SAMWISE
Good morning John. Here is your personal morning briefing · samwise.agency
Thursday, June 18, 2026
DRIVER MARKET
Verstappen Exit Clause Confirmed as Manager Hints at Pre-Summer Decision
Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen has publicly confirmed the four-time world champion holds an exit clause in his Red Bull contract. The clause allows Verstappen to leave after 2026 if he is not inside the top two in the standings at the summer break. With Verstappen seventh on 55 points — 101 behind leader Kimi Antonelli — activation is highly likely. Vermeulen indicated a decision on Verstappen's future could come before the summer break. Mercedes, holders of the dominant 2026 car, have been strongly linked. Toto Wolff has publicly pursued Verstappen for consecutive seasons, and this summer represents the most realistic opportunity yet for a move to the Silver Arrows.
FIA Grants Mercedes Hearing on Russell's Monaco Penalty as Right of Review Process Continues
FIA stewards have confirmed a virtual hearing on Saturday to assess Mercedes' Right of Review request over George Russell's Monaco Grand Prix penalties. The hearing will first determine whether Mercedes has presented new and significant evidence unavailable at the time of the original decision. Russell received a five-second penalty for pitlane speeding at Monaco and a subsequent drive-through after stewards ruled it had not been correctly served. Alpine's successful review for Pierre Gasly — which restored his third-place finish after FOM acknowledged an error in the timing system's distance measurement — gives Mercedes grounds to argue the same discrepancy affected Russell's penalty.
Madrid GP Promoters Prepare Night Shifts to Complete Madring Circuit Before September Debut
Madrid Grand Prix organisers say they are prepared to run 24-hour construction shifts at the Madring circuit to ensure the venue is ready for its September Formula 1 debut. A circuit director told Reuters the site's licence permits night working and that buffer time has been built in. The FIA has completed two mandatory circuit inspections, with a third scheduled for mid-August. Organisers also confirmed the asphalt will be water-blasted before the race to improve grip. Race ambassador Carlos Sainz unveiled the official event poster and his personal Team Fifty5 fan zone grandstand at a ceremony earlier this week.
Leclerc and Zhou Log Over 2,800 Kilometres in Barcelona Pirelli Tyre Development Test
Ferrari reserve Arthur Leclerc and Cadillac's Zhou Guanyu completed a Pirelli tyre development test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday. Leclerc set 141 laps across 657 kilometres with a best time of 1:17.430, while Zhou logged 130 laps over 605 kilometres, best 1:19.321. The sessions form part of Pirelli's 2026 tyre evaluation programme as the Italian manufacturer refines its compounds mid-season. Over the two days, more than 2,800 kilometres were accumulated at the venue across all participating cars. The Barcelona circuit hosted what is likely its final Formula 1 race last weekend ahead of Madrid taking over the Spanish Grand Prix from 2027.
Hamilton Tells Ferrari He Wants More Red on the Car After Childhood Livery Nostalgia
Lewis Hamilton has told Ferrari the current car's livery does not carry enough red, singling out the white cockpit area as an element he wants returned to the team's traditional colour. Hamilton joined the Scuderia this season after twelve years at Mercedes and made the comments in an interview published Wednesday, days after his first Ferrari race victory in Barcelona. The win ended a five-race run of victories for Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes. Hamilton said the white cockpit does not resemble the classic Ferrari liveries he remembers from his childhood, adding that he will continue working with the team on future livery decisions.
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 115 pts
3. George Russell — 106 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Lando Norris — 73 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 68 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 55 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 41 pts
9. Isack Hadjar — 34 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 28 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 16 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz Jr. — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pt
19. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Perez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren — 141 pts
4. Red Bull — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pt
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Penske Rated IndyCar’s Top Team at 2026 Midpoint
Team Penske has emerged as IndyCar’s strongest organization at the 2026 midpoint, according to RACER’s mid-season report card published June 17. Penske moved from third in 2025 to first in the midseason team rankings, with David Malukas third in points, Josef Newgarden sixth and Scott McLaughlin seventh after nine of 18 races. Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull graded his team a B, saying it is doing a really good job but there is room for improvement. Alex Palou sits at 342 points through nine races, down from 386 at the same stage in 2025, narrowing his cushion over second-place Kyle Kirkwood to 49 points.
Aero and Boost Tweaks Reshaped Strategy at Gateway
IndyCar mandated aerodynamic tweaks to reduce downforce and lowered turbocharger boost pressure for the June 7 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, Frontstretch reported June 17. The 2026 pole speed fell almost six mph below 2025’s mark, and tire falloff proved less severe than in past years. The race produced 475 total passes, 268 of them for position, an event record. However, the reduced falloff blunted late-race strategy: despite fresh tires, Pato O’Ward, Will Power, Christian Lundgaard and Marcus Armstrong managed only a handful of late passes. There were no tire failures at the 1.25-mile oval.
Arrow McLaren Leans on Road-Course Form at Road America
Arrow McLaren enters the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America carrying road-course momentum, the team said in its June 17 race preview. Through nine races the team has one win, 10 top-five finishes and three podiums, with Christian Lundgaard fourth and Pato O’Ward fifth in points. Lundgaard, who scored his win on the IMS road course, said the team has had its best races on road courses this season and called the weekend a chance to build momentum. O’Ward said Road America is a demanding, physical test where the team has had success. The 4.014-mile, 14-turn road course hosts round 10 of 18 on Sunday, June 21.
Andretti Global Hunts First Road-Course Win of 2026
Andretti Global arrives at Road America hunting its first road-course win of 2026, the team said in its June 17 preview. Andretti comes off a strong Bommarito 500, where Marcus Ericsson finished second for his best result of the season and Kyle Kirkwood and Will Power both placed in the top eight. Kirkwood, second in points on 293, finished fourth at Road America last year, while Power won the 2016 race there. The team’s most recent natural road-course victory came via Alexander Rossi in 2019. Team principal Ron Ruzewski said the squad hopes to turn its recent test at the 4.014-mile circuit into results.
Lundgaard Eyed as Palou’s Next Title Challenger
Christian Lundgaard could position himself as Alex Palou’s biggest championship challenger over the next two races, an Inside Line panelist noted in indycar.com’s June 17 column. Lundgaard sits fourth in points but owns five consecutive podium finishes on permanent road courses, having finished first at the Sonsio Grand Prix on the IMS road course and second at Barber Motorsports Park this season. The Danish driver has yet to crack the top five at Road America, where his best result is seventh. The series visits the 4-mile Wisconsin road course Sunday, June 21, a track type that has produced Lundgaard’s strongest 2026 results so far.
Newgarden Brings Gateway Momentum to Road America
Josef Newgarden carries momentum into the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America after winning the June 7 Bommarito 500, FOX Sports noted in its June 16 odds preview, listing him at 10/1. The Team Penske driver claimed his sixth career win at World Wide Technology Raceway and his second of 2026, lifting him to sixth in the standings on 238 points. Newgarden owns two prior Road America victories. He is one of only two drivers, alongside Alex Palou, with multiple wins this season. Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin is listed at 10/1 as well for Sunday’s 10th round of the 18-race campaign.
Drivers’ Championship
1. Alex Palou — 342 pts
2. Kyle Kirkwood — 293 pts
3. David Malukas — 274 pts
4. Christian Lundgaard — 246 pts
5. Pato O’Ward — 239 pts
6. Josef Newgarden — 238 pts
7. Scott McLaughlin — 222 pts
8. Felix Rosenqvist — 221 pts
9. Marcus Ericsson — 196 pts
10. Marcus Armstrong — 196 pts
11. Graham Rahal — 193 pts
12. Scott Dixon — 192 pts
13. Rinus VeeKay — 175 pts
14. Alexander Rossi — 152 pts
15. Kyffin Simpson — 147 pts
16. Santino Ferrucci — 146 pts
17. Will Power — 145 pts
18. Dennis Hauger — 133 pts
19. Louis Foster — 131 pts
20. Romain Grosjean — 117 pts
21. Nolan Siegel — 116 pts
22. Christian Rasmussen — 112 pts
23. Caio Collet — 99 pts
24. Sting Ray Robb — 89 pts
25. Mick Schumacher — 89 pts
26. Conor Daly — 24 pts
27. Takuma Sato — 20 pts
28. Jack Harvey — 8 pts
29. Jacob Abel — 6 pts
30. Helio Castroneves — 5 pts
31. Ed Carpenter — 5 pts
32. Ryan Hunter-Reay — 5 pts
33. Katherine Legge — 5 pts
Teams’ Championship
1. Chip Ganassi Racing — 1010 pts
2. Team Penske — 879 pts
3. Andretti Global — 735 pts
4. Arrow McLaren — 507 pts
5. Rahal Letterman Lanigan — 344 pts
6. Meyer Shank Racing — 315 pts
7. Ed Carpenter Racing — 292 pts
8. Juncos Hollinger Racing — 240 pts
9. A.J. Foyt Racing — 235 pts
10. Dale Coyne Racing — 19 pts
11. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing — 5 pts
WEC
Ferrari Points to “Unbalanced” Hypercar Field After Le Mans Struggles
Ferrari has attributed its below-par 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours result to what the manufacturer describes as an “unbalanced” Hypercar field. Mauro Barbieri, Ferrari's endurance chief designer, suggested the Scuderia was handicapped by an inferior Balance of Performance allocation, without explicitly mentioning the system. The best of the three Ferrari 499Ps, the No. 51 shared by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, finished fifth — more than two minutes behind the winning No. 8 Toyota. Barbieri insisted Ferrari executed a perfect race and that fifth was the maximum the car could achieve, with the manufacturer losing time in low-speed corners rather than on straights.
Kobayashi Reveals Le Mans Winner Ran in “Safe Mode” After Driveshaft Sensor Fault
The No. 7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid that won the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans was compromised by a driveshaft sensor fault that forced the car to run in back-up mode, costing it as much as 8 km/h in top speed. Toyota technical director David Floury confirmed the issue first appeared on Saturday night and could not be fully resolved. After analysing data, the team identified the conditions triggering default mode and briefed the drivers to avoid them. Kamui Kobayashi confirmed the challenge post-race, noting the sensor problem improved in the final hours — allowing the No. 7 to push for the lead and hold off BMW by 10.9 seconds.
Conway, Kobayashi and De Vries Lead WEC Hypercar Drivers' Title Hunt with Five Rounds Remaining
Toyota's Le Mans victory has vaulted Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway and Nyck de Vries to the top of the 2026 WEC Hypercar Drivers' Championship with 75 points. BMW's René Rast and Robin Frijns sit four points behind on 71, while team-mate Sheldon van der Linde is third on 61. The Toyota crew of Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa and Sébastien Buemi lie fourth on 56 points. Ferrari's trio of Pier Guidi, Calado and Giovinazzi have dropped to fifth on 39. Toyota also leads the Manufacturers' Championship on 132 points, 36 clear of BMW, with five rounds remaining in the eight-round season.
IMSA Releases Record 54-Car Entry List for Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen
IMSA has confirmed a 54-car entry for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, New York, scheduled for June 25–28. The field spans 11 GTP and 11 LMP2 entries, 12 GTD Pro and 20 GTD cars. The race is the third of five rounds in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup and marks the halfway point of the 11-round 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Returning endurance-specific teams include Manthey and AF Corse USA, both with adjusted lineups. The Six Hours of The Glen is a traditional summer showcase for the series on one of North America's most celebrated road courses.
Multiple Driver Changes Shake Up Watkins Glen Field as Spa Scheduling Clash Bites
A scheduling overlap with the 24 Hours of Spa has triggered driver changes for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen. Laurin Heinrich, the GTP championship runner-up, will now contest Watkins Glen in the No. 5 JDC-Miller Motorsports Porsche 963 alongside Tijmen van der Helm and Kaylen Frederick, reversing an earlier plan to miss the race. At Manthey, Loek Hartog and Michael Christensen join Klaus Bachler in the No. 911 GTD Pro Porsche; Hartog makes his IMSA WeatherTech debut. Richard Lietz replaces Morris Schuring in the No. 912. At Meyer Shank Racing, Kaku Ohta returns alongside Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06.
CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa Fields Exceptional 70-Car GT3 Grid with Ten Manufacturers
The 2026 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, set for June 24–28 at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, has attracted a 70-car GT3 entry representing ten manufacturers. The field of more than 250 drivers spans 43 nationalities and five continents, with 15 former winners in the entry. Notable names include two-time winner Jules Gounon driving for Verstappen Racing, Valentino Rossi, Arthur Leclerc, Raffaele Marciello, and the four winners of the Nürburgring 24 Hours — Maxime Martin, Luca Stolz, Maro Engel and Fabian Schiller. The event is also a round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Manufacturers Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche are all represented.
WEC Hypercar — Drivers
1. Kobayashi / Conway / de Vries — 75 pts
2. Rast / Frijns — 71 pts
3. van der Linde — 61 pts
4. Hartley / Hirakawa / Buemi — 56 pts
5. Pier Guidi / Giovinazzi / Calado — 39 pts
6. da Costa / Milesi / Habsburg — 28 pts
7. Deletraz / Nato / Stevens — 26 pts
8. Magnussen / Marciello — 25 pts
9. Fuoco / Molina / Nielsen — 23 pts
10. Tincknell / Gamble — 22 pts
11. Hanson / Kubica / Ye — 21 pts
12. Vanthoor — 19 pts
1. Toyota — 132 pts
2. BMW — 96 pts
3. Ferrari — 62 pts
4. Alpine — 38 pts
5. Cadillac — 32 pts
6. Aston Martin — 26 pts
7. Péugeot — 15 pts
8. Genesis — 6 pts
IMSA GTP — Drivers
1. Aitken — 1,760 pts
2. Heinrich — 1,616 pts
3. Nasr / Andlauer — 1,606 pts
4. Yelloly / van der Zande — 1,552 pts
5. Estre / Vanthoor (L.) — 1,501 pts
6. Bamber — 1,412 pts
7. Braun / Blomqvist — 1,391 pts
8. D. Vanthoor / S. van der Linde — 1,385 pts
9. Wittmann / Eng — 1,383 pts
10. van der Helm — 1,379 pts
1. Cadillac — 1,797 pts
2. Porsche — 1,772 pts
3. Acura — 1,676 pts
4. BMW — 1,628 pts
5. Aston Martin — 1 pts
PLAYOFFS
Hurricanes Victory Parade Set for Saturday in Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh will host the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 20, beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown. The route starts at Hillsborough and St. Mary's Street and ends at Davie Street, followed by a rally at City Plaza. Mayor Janet Cowell has proclaimed June 20 as Carolina Hurricanes Day in honour of the franchise's second Stanley Cup title, won four days earlier with a 3-0 shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 at T-Mobile Arena. Free parking is available at five city-owned decks. Fans without access to City Plaza can watch on screens along Fayetteville Street.
Sabres Move Up Seven Spots, Ship Kesselring to Sharks for 20th Overall Pick
The Buffalo Sabres moved up seven spots in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Tuesday, trading defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 20th overall selection, originally acquired by San Jose from Edmonton. Kesselring, 26, recorded two assists in 34 games for Buffalo this season and was frequently a healthy scratch. The Sabres, hosting the draft at KeyBank Center on June 26-27, now hold picks 20th, 124th, 156th, and 188th. The deal allows Buffalo to target a higher-profile prospect in a draft class headlined by wing Gavin McKenna and defender Chase Reid.
Maple Leafs Deal Goalie Woll and Benoit to Flyers in Pre-Draft Four-Player Swap
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday in exchange for goalie Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick. The deal is the first notable move for new Leafs general manager John Chayka. Woll, who went 15-16-7 with a .899 save percentage this past season, will pair in Philadelphia with Dan Vladar, whom the Flyers are nearing a long-term extension with. Ersson, 26, posted an .870 save percentage in 30 games with the Flyers in 2025-26. Andrae, 24, contributed two goals and 13 points in 61 games.
Ross Colton Heads to Nashville as Predators' New GM MacFarland Makes First Move
The Nashville Predators acquired forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche on Monday for goaltender Magnus Chrona and third-round picks in 2026 and 2027. The move is the first by new Predators general manager Chris MacFarland, who previously served four seasons as Colorado's GM before joining Nashville on June 2. Colton, 29, posted 24 points in 73 regular-season games with the Avalanche in 2025-26. MacFarland called Colton a versatile, two-way winger who adds sandpaper and grit to Nashville's middle-six forward group as the Predators begin rebuilding under new leadership ahead of July 1 free agency.
NHL Buyout Window Opens Wednesday; Teams Have Until June 30 to Cut Contracts
The NHL's first buyout window of the 2026 offseason opened Wednesday, June 17, and runs through June 30 at 5 p.m. ET. Teams may buy out players on their reserve list as of the 2026 trade deadline carrying a cap hit of at least four million dollars. For players 26 and older, buyouts are two-thirds of remaining salary, spread across twice the remaining contract length. The window opened 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final concluded June 14 with Carolina's victory. With free agency starting July 1 and the draft set for June 26-27 in Buffalo, teams face critical roster decisions over the next two weeks.
McKenna or Stenberg? Experts Split on No. 1 Pick with Draft Eight Days Away
With the 2026 NHL Draft eight days away in Buffalo, scouts and analysts remain divided over whether the Toronto Maple Leafs should select Penn State winger Gavin McKenna or Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg with the first overall pick. NHL.com's scouting panel sees McKenna as the frontrunner owing to his 84-point, 67-game OHL season with Brantford, while others favour Stenberg for a more complete two-way game. San Jose holds the second pick, with most projections targeting OHL defenseman Chase Reid. Centre Caleb Malhotra of Brantford is projected to go third, to Vancouver. The first round takes place Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Hurricanes Offseason: Andersen Decision Headlines Cup Champions' Roster Questions
Fresh off their second Stanley Cup title, the Carolina Hurricanes enter the 2026 offseason with two key roster decisions headlining their summer. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is an unrestricted free agent after posting a .931 save percentage, 1.41 goals against average, and three shutouts through the first three playoff rounds. The 36-year-old's future with Carolina is uncertain given the team's commitment to 2025-26 All-Rookie Team selection Brandon Bussi, who is under contract through 2028-29. Restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin is also due a new deal. Carolina holds an estimated eleven million dollars in projected cap space entering the offseason.
RECAP
Freeman Homer Lifts Dodgers Past Rays To Complete Sweep
Freddie Freeman hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Freeman’s 407-foot drive to center off reliever Kevin Kelly came after Shohei Ohtani surrendered five hits and four runs in the fifth inning. The Dodgers had led 2-0 on two-out RBI singles by Alex Call and Alex Freeland in the fourth before Tampa Bay answered. According to ESPN, it was just the second time the Dodgers have ever swept the Rays and their first sweep of Tampa Bay since August 2013. Los Angeles improved to 48-27.
Bellinger, Goldschmidt Power Yankees Past White Sox
Cody Bellinger hit an early homer and finished a triple shy of the cycle, Paul Goldschmidt homered for the third time in four games and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 10-5 on Wednesday night. The Yankees won their fourth straight and for the ninth time in 13 games since losing slugger Aaron Judge indefinitely to a fractured right rib. New York equaled its largest lead atop the AL East by moving 3 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay. Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off Anthony Kay, doubled in the third and started a five-run fifth with a single, finishing with three hits.
Stowers Homers Twice As Marlins Rout Phillies To Avoid Sweep
Kyle Stowers homered twice and drove in five runs as the Miami Marlins avoided a series sweep with a 12-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Stowers hit a two-run homer in the first off Phillies starter Andrew Painter, then a solo shot in the sixth for his seventh of the season, adding an RBI double in the second and a run-scoring single in the eighth. Owen Cassie homered in a four-run second inning, Joe Mack added a two-run homer and Jakob Marsee went deep in the ninth. Sandy Alcantara pitched six innings, allowing four runs, two earned, to improve to 7-4.
McLean, Bichette Lead Mets To 9-1 Win Over Reds
Rookie Nolan McLean struck out nine over seven innings and Bo Bichette continued his hot streak with three hits as the New York Mets averted a sweep with a 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Francisco Alvarez and Juan Soto also had three hits apiece as New York piled up 15 hits, tied for its second-highest output of the season. Bichette has multiple hits in six straight games and went 8 for 14 in the series. McLean, now 4-4, allowed one unearned run and three hits. JJ Bleday drove in Cincinnati’s only run on a third-inning sacrifice fly.
Tatis, Merrill Drive In Two Each As Padres Top Cardinals
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill each drove in two runs and finished with three hits as the San Diego Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 on Wednesday to avoid a sweep. Merrill capped his effort with a two-run homer in the ninth inning, his eighth of the season. Tatis, who also stole a base, has gone 17 for 48 with four doubles and a home run over his last 11 games. San Diego pounded out 14 hits but went 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. Alec Burleson extended his hitting streak to 17 games with an RBI single.
Pena Homers, Lambert Dominates As Astros Edge Tigers
Jeremy Pena homered and added an RBI single, and Peter Lambert allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings as the Houston Astros beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez extended his on-base streak to 24 games and doubled home Christian Vazquez for his 55th RBI of the season. Lambert, now 6-4, retired nine of his first 10 batters and set down 11 straight before Kerry Carpenter’s solo homer in the seventh, finishing with five strikeouts and no walks. Pena homered in the third inning off Detroit starter Casey Mize, who fell to 2-4.
Royals Hit Four Early Homers To Beat Nationals
Luinder Avila carried a shutout into the sixth inning and the Kansas City Royals hit four solo homers in the first three innings to beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Wednesday and avoid a three-game sweep. Carter Jensen led off the game with a home run, and John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey also went deep. Avila, now 2-3, allowed a run and three hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Rave tripled to lead off the sixth and scored on Isaac Collins’ squeeze bunt, with Bobby Witt Jr. adding an RBI single later in the inning to pad the Kansas City lead.
Yelich, Chourio Homer As Brewers Beat Guardians
Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio homered and the Milwaukee Brewers scored seven runs in the first four innings in a 9-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night. Chourio’s two-run shot in the fourth gave him six homers in his last seven games. Cleveland wasted a grand slam from Daniel Schneemann as Gavin Williams allowed a career-high seven earned runs in five innings, falling to 9-4. Chad Patrick struck out seven and allowed one hit over 3 1/3 innings of relief. Cooper Pratt, one night after his major league debut, singled for his first hit and later drove in his first run in the eighth.
Cubs Erupt For Seven-Run Inning To Beat Rockies
Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong homered as the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 8-6 on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field to take the series. The Cubs batted around in a seven-run second inning against Rockies starter Sean Sullivan, tying a season high for runs in a frame. Alex Bregman drew a leadoff walk, Ian Happ singled and Matt Shaw drove a 102.4-mph triple into the right-center gap to score both runners. Seiya Suzuki added a run-scoring double. Crow-Armstrong’s 15th home run came in the fourth. Chicago, now 39-36, clinched back-to-back series wins for the first time since May 6.
Braves Transfer Strider To 60-Day IL, Add Carrasco And Camargo
The Atlanta Braves transferred right-hander Spencer Strider to the 60-day injured list and designated right-hander Hunter Stratton for assignment, opening two 40-man roster spots to select right-hander Carlos Carrasco and catcher Jair Camargo. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Strider had landed on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation, and the club said he would be shut down for four weeks before a follow-up MRI; the 60-day transfer rules him out until at least mid-August. Carrasco, 39, cannot be optioned to the minors and has repeatedly been added for fresh relief. Camargo, 26, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta and has played five career big league games.
American League
1. Yankees — 45–27, —
2. Rays — 41–30, 3.5
3. Blue Jays — 36–38, 10
4. Orioles — 35–40, 11.5
5. Red Sox — 29–42, 15.5
1. White Sox — 38–34, —
2. Guardians — 39–35, —
3. Twins — 35–40, 4.5
4. Tigers — 30–44, 9
5. Royals — 30–45, 9.5
1. Mariners — 38–37, —
2. Athletics — 36–38, 1.5
3. Rangers — 35–38, 2
4. Astros — 35–41, 3.5
5. Angels — 30–45, 8
National League
1. Braves — 46–27, —
2. Phillies — 40–34, 6.5
3. Nationals — 39–36, 8
4. Marlins — 37–38, 10
5. Mets — 33–41, 13.5
1. Brewers — 45–26, —
2. Cardinals — 40–32, 5.5
3. Cubs — 39–36, 8
4. Pirates — 38–37, 9
5. Reds — 35–38, 11
1. Dodgers — 48–27, —
2. Padres — 38–35, 9
3. Diamondbacks — 38–36, 9.5
4. Giants — 31–43, 16.5
5. Rockies — 28–47, 20
REGULATION
Macron Warns G7 Leaders Against U.S. AI ‘Kill Switch’ as Trump Blocks Anthropic Exports
At the G7 Summit on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned world leaders and top AI executives that America’s ability to cut off access to U.S.-built AI models poses a growing geopolitical risk. Macron cautioned that if the United States could “from one day to the next turn off the switch,” it would harm not only European economies but the AI companies themselves. The remarks came days after the Trump administration blocked Anthropic from exporting its newest Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models on national security grounds. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman both attended the summit.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Says iPhone and Mac Price Increases Are ‘Unavoidable’ Due to AI Memory Chip Shortage
Apple CEO Tim Cook warned Wednesday that next-generation Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices will cost more because AI demand has driven memory and storage chip prices up fourfold over the past year. Cook told The Wall Street Journal the increases are “unavoidable” despite Apple’s efforts to absorb higher component costs. The root cause is a worldwide shortage of memory chips driven by AI systems’ enormous demand for high-bandwidth memory, which is squeezing supply for consumer electronics manufacturers broadly. The warning comes as AI is described as hurting Apple on multiple fronts — both raising component costs and intensifying competitive pressure to develop stronger AI features.
Genesis AI Unveils Eno, a General-Purpose Humanoid Robot Powered by the GENE Foundation Model
Genesis AI, a global full-stack robotics company, has launched Eno, its first general-purpose robot. The company describes Eno as a next-generation robot that breaks free from traditional form factors through a minimalist design. Powering Eno is GENE, Genesis AI’s foundation model, which the company calls the industry’s most advanced robotic brain — capable of reasoning, adapting, and owning outcomes beyond pre-defined tasks. Genesis plans to begin Eno production and targeted customer deployments by the end of 2026, initially serving manufacturing, logistics, and laboratory customers before expanding to service industry clients such as hotels and hospitals.
Sina Weibo’s VibeThinker-3B Matches DeepSeek V3.2 on AIME 2026 Despite Being 200 Times Smaller
A team of nine researchers at Sina Weibo posted a 14-page technical report to arXiv claiming their VibeThinker-3B language model — with just 3 billion parameters — can match or exceed the reasoning performance of flagship AI systems hundreds of times larger. On AIME 2026, the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, VibeThinker-3B scored 94.3, placing it alongside DeepSeek V3.2 (671 billion parameters) and ahead of Google’s Gemini 3 Pro, which scored 91.7. The model also scored 91.4 on AIME 2025 and 89.3 on the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament benchmark. Weights are freely downloadable from Hugging Face under the MIT License.
Pew Research: Only 16% of Americans Believe AI Will Have a Positive Impact on Society Over the Next 20 Years
A new Pew Research study finds that only 16 percent of Americans believe artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on society over the next 20 years, while around 40 percent say it will have a negative impact. The survey, published Wednesday, captures a stark gap between the optimism of the AI industry and public sentiment. The findings come amid rapid deployment of AI systems across employment, healthcare, and education sectors. Pew’s data suggests that despite billions of dollars in AI investment and high-profile product launches, a significant majority of Americans remain skeptical or concerned about the technology’s long-term trajectory for society.
Google Launches $99.99 Gemini-Powered Home Speaker to Revive the Smart Speaker Category
Google introduced its first audio device built specifically for Gemini — the $99.99 Google Home Speaker — betting that generative AI can breathe new life into the stalled smart speaker market. The device replaces the rigid command-based interactions of the Google Assistant era with more conversational Gemini responses, enabling users to ask open-ended questions and carry multi-turn dialogues. Google announced the new speaker on Wednesday alongside Gemini-powered features across other products. The launch represents Google’s clearest effort yet to make Gemini the central intelligence layer for its consumer hardware ecosystem, competing directly with Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri-powered HomePod.
Pinterest Launches Ask Pinterest, an Experimental AI Shopping App for Conversational Product Discovery
Pinterest has launched Ask Pinterest, an experimental AI-powered shopping app designed to handle complex or multi-step queries that would not fit a traditional Pinterest search. The app allows users to seek recommendations and inspiration through a conversational interface, with examples including planning a dinner party or furnishing a room over time. Pinterest describes Ask Pinterest as a vehicle for exploring a more conversational approach to product discovery — one that could eventually find its way into the main Pinterest app. The launch places Pinterest among a growing set of consumer platforms integrating AI-driven conversational commerce features.
POLICY
Conflicting State AI and Privacy Laws Create a Compliance Crisis for Healthcare Developers
A patchwork of conflicting state AI and privacy laws is creating compliance challenges for healthcare technology developers while exposing patients to unforeseen risks, according to Leigh Burchell, senior vice president at Altera Digital Health and chair of the HIMSS EHR Association. Divergent state requirements force vendors to maintain multiple compliance frameworks. The Texas attorney general has sued Epic over patient data allegations, reflecting the fragmented legal landscape developers must navigate. Industry advocates are pressing for a unified federal framework, noting a 2025 White House executive order pushed back on excessive state regulation but left the conflicts unresolved. Patients are loading their medical records into AI chatbots without understanding privacy implications.
AdventHealth Launches the Largest Smart Room Rollout in Hospital History Across 57 Facilities
AdventHealth is deploying smart room technology across 13,000 acute care rooms in 57 hospitals across nine states — the largest such rollout on record — with full deployment expected by year-end 2026, when the project is approximately 60 percent complete. Each room integrates computer vision cameras, digital whiteboards, and digital door signs tied to each patient’s EMR. Valerie McKinnis, MD, vice president of Clinical Innovation, described the initiative’s goal as reversing the failure mode of modern hospital care: clinicians facing screens rather than patients. The rooms were co-designed with nurses, physicians, and patient and family advisory groups, and all 57 hospitals share a single Epic instance.
Imaging Roundup: Medusa Ransomware Hits SimonMed as Three New Radiology AI and Security Platforms Launch
The Medusa ransomware group attacked SimonMed Imaging, exfiltrating 200 gigabytes of data and compromising records for 1.2 million patients. The breach was one of four imaging-sector developments reported June 17 by Healthcare IT News. On the technology side, Varist, an Icelandic cybersecurity firm, commercially launched its Hybrid Detection Engine, a DICOM and PACS security platform capable of scanning 500 billion files per day and detecting zero-day threats. Mosaic Clinical Technologies debuted MosaicOS and Mosaic Reporting, an ambient AI radiology platform. DeepHealth, a RadNet company, launched its Reporting Pro AI platform commercially. The launches arrive as the industry faces a projected radiologist shortage of approximately 15 percent by 2029.
Houston Methodist Moves Ambient AI from Pilot to Enterprise, Reporting 40% Documentation Time Reduction
Houston Methodist has moved ambient AI out of pilot phase and into enterprise-wide clinical documentation, deploying the Ambience Healthcare platform across its encounter workflow. The system has achieved over 85 percent utilization across encounters, reduced documentation time by 40 percent, cut after-hours documentation time by 33 percent, and decreased time-to-close encounters by 13 percent. Clinicians are also booking an average of 1.3 additional voluntary visits per day. Healthcare IT News described the initiative as Houston Methodist’s deliberate move from a small pilot to a full enterprise tool — not merely a proof of concept but an operational system scaled across the entire organization.
IRhythm Investigates Cybersecurity Incident at Maker of the Zio Cardiac Monitoring Patch
IRhythm Holdings, maker of the Zio cardiac monitoring patch, disclosed a cybersecurity incident it identified and activated incident response plans for on June 15. The company is working with outside cybersecurity experts to investigate. IRhythm said there has been no impact to its products, clinical or medical device systems, customer connections, manufacturing and distribution operations, or patient safety. The company also noted that it does not store financial account or payment card data. IRhythm said it will notify affected individuals as required by applicable law, though the scope of the incident and the categories of affected data have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Mercy Health’s Ex-Google CPO Drives Dual-Platform Strategy That Cuts Nurse Overtime 29%
Mercy Health has deployed a dual-focus technology strategy aimed at improving digital tools for both patients and providers, led by Chief Product Officer Lina Scroggins, who brings 17 years of experience from Google. A Microsoft ambient AI deployment for nurses in inpatient units has produced measurable results: a 21 percent reduction in documentation latency, a 65 percent improvement in perceived timeliness, a 29 percent reduction in incremental overtime, and a 4.5 percent increase in patient satisfaction scores. Mercy’s approach prioritizes tools that improve experience for both clinicians and patients simultaneously, rather than optimizing for one at the expense of the other.
AdventHealth GRACE Program Brings AI-Powered Precision Cancer Screening to Primary Care
AdventHealth has launched the GRACE program to bring precision cancer screening to the front lines of primary care, integrating genomic data, imaging analysis, and clinical workflows into a unified tool. The program uses the Volpara Scorecard to automate AI-based breast density analysis and relies on a Risk Pathways platform to organize and deliver results directly into Epic. By embedding risk assessment into primary care workflows, GRACE is designed to allow clinicians to identify high-risk patients and connect them to appropriate care pathways sooner, without waiting for a specialist referral. AdventHealth measures success not by utilization metrics but by whether patients who need care actually receive it earlier.
ROBOTICS
Brandon Lai Designs Custom Cycloidal Actuators for DIY Humanoid Robot
Brandon Lai is building a humanoid robot from scratch and, rather than rely on off-the-shelf components, designed his own actuators from the ground up. Inspired by an MIT research paper, Lai modified the original design by swapping the planetary gearbox for a cycloidal variant, targeting 40 to 60 rpm with a sustained 20 Newton-meters of torque running continuously for up to one hour. He fabricated and tested the prototype, documenting both successes and failures in detail on Hackaday. The project is notable for tackling one of the hardest mechanical challenges in robot construction — producing compact, high-torque, low-speed drives without sourcing expensive proprietary parts.
Steampunk Tachyscope Uses Century-Old Vacuum Tubes for 360° Laser Oscilloscope Display
Daniel Ross entered the Hackaday 2026 Frikkin Lasers Contest with a 360-degree oscilloscope display called the Tachyscope. The build uses a helium-neon laser tube — a rarity in an era dominated by solid-state diodes — shining up a hollow shaft onto a galvanometer mirror mounted on a platform spinning at roughly 100 RPM. Line-level audio feeds a power amplifier built from four UV-201 vacuum tubes dating back over a century. The galvanometer sweeps the beam across a translucent cylindrical target, generating waveform images by persistence of vision as the platform rotates. A multi-pole slip ring carries signals between the stationary electronics and the spinning display assembly.
SCINTIX P4 Brings ESP32-P4 Compute Module Compatibility to Raspberry Pi CM4 and CM5 Boards
The SCINTIX P4 is a new crowdfunding campaign offering a compute module based on Espressif’s ESP32-P4 chip that slots into Raspberry Pi CM4 and CM5 carrier boards. The module pairs the ESP32-P4’s dual-core Xtensa LX9 processor and RISC-V coprocessor with Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and enhanced HMI capabilities, targeting developers who want AI-assisted display and camera processing on existing CM4-compatible hardware. The design maintains compatibility with most CM4 and CM5 carrier boards, though the campaign notes a caveat for certain configurations. SCINTIX P4 is aimed at makers seeking an affordable path to ESP32-P4 functionality without migrating their current hardware platform.
Zhihe A210 Octa-Core RISC-V SoC with 12 TOPS NPU Powers Compact SoM Dev Board
Zhihe’s A210 is an octa-core RISC-V system-on-chip integrating a 12 TOPS neural processing unit, now powering a compact system-on-module development board aimed at edge AI applications. The SoC combines eight RISC-V cores with a high-performance NPU configuration uncommon in maker-accessible RISC-V hardware, making the A210 notable for embedded vision, voice recognition, and inference workloads. The development board exposes standard peripheral interfaces for rapid prototyping. RISC-V continues gaining traction in embedded development as an open architecture alternative to Arm, and the A210’s 12 TOPS NPU marks a significant step in performance for boards targeting makers and independent hardware developers.
Markforged Adds Four New Colors to Its Onyx GF Industrial 3D Printing Material Line
Markforged has expanded its Onyx GF material lineup with four new color options for the chopped glass fiber-filled nylon used exclusively in its FX-series industrial 3D printers. The addition gives the material, known for stiffness and dimensional stability, greater visual flexibility for customer-facing parts and prototypes that would otherwise require painting. Onyx GF delivers improved surface quality over standard Onyx, with the glass fiber fill providing enhanced rigidity compared to unfilled nylon. The new colors follow growing demand from product designers using industrial-grade filament printers for end-use components. Exact color names and updated material pricing were not disclosed in the announcement covered by All3DP.
Rockchip RK3539 Quad-Core Cortex-A55 SoC Debuts in Low-Cost Android 14 4K TV Stick with AV1 Support
A new low-cost Android 14 TV stick has appeared featuring the Rockchip RK3539, a quad-core Cortex-A55 system-on-chip marking the chip’s debut in a consumer device. The stick delivers 4K output with hardware AV1 codec decode support, placing it competitively in the budget streaming hardware market. For makers and single-board computer enthusiasts, the RK3539 platform is notable given Rockchip’s consistent track record of releasing hackable development boards alongside consumer product launches. AV1 hardware decode is a meaningful addition as the codec becomes standard across streaming services. Full connectivity specifications including USB, HDMI, and wireless interfaces were published by CNX Software following the device’s announcement.
Amlogic A311Y3 Targets Edge AI with Cortex-A78 Cores, 8 TOPS NPU, and LPDDR5 Memory
Amlogic has announced the A311Y3, an octa-core system-on-chip combining Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 CPU clusters with an 8 TOPS neural processing unit and LPDDR5 memory support. The chip targets edge AI compute for smart cameras, robotics, and intelligent IoT devices, following the market traction of Amlogic’s widely used A311D chip found in boards such as the Khadas VIM3. LPDDR5 support provides a substantial memory bandwidth improvement for NPU inference tasks compared to LPDDR4-equipped predecessors. CNX Software published specifications covering codec support, peripheral interfaces, and display output capabilities. The A311Y3 positions Amlogic competitively in the 8 TOPS edge performance tier alongside competing silicon from Rockchip and NXP.
LAYOFFS
Clarecast Report Finds Over 1,300 Companies Showing Hidden AI-Driven Workforce Contraction Signals
Predictive workforce intelligence firm Clarecast released its inaugural report on June 17, identifying what it calls Quiet Restructuring: an AI-driven workforce contraction playing out at scale but largely below the radar of official labor statistics. Clarecast defines the pattern through four signals: a tech stack of 20 or more active tools, flat or shrinking headcount over 12 months, a forecasted headcount reduction of at least five percent, and a VP-level or higher departure in the past 60 days. The firm found over 1,300 companies show all four signals, and 59 percent of those have recorded a confirmed VP-level departure within 60 days, a pattern Clarecast says precedes formal restructuring announcements.
Tech Layoff Headlines Are Masking a Surge in AI-Driven Hiring Demand, iCIMS June Data Reveals
Despite high-profile tech layoffs, iCIMS June data shows demand for technology roles is accelerating as companies outside Big Tech ramp up AI investments. U.S. tech job openings grew nine percent year-over-year in May while application volume fell 11 percent, widening a mismatch between employer demand and candidates. The fastest-growing roles are computer programmers, up 35 percent year-over-year; software developers, up 28 percent; and database administrators, up 27 percent. Healthcare and manufacturing are leading demand, with tech hiring up eight and four percent respectively since May 2025. iCIMS head of talent insights Trent Cotton said tech talent is redistributing from a handful of large providers into the broader economy.
Three New State Pay Transparency Laws Set Compliance Deadlines for Tech Employers
Three state-level wage transparency developments are raising compliance demands for tech employers, law firm Foley and Lardner warned in a June advisory. Maine’s law takes effect July 29, 2026, requiring employers with 10 or more workers to include salary ranges on all job postings. Delaware enacted legislation requiring employers with over 25 workers to disclose compensation ranges and benefits in all postings, effective September 2027. New Jersey’s Pay Transparency Act is already in effect, with the Department of Labor publishing proposed implementing regulations. Together these bring the total to 16 states plus Washington D.C. with wage transparency requirements, intensifying compliance demands for tech employers that post roles nationally.
Experis Q3 2026 Tech Talent Outlook: 50% of Employers Plan Staff Additions as AI Skills Remain Scarce
Global technology hiring is moderating after a strong second quarter but employer demand remains solid for Q3, according to Experis’s June 16 Tech Talent Outlook. Surveying 4,497 Tech and IT Services employers across 42 countries, Experis found a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 35 percent for July through September. Half of employers plan to add staff in Q3, while 15 percent anticipate a decrease. Despite the positive headline, 71 percent of technology leaders say skills shortages caused project delays in the past year, and 49 percent report project cancellations. AI model and application development top the list of hardest-to-fill skills globally, followed by AI literacy.
Dice June 2026 Report: AI Skills Now Required in 73% of Tech Job Postings as Staffing Sector Surges
AI fluency has become a baseline hiring credential as AI skill requirements appeared in 73 percent of U.S. tech job postings in May, up from 71 percent in April and 192 percent higher than a year ago, Dice’s June 2026 Tech Jobs Report found. Overall tech postings grew 23 percent year-over-year, the strongest comparison of 2026. The staffing sector posted the largest monthly industry gain, with tech postings up more than 100 percent in May, the first meaningful staffing upturn after years of contraction. Python Engineers and Operations Engineers showed posting growth above 150 percent month-over-month, tracking employer demand for agentic AI builders capable of completing multi-step tasks autonomously.
POLICY
OMB Proposes Major Overhaul of Federal Grant Rules Governing Nonprofits
The Office of Management and Budget proposed sweeping changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal grants to nonprofits, drawing more than 14,800 public comments since the proposal dropped May 29. The revision would grant the administration unprecedented discretion to withhold, suspend, or terminate grants, raising alarm across the sector. The National Council of Nonprofits is urging organizations to submit comments before the July 13 deadline. Museums and other cultural institutions face particular exposure, according to the American Alliance of Museums, which warned member organizations of the risks. Sector advocates say the changes would upend decades of stable grant administration practices.
One Big Beautiful Bill Reshapes Charitable Giving Incentives for Donors at Every Level
Congress’s sweeping tax and spending legislation, with key provisions taking effect June 11, fundamentally reshapes the tax incentives driving charitable giving. For the first time, non-itemizers may deduct up to $1,000 (or $2,000 for joint filers) in charitable contributions—but itemizers face a new 0.5% AGI floor, and the deduction is capped at 35% for top earners. Executives earning over $1 million now trigger a 21% excise tax. The Council of Nonprofits projects the package will reduce sector resources by $81 billion over ten years, while Medicaid and food assistance cuts simultaneously drive up demand for nonprofit services.
Donor-Advised Funds Deliver 75% Revenue Growth as DAF Share of Philanthropy Climbs
Donor-advised funds are reshaping nonprofit revenue at a remarkable pace, according to a new report from K2D Strategies and Chariot covering 54 nonprofits and $3.3 billion in DAF revenue. Organizations receiving DAF gifts saw 75% median revenue growth between 2022 and 2025, compared to just 12% growth from non-DAF sources. The median DAF gift is now 12 times larger than a non-DAF donation. DAFs have grown from 7% to 11% of total nonprofit revenue during that period. More than 50,000 donors shifted to DAF giving between 2021 and 2025, the report found, signaling a structural transformation in how major philanthropic dollars flow to the sector.
PSLF Rule That Could Strip Nonprofit Workers of Loan Forgiveness Takes Effect July 1
A new Department of Education rule takes effect July 1 that allows the federal government to strip Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility from employees of nonprofits deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose.” The rule, finalized last October, would cover organizations whose work involves DEI programs, immigration legal services, gender-affirming care, or protest-related activities. Employees at affected organizations would lose the ability to count future loan payments toward the program’s 120-payment requirement. A coalition led by the National Council of Nonprofits and state attorneys general has challenged the rule in court, but legal proceedings have not blocked its scheduled implementation.
CharityWatch Releases Guide to Top-Rated Civil Rights Charities Ahead of Juneteenth
With Juneteenth arriving Friday, CharityWatch has released its guide to top-rated civil rights and racial justice charities for donors seeking to mark the holiday with impact. The watchdog group recommends organizations including the ACLU Foundation, Center for Constitutional Rights, National Urban League (National Office), Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fortune Society, and Institute for Justice—all earning high marks for financial efficiency and transparency. CharityWatch updated its guide on June 16 to reflect the latest ratings across its Black American and Civil Rights & Social Justice categories. The timing offers donors a vetted list as Juneteenth grows into one of the year’s most significant giving occasions.
Federal Funding Crisis Deepens as Nonprofit Sector Absorbs $425 Billion in Cuts
The nonprofit sector is absorbing a multi-front financial crisis, with more than $425 billion in federal funds canceled or frozen since January 2025, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. A recent NCN survey found 66% of nonprofits now have concerns about financial stability, 34% report reduced federal funding, and 29% report cuts from state and local government. Payment delays compound the strain, creating growing wait lists for essential services including food assistance, housing support, and crisis intervention. NCN leaders say service disruptions are spreading across the country and warn the situation will worsen if Congress passes further cuts to Medicaid and nutrition programs.
Independent Sector Launches Nonpartisan Voter Engagement Series Ahead of 2026 Midterms
Independent Sector is launching “Voices in Action,” a monthly nonpartisan email series providing nonprofits with practical guidance for civic engagement ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. The initiative draws on recent IS research showing that significantly fewer nonprofits report engaging in advocacy or lobbying compared to 20 years ago—even as polls show strong bipartisan public support for the sector’s civic role. An IS poll conducted in April 2026 found broad support across party lines for nonprofits helping communities participate in elections. IS emphasized the series will not endorse candidates, positioning it as a tool to help nonprofits exercise their full legal right to voter education.
BOX OFFICE
Toy Story 5 Eyes Franchise-Record $275M Global Opening Weekend
Disney -Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is tracking for a franchise-record $275 million global debut when it opens in 4,425 North American theaters on June 19 , with domestic projections of $140 million—the biggest start of 2026. Presales have already hit $25 million, running slightly ahead of Super Mario Galaxy but behind Moana 2. The Juneteenth holiday is expected to lift Thursday night previews above normal. The film finds Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang navigating a tablet-obsessed Bonnie. Some international markets, including Japan (July 3) and Germany (July 23), open on staggered dates.
DOJ Clears Paramount–Warner Bros. Merger Over Staff Lawyers’ Objections
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division approved Paramount ’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery , but the clearance drew immediate backlash after reporting revealed senior DOJ officials overrode career staff lawyers who had been “leaning” toward recommending a lawsuit to block the deal. Senator Elizabeth Warren called the move “reeks of corruption” on Bluesky, citing a Wall Street Journal account that the antitrust staffers who investigated the merger “didn’t participate in writing” the department’s clearance statement. The deal, expected to close by September 2026 , still faces European Commission scrutiny under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, with a provisional July 14 vetting deadline.
DGA Secures Four-Year Deal With Streaming Residual Hikes and New AI Protections
The Directors Guild of America reached a four-year contract with the major studios and streamers, winning streaming residual increases, health plan improvements, and sweeping new artificial intelligence protections. All AI-generated footage must remain under a director’s creative control, with studios required to provide advance notice and transparency around any AI training use. The deal also limits actors and non-directors from helming TV episodes—a provision responding to the 40 percent downturn in TV production jobs over four years. The DGA’s 19,500 members must still ratify the agreement. The AI and residuals language closely mirrors terms won earlier by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
WIF and ReFrame Release Emmy FYC ‘Who to Watch’ Guide With Ballots Closing June 23
Women in Film and gender equity advocate ReFrame have jointly published a “Who to Watch” Emmy FYC guide spotlighting female, nonbinary, and trans creators in the least gender-diverse nomination categories. The guide highlights directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, and VFX supervisors—among them writer-producers Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky of “Hacks,” Quinta Brunson of “Abbott Elementary,” and director Jamie Babbit of “Only Murders in the Building.” The release is a targeted final push, arriving as Emmy nomination ballots close June 23 —the last week of the voting window for Television Academy members ahead of the official nominations announcement.
Prime Video Bets on ‘Entertainment Hub’ Model With 600-Plus APAC Partnerships
Amazon Prime Video is repositioning itself as an “entertainment hub” rather than a standalone streamer, executives revealed at the APOS (Asia-Pacific Online Streaming) conference in Bali. The platform now works with more than 600 content partners worldwide—including over 70 in Japan , 50 in Australia, and 30 in India—many of whom treat Prime Video as their primary distribution route. The hub model layers add-on subscriptions and transactional rentals atop the core Amazon Prime tier, offering customers the widest selection through a single app while giving smaller content partners Amazon’s global audience without requiring independent technology or payments infrastructure.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Tracking $55M-Plus Opening as DC Studios’ Second Feature
Warner Bros. and DC Studios have opened advance ticket sales for “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” arriving in theaters on June 26 with initial tracking showing a domestic opening above $55 million . Craig Gillespie directs Milly Alcock (“House of the Dragon”) as Kara Zor-El, with Jason Momoa as antihero Lobo. Unaided audience awareness already runs higher than pre-release figures for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” ($81.6M domestic opening) and “Thunderbolts*” ($74.3M). The official trailer has accumulated 27 million YouTube views over two months. The film is the second release from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios reboot.
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