker demand and high freight rates squeeze Asian shipping. Seasonal Gulf supply and more Chinese exports could ease the pressure toward year-end.
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.
Syria's Energy Comeback Could Reshape Middle East Oil and Gas
OilPrice.com looks at Syria's plans to rebuild its energy sector after more than a decade of war, under the transitional government President Ahmed al-Sharaa formed in March 2025. Its location could eventually make it a regional oil and gas hub.
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.
Chainlink
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Patriots
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.
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.
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.
TreVeyon Henderson’s declining role with Patriots is impossible to ignore
TreVeyon Henderson was outsnapped 36-13 by Rhamondre Stevenson in Thursday's loss to the Bears, finishing with three carries for 9 yards and two catches for 14. Musket Fire notes the next pick in his draft, Luther Burden III, had 137 yards and a score against New England.
Drake Maye’s latest red-zone INT spoke volumes for Patriots' future (in the best way)
Drake Maye threw a red-zone interception to linebacker D'Marco Jackson on a flat seam throw to Eli Raridon in the loss at Chicago, killing a drive that could have given New England the lead. Musket Fire argues the way Maye responded says good things about the Patriots' future.
Sunday Patriots Notes: Rookie class making an early impact
After the 30-24 loss to the Bears, Pats Pulpit's Sunday notes say the Patriots' rookie class, projected as developmental, has been relied on heavily through seven weeks. New England's rookies have played the second-most special teams snaps in the league, and Miami is next.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Movies
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.
Netflix’s New 127-Minute WWII Epic Officially Arrives Next Week
Netflix will give Peter Berg's new 127-minute WWII drama, based on a true story, a theatrical release on Oct. 30 and report its box office. Collider says it's part of Netflix's new push to put handpicked titles in theaters.
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.
Quentin Tarantino Surprises Fans with an Early Look at ‘The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth’
At an AFI Fest screening of "Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood," Quentin Tarantino surprised about 900 fans by showing the first 17 minutes of "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth." Tarantino wrote the holiday release, which follows Brad Pitt's stuntman into the 1970s, but handed directing to David Fincher.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
Netflix Adapts the Classic by Clarín: Production Begins on 'La Regenta'
Netflix has begun production on "La Regenta," a contemporary adaptation of Clarín's classic Spanish novel told from a female perspective. Mar Coll directs, and Ester Expósito stars as the Regenta alongside Oriol Pla and Vito Sanz.
Lorcana & SWU
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.
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.
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.
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 | 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.
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.
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.
New Expansion ‘Homeworlds’ Shakes Up the Star Wars Unlimited Meta With New Mechanics
Star Wars Unlimited launched its ninth set, Homeworlds, on Oct. 9 with 260 new cards, the new Fortify keyword, two token cards and a new prestige style. The set focuses on planets, creatures and invading armies, with traits like Gungan, Wookiee and Ewok.
10 Most Valuable Star Wars Unlimited: Homeworlds Cards
Card Gamer ranks the 10 most valuable cards in Star Wars Unlimited: Homeworlds, the game's ninth set. Highlights include serialized cards such as Yanna, Sanctuary Elder, and the set adds the Fortify keyword, Beast tokens and Weakness tokens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mozhda TV goes on air as first Afghan Christian TV channel in historic launch
Mozhda TV, described by its founders as the first Afghan Christian television channel, began broadcasting Saturday, Oct. 24. The satellite channel will carry Christian programming into Afghanistan in local languages, backed by a coalition of mission groups and Afghan church leaders.
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.
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.
Is it censorship when parents ask what books kids read at school?
The Christian Post examines whether parents' questions about school reading lists amount to censorship, starting with Colorado mother Erin Lee. Court filings say her daughter attended what she thought was an art club but was a Gender and Sexualities Alliance meeting.
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.
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.
“Nauseously Optimistic”: The 2026 Vote Through A Legal Lens
On a Religion News Service episode, election attorney Jerry Goldfeder tells Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush he's "nauseously optimistic" about the 2026 vote. He covers election law and voter confidence and urges people to vote early and support election workers, noting vigilance won't end on Nov. 3.
Christian Metal
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.
Feature: Trans-Siberian Orchestra interview with Al Pitrelli
Heaven's Metal interviews Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Al Pitrelli about the 2026 TSO tour. He also tells the story of breaking his leg during a guitar solo and the night he thought he had died on stage.
Mr. Weaverface Surpasses 1 Million Lifetime Streams On Spotify
Independent Christian rock artist Mr. Weaverface has passed 1 million lifetime Spotify streams, and about 1.25 million counting Apple Music and Amazon Music. His music blends '90s alternative rock with themes of spiritual warfare and testimony.
Audio Adrenaline Reunites for a Special Episode of Mission Aviation Fellowship’s 'Cockpit Karaoke'
Audio Adrenaline, which hasn't performed together in nearly 20 years, reunited for Mission Aviation Fellowship's Cockpit Karaoke series. The episode revisits the band's hits and its connection to MAF's ministry in Haiti.
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.
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.
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.
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.