2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix of China – Shanghai Circuit (3477893023) — Derrick Noh from NYC, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
GRID NEWS
Alonso Warns Aston Martin Gearbox Could Force Monaco Retirement
Fernando Alonso has warned that Aston Martin may not be able to race in Monaco if the team’s gearbox problem recurs. “If you have the downshift problem like we had in Miami, probably we cannot even race, because we will crash in one of the braking points,” Alonso said on Thursday. He described drivers as “passengers” when an unexpected downshift creates a push effect from the engine. Lance Stroll added a second Monaco-specific concern: the car loses gear sync below approximately 40km/h, a recurr
Sources: The Race · The Race (Monaco Day 1)
CALENDAR
Las Vegas Grand Prix Locked In Until 2037 Under New F1 Deal
Formula 1 has confirmed a 10-year extension keeping the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the calendar through 2037. The deal, agreed between F1, Las Vegas Grand Prix Inc., Clark County officials and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, runs from 2028 through 2037. F1 President Stefano Domenicali said Las Vegas “would become a cornerstone of our presence in the United States.” Las Vegas Grand Prix President Emily Prazer called the extension “a defining moment for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.” The
Sources: GrandPrix247 · Motorsport.com
TECHNICAL
Teams Deploy Novel Winglets as Monaco Bans Active Aerodynamics
Formula 1 teams have debuted a variety of novel rear wing winglet designs at Monaco after the FIA removed active aerodynamics for the round, deciding the system would offer little benefit and pose safety concerns at the street circuit. With wing actuators made redundant, teams replaced them with fixed winglets designed to generate additional downforce. Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull led with complex multi-element solutions, while Audi, Racing Bulls, Ferrari and Cadillac opted for simpler upper-f
GRID NEWS
Norris and Leclerc Summoned to Stewards Over Late Press Conference Attendance
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were summoned before the FIA stewards on Friday after arriving late to the official Thursday press conference in Monaco. The summons cites an “alleged breach of Article B10.1.1a of the FIA F1 regulations — late attendance of the Thursday press conference.” Both drivers were assigned to the first of two media groups at Monaco. The Thursday conference is broadcast live, and Article B10 of the sporting regulations mandates punctual participation. The offence is at t
Sources: Motorsport.com · GPFans
GRID NEWS
Newey Returns to F1 Paddock at Monaco After Three-Month Absence
Adrian Newey is set to return to the Formula 1 paddock at Monaco, his first trackside appearance since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March. Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack confirmed the news on Thursday: “I think we’ll see him this weekend — he has a lot of experience here. Many race wins here, so I think there is certainly one or the other advice that we can get that will bring us forward.” Newey, 67, joined Aston Martin in a managing technical partner role and was
Sources: Crash.net · Motorsport.com
GRID NEWS
Hamilton Credits “Italian Bono” Relationship for Ferrari Transformation
Lewis Hamilton has credited his working relationship with Ferrari race engineer Carlos Santi for transforming his 2026 season, calling Santi “my Italian Bono” in reference to Peter Bonnington, the Mercedes engineer who guided Hamilton to six of his seven world titles. “The engineer set-up is a million times better than it was last year. I’m starting to see the fruits of that through driving the car,” Hamilton said in Monaco. Hamilton’s debut Ferrari season was hampered by miscommunications with
Sources: The Race
GRID NEWS
Sainz Reveals Williams’ 2026 Start Was a Test of Faith
Carlos Sainz admitted at Monaco that Williams’s difficult 2026 start tested his faith in the team for the first time. “When you go from scoring podiums at the end of last year to suddenly being two and a half seconds off the pace, that was a big test of faith or a big shock to the system,” he said. Sainz added he was “the first one to say to James [Vowles] and to the management that it was not expected.” He acknowledged the team overdelivered with its 2025 car, raising his expectations, but said
Sources: The Race
CHAMPIONSHIP
Antonelli and Russell Signal Free Racing as Mercedes Title Fight Intensifies
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have addressed their intra-team championship battle ahead of Monaco, with both drivers indicating the racing will remain as fierce as it was in Canada. Antonelli told media drivers cannot be “leashed,” while Russell said he has “nothing to lose” and will race accordingly. Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 131 points, 43 ahead of Russell in second, after four consecutive victories. Russell retired from the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix with a power
Sources: GrandPrix247 · Motorsport.com
Cadet Field House Ice Arena USAFA Colorado Springs — Unknown, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
PLAYOFFS
Jarvis Powers Carolina to OT Victory, Ties Stanley Cup Final at 1–1
Seth Jarvis converted a power-play goal 3:56 into overtime Thursday night, lifting the Carolina Hurricanes past the Vegas Golden Knights 4–3 to even the Stanley Cup Final at 1–1. Jarvis, fed by Shayne Gostisbehere, wired a one-timer past Carter Hart at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Carolina had trailed 2–0 before Logan Stankoven, Mark Jankowski, and captain Jordan Staal scored three times in 5:05 in the third period, with Staal’s tally coming on a power play. Vegas answered to tie it 3–3 with 1:21 r
Sources: NHL.com
INJURY
McNabb Transported to Hospital After 87 mph Puck Strikes Face in Game 2
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday after being struck in the face by a puck in the first period. McNabb was positioned in front of his own net when a slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers, traveling at 87 mph, hit him near the visor at 10:52 of the opening frame. He was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. McNabb, 35, had recorded seven points in 17 playoff games heading into Game 2, and his availability for Game
Sources: ESPN
PLAYOFFS
Tortorella’s Failed Challenge Opens the Door — Carolina’s Power Play Does the Rest
The Carolina Hurricanes’ power play, which had gone scoreless without registering a shot on goal in Game 1, was ignited in the third period of Game 2 on Thursday when Vegas coach John Tortorella challenged a “no goal” goaltender interference ruling. The challenge failed, drawing a delay-of-game penalty that gave Carolina the man advantage. Captain Jordan Staal converted the resulting power play — the Hurricanes’ third goal of the third period — to put Carolina ahead 3–2. Carolina’s man advantage
Sources: CBS Sports
PLAYOFFS
Marner Leads All 2026 Playoff Scorers, Carrying a Redemption Narrative Into the Cup Final
Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner leads all 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff scorers in points, completing a notable personal turnaround after years of criticism over his postseason performances with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner, who was traded from Toronto to Las Vegas before this season, is the postseason’s top scorer as the Golden Knights make their run to the Cup Final. He missed his club’s morning skate ahead of Game 2 on Thursday after taking a puck off his left knee in the waning secon
Sources: TSN
PLAYOFFS
Stanley Cup Final Moves to Las Vegas for Game 3 With Series Knotted at 1–1
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final shifts to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday after the first two games split in Raleigh. The Vegas Golden Knights retain home-ice advantage in the series despite dropping Game 2 in overtime on Thursday, and will host Games 3 and 4 before the series returns to Carolina if needed. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET. The Golden Knights eliminated the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in a Western Conference Finals s
Sources: NHL.com
DRAFT
McKenna Takes Center Stage as NHL Scouting Combine Wraps Up in Buffalo
Top prospect Gavin McKenna headlined the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine this week in Buffalo, meeting with at least eight teams ahead of the June 26 draft. McKenna, ranked first among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s final list, arrived at KeyBank Center and LECOM HarborCenter having prepared with weeks of workouts in Kelowna, British Columbia. The 18-year-old, expected to be selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs who won the draft lottery on May 5, displayed an Indigenous
Sources: NHL.com
Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium 2009 — Taisyo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
INJURY
Yankees Star Aaron Judge Diagnosed with Rib Stress Fracture, Headed to Injured List
The New York Yankees announced Thursday that reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the first rib on his right side. Judge will be placed on the 10-day injured list Friday ahead of a home series against Boston. The team scheduled follow-up imaging in four to six weeks, with a return to baseball activities expected only after that assessment. Judge had missed New York’s previous three games while the organization awaited clarity. Sports Illustrated reported his i
Sources: ESPN · MLB Trade Rumors
RECAP
Giants Complete Series Split with 12-9 Win, Hit Fifth Grand Slam of 17-Game Span
The San Francisco Giants ended a series split in Milwaukee on Thursday with a 12-9 victory, punctuated by Eric Haase’s grand slam in a six-run seventh inning — the franchise’s fifth in a 17-game span, the shortest stretch for five slams in Giants history. Casey Schmitt opened the scoring with a home run on the game’s first pitch off Coleman Crow, who was chased after 2.1 innings. Jung Hoo Lee finished with four hits in San Francisco’s 20-hit attack. Jackson Chourio homered twice for the Brewers,
RECAP
Wheeler Dominates, Phillies Complete Season Sweep of Padres to Take Wild Card Lead
Zack Wheeler carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, allowed two hits over seven innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 6-4 Thursday to complete a season sweep and leapfrog San Diego in the NL wild-card standings. Adolis García hit his fifth home run of the season off Lucas Giolito in the fifth inning to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. Manny Machado’s homer accounted for two of San Diego’s runs off Wheeler, who struck out eight. Interim manager Don Mattingly’s Phillies
RECAP
Rodón Deals as Yankees Salvage Series Finale Over Guardians Without Judge
Carlos Rodón allowed one run and two hits over six innings with seven strikeouts, and the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 Thursday to close out the series. Jazz Chisholm Jr. tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, then opened the seventh with a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Ryan McMahon single for the go-ahead run. Codi Heuer took the loss after allowing the rally. The Yankees have won seven of their last 10 games w
RECAP
Chad Dallas Shines in MLB Debut as Blue Jays Top Braves in Series Finale
Chad Dallas made his major league debut Thursday, allowing one run in 3.2 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 and won the series finale. Dallas was joined by five relievers in holding Atlanta to a combined four hits. Myles Straw drove in three runs on two hits as part of Toronto’s 16-hit attack. Chris Sale, who entered the game at 8-4, surrendered three runs on a season-high 10 hits over 5.2 innings and took the loss. The Braves had won the first two games of the series,
RECAP
Orioles Score Six in First Inning, Beat Red Sox 8-2 as Coby Mayo Leads the Charge
The Baltimore Orioles erupted for six runs in the first inning, led by Coby Mayo’s bases-clearing double, and beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 Thursday. Taylor Ward had three hits, including a leadoff double and an RBI single in that frame, which tied the Orioles’ season high for runs in a single inning. Adley Rutschman extended his on-base streak to 15 games with an RBI single, one game short of his longest career streak. Trevor Rogers took the mound for Baltimore, carrying a no-hitter into the fift
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
RECAP
Crow-Armstrong’s Ninth-Inning Single Caps Rally as Cubs Avoid Sweep by Athletics
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s bloop RBI single capped a four-run ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Athletics 7-6 Thursday, avoiding a three-game sweep. The Cubs had just four hits in the first eight innings before erupting for seven hits in the ninth. Crow-Armstrong also hit his ninth home run of the season in the sixth inning. Ian Happ homered and drove in three runs for Chicago. The Athletics appeared in control after Tyler Soderstrom and Jonah Heim hit consecutive home runs in the seventh in
Amdahl 5860 Computer Air Cooled Logic processor die — Mister rf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
AI
Anthropic Near $1T IPO: Daniela Amodei Defends AI Returns at Bloomberg Tech
Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei, speaking at the Bloomberg Tech conference Thursday, defended the company’s IPO plans, saying AI frontier companies will need ongoing access to large-scale capital. “It’s a really big upfront cost to train the models and to serve inference on them,” she said. Anthropic filed confidentially for an IPO last week after raising $65 billion in a Series H round valuing the company at $965 billion. Annualized revenue crossed $47 billion in May, up from roughly $9 bil
Sources: TechCrunch
HARDWARE
Hello Robot Releases Stretch 4, a $30,000 Home Assistance Robot Designed for Real People
Hello Robot, a Bay Area startup founded by former Google robotics director Aaron Edsinger, released the fourth generation of its Stretch home-assistance robot last month. Stretch 4 costs $30,000 and the first run of 200 to 300 units has already sold out. Unlike the humanoid robots attracting peak investor attention, Stretch uses a telescoping arm with pinchers and a wheeled base, prioritizing safe operation over maximum capability. Keith Platt, a quadriplegic user, told TechCrunch he reduced the
Sources: TechCrunch
SOFTWARE
Poke Becomes First AI Agent Approved on Apple’s Messages for Business
Startup Poke became the first AI agent approved to operate on Apple’s Messages for Business platform, marking a notable opening of the iMessage ecosystem to AI-powered services. Launched in March by The Interaction Company of California, Poke operates over SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp and now iMessage, helping users with daily planning, calendar management, health tracking, smart home control, and photo editing entirely by text message. The company has relayed 100 million messages to date. Poke p
Sources: TechCrunch
INDUSTRY
Serve Robotics Expands Beyond Food with Autonomous Laundry Delivery
Serve Robotics is expanding into laundry delivery through a new partnership with NoScrubs, marking the company’s first commercial urban delivery service outside food. A pilot launched this week in select Los Angeles neighborhoods using Serve’s existing fleet of autonomous sidewalk robots. Serve operates approximately 2,000 robots across the United States, including 500 in Los Angeles. NoScrubs operates across seven major US metros. The online laundry services market is projected to grow from app
Sources: Robotics & Automation News
SOFTWARE
Meta Launches AI Creator Assistant on Facebook to Personalize Content Advice
Meta launched an AI creator assistant on Facebook Thursday, giving creators a conversational tool to understand performance and plan content without navigating charts and dashboards. The assistant draws on each creator’s own data to answer questions such as “When should I post?” and can suggest trending audio or content tied to cultural moments. It is rolling out initially to creators in the US, Canada, and India. Meta also announced expanded language support for its AI video translation feature
Sources: TechCrunch
SOFTWARE
Inbolt Launches AI Vision Platform That Cuts Industrial Robot Commissioning from Weeks to One Shot
Inbolt, a robot intelligence startup, is launching two new products at Automate 2026 in Chicago later this month: Robot Programming and an expanded Robot Control. The platform allows engineers to program robots directly from CAD models; Inbolt’s Vision Model then locates actual parts on the factory floor and adjusts robot motion to match, eliminating weeks of manual trajectory tuning during commissioning. CEO Rudy Cohen described the approach as “one platform from perception to motion.” The Robo
Sources: Robotics & Automation News
AI
Genesis AI Launches World 1.0, a Simulation Platform That Cuts Robot Testing from Days to Minutes
Genesis AI launched Genesis World 1.0, a robotics simulation platform designed to compress evaluation cycles from days to minutes. A typical object-handling evaluation requiring 40,000 attempts — approximately 166 hours on real hardware — can be completed in about 30 minutes on a GPU cluster, the company said. Simulation results now correlate with real-world robot performance at approximately 89 percent, making virtual testing a reliable proxy for physical tests. The platform includes Nyx, a pho
Sources: Robotics & Automation News
Interview eeeeeeeeeeeu — Diwaz11, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
LAYOFFS
Tech Layoffs Surpass 142,000 in 2026 as AI Infrastructure Investment Drives Mass Workforce Reduction
American technology companies have eliminated more than 142,000 jobs in the first five months of 2026 — a 33% increase over the same period last year — as major players including Meta, Oracle, Amazon, and Cisco redirect billions toward AI infrastructure. According to multiple trackers, nearly 50,000 of those cuts are directly linked to AI automation and workflow restructuring. The industry is on pace for a full-year total approaching 370,000 job losses. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are
LAYOFFS
Oracle’s 30,000-Employee Reduction Stands as 2026’s Largest Single Layoff Event
Oracle delivered 2026’s single largest workforce reduction in late March, cutting approximately 30,000 employees with immediate effect via early morning termination emails. The cuts, described by Oracle as “a broader organizational change,” concentrated primarily in cloud infrastructure and legacy enterprise software divisions. Analysts note the move reflects Oracle’s accelerating push into AI-native cloud architecture, which requires fewer human operators to manage at scale. The reduction arriv
LAYOFFS
Meta Freezes 6,000 Open Roles Following 8,000-Person Workforce Reduction
Meta has officially executed its announced 10% workforce reduction, eliminating approximately 8,000 positions with a focus on Reality Labs and mid-level engineering roles. Simultaneously, the company has closed or frozen roughly 6,000 previously open roles, reflecting a strategic shift away from headcount growth toward AI-driven productivity. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has indicated the company is redirecting some positions toward AI-specialized roles, but only a fraction of displaced workers are expec
HIRING
Salesforce CEO Benioff: Only Sales Is Hiring as AI Productivity Ends Engineer Headcount Growth
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff confirmed in late May that the company’s engineering headcount has not grown for roughly two years, with AI productivity tools absorbing workloads that would otherwise require new hires. Benioff stated the company plans no new software engineering or general administrative hiring in 2026, while continuing to add 1,000 to 2,000 sales staff to support its AI product suite. Salesforce is reportedly committing nearly $300 million to Anthropic AI tokens in 2026 alone. The
HIRING
Survey: 66% of CEOs Plan Hiring Freezes Through End of 2026 Amid AI Workforce Restructuring
A survey of more than 350 public-company CEOs and investors managing $19 trillion in assets found that 66% plan to freeze or cut hiring through the remainder of 2026. The data signals a structural workforce inflection rather than a cyclical slowdown, with companies explicitly linking reduced headcount targets to AI adoption timelines. The impact is most acute in roles involving content creation, customer support, data entry, and basic software development. Recruiters report the freezes are creat
HR TECH
SHRM Annual Conference Opens June 16 in Orlando with AI in Recruiting as Defining Theme
The SHRM Annual Conference, the largest gathering of HR professionals in the world, opens June 16 in Orlando with artificial intelligence in talent acquisition as its defining theme. More than 25,000 HR professionals, TA leaders, and CHROs are expected across 375-plus expert-led sessions and 650-plus exhibitors at SHRM26. The AI, Data & Tech track has been the most restructured year-over-year, with sessions focused on AI bias mitigation, ROI frameworks, and integrating agentic AI into recruiting
COMPENSATION
AI Engineers Command 12% Salary Premium as Entry-Level Tech Employment Falls Nearly 20%
AI and machine learning engineers now command a 12% salary premium over general software engineers in 2026, according to new compensation benchmarks. The average senior software engineer salary in the United States has reached $202,720 annually, with top-tier companies offering $200,000 to $350,000 or more in total compensation when equity is included. A stark counterweight emerges in the data: employment for software developers aged 22 to 25 has fallen nearly 20% since 2024, as AI automation di
HIRING
LinkedIn 2026 Talent Report: Applications Per Open Job Have Doubled as Candidate Competition Intensifies
LinkedIn’s 2026 Talent Report reveals that applications per open job in the United States have doubled since spring 2022, creating intense competition for available roles even as hiring momentum in some sectors continues. The report finds 52% of professionals globally are actively seeking new positions, while 93% of recruiters now plan to increase AI usage in hiring workflows. AI is already helping 59% of surveyed recruiters identify candidates they would not have found through traditional sourc
HR TECH
Recruiting Platforms Top HR Tech Budget Priorities as Three-Quarters of TA Leaders Plan Platform Switch
Recruiting platforms have emerged as the top technology investment priority for talent acquisition leaders heading into the second half of 2026, according to HR Executive. The research found that while 82% of TA leaders report satisfaction with their current recruiting systems, more than three-quarters expect to replace their primary platform within two years. AI-powered screening, agentic scheduling tools, and integrated analytics suites are driving the consolidation push. Platform vendors have
EXECUTIVE
Apple Names John Ternus CEO to Succeed Tim Cook in High-Profile Tech Leadership Transition
Apple announced in April that John Ternus, the company’s 51-year-old Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will succeed Tim Cook as Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2026. Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, will transition to Executive Chairman of the board. Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and is widely credited with leading the development of the M-series silicon chips and Apple Vision Pro hardware. The appointment sets the stage for a significant leadership transition at the
Volunteerism and Community Service in Ukraine Photo Contest, Sept-Nov, 2013 (10959123624) — U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
POLICY
Supreme Court Allows Alabama’s Racially Discriminatory Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Alabama to use a congressional map eliminating a district where Black voters had the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. The 6-3 ruling follows the court’s April 29 decision eroding Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which struck down a majority-Black Louisiana district. Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida swiftly moved to redraw their maps. “The court’s decision gives cover to Alabama and others to deliberately and ope
Sources: Nonprofit Quarterly
PHILANTHROPY
Melinda French Gates Commits Another $50 Million to Women’s Health, Calls on Other Donors
Melinda French Gates this week committed another $50 million to women’s health organizations, bringing her total since leaving the Gates Foundation in 2024 to more than $600 million. The Menopause Society will receive $10 million to train frontline providers; Co-Impact, a collaborative funding women-led nonprofits in Africa, will receive $40 million to integrate mental health into maternal care. French Gates called on major donors to match her urgency. “When women are healthier, their families,
Sources: Chronicle of Philanthropy
IMPACT
New Research Points to an Achievable Pro-Trans Majority—If Movements Choose to Build It
A recent Voss Research poll found only 35 percent of respondents support policies to limit transgender freedoms, while 49 percent believe trans people should have the freedom to be themselves—evidence that the assumed anti-trans majority is a political fiction, writes organizer Jess St. Louis in Convergence. Right-wing groups spent over $200 million on anti-trans messaging in 2024, creating false “social proof” that opposition is the mainstream view. St. Louis and co-authors identify four strate
Sources: Nonprofit Quarterly
IMPACT
Trump’s Museum Edits Threaten Community History—Nonprofits and Funders Are Pushing Back
The Trump administration’s executive order directing federal institutions to “restore truth” has already resulted in the removal of a slavery display at Independence Hall. Scholars and museum directors told Nonprofit Quarterly that White House interference risks homogenizing a national narrative that erases community-centered histories. The Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., offers a counter-model: exhibits co-created with residents honor everyday advocates like 95-year-old food jus
Sources: Nonprofit Quarterly
ACCOUNTABILITY
Community Accountability, Not Donor Comfort, Must Drive Nonprofit Boards
Nonprofit boards risk drifting toward serving organizational comfort rather than community need, warns consultant Kristin Lincoln in Nonprofit Quarterly. The core problem, she argues, is that boards built primarily around wealth and professional credentials filter decisions through privileged perspectives rather than those the mission exists to serve. Lincoln proposes a governance discipline anchored in the question “Who does this serve?”—applied to financial oversight, executive evaluation, and
Sources: Nonprofit Quarterly
PHILANTHROPY
How American Independence 250 Years Ago Created the Nonprofit Sector We Know Today
As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Smithsonian curator Amanda Moniz traces how the American Revolution transformed charitable giving and civic infrastructure. The colonial era’s elite, church-controlled giving gave way in the 1780s and 1790s to mutual aid organizations, humane societies, and women-led charities. Black Americans like Dolphin Garler—who risked his life to rescue a drowning boy in 1794—received awards from anti-drowning groups on equal terms
Sources: Nonprofit Quarterly
MoviePremiereSetup — John Barreiros, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
INDUSTRY
Disney Launches ‘Main Street,’ Its First Company-Wide Creative Marketing Agency
The Walt Disney Company launched Main Street, its first company-wide creative marketing agency, consolidating two longstanding in-house units — Yellow Shoes, which handled Disney Parks and cruise campaigns, and The Hive, which oversaw film and television creative — under a single entity. Carrie Brzezinski-Hsu has been named Head of Creative Execution, leading marketing talent across entertainment, sports, consumer products, and experiences while continuing to oversee ESPN’s Creative Studio. Chie
Sources: Deadline
INDUSTRY
SAG-AFTRA Members Ratify Four-Year Studio Deal With AI Performance Protections
SAG-AFTRA members voted Thursday to ratify a new four-year contract with the major studios, approving the deal by a margin of 91.4% in favor with a 19.3% turnout of eligible members. The agreement limits the use of synthetic AI performers to cases where they provide “significant additional value” over a live actor or that actor’s digital avatar. The deal also merges the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and the AFTRA Retirement Fund into a single plan, with studios contributing an extra 1% to the combi
Sources: Variety
BOX OFFICE
‘Scary Movie’ Reboot Opens to $7.5M in Previews, Comping With ‘Scream 7’
The Scary Movie reboot from Paramount and Miramax launched Thursday previews to an estimated $7.5 million, a strong number for a comedy that puts it alongside Scream 7’s $7.8 million previews, which powered that franchise to a record $63.6 million opening. The Michael Tiddes-directed ensemble starring Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and Marlon and Shawn Wayans was produced for $30 million and was originally expected to open to $40 million–$45 million domestically. The Wayans Brothers and Rick Alvarez p
Sources: Deadline
BOX OFFICE
DC’s ‘Supergirl’ Opens Three-Week Tracking at $55M-Plus for June 26 Release
DC Studios and Warner Bros.’ Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock in the title role, entered three-week tracking Thursday with a domestic opening outlook of $55 million-plus for its June 26 release. Unaided awareness is nearly even among men and women under and over 25, polling above comparable releases including Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu ($81.6 million domestic opening) and Thunderbolts* ($74.3 million). The campaign is ramping up, with
Sources: Deadline
BOX OFFICE
YouTube Sensation ‘The Amazing Digital Circus’ Wins Thursday Box Office With $6.8M
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act, from Fathom Entertainment and Glitch Productions, opened to an estimated $6.8 million on Thursday across 2,221 theaters, topping A24’s Backrooms for the day’s No. 1 slot. The film is the long-awaited conclusion to the adult animated series created by Gooseworx, which amassed a reported 25 billion YouTube views since its 2022 launch before streaming on Netflix. An earlier projection of $15 million–$18 million for the four-day opening was revised down to $
Sources: Deadline