A U.S. District Judge has issued a 14-day pause on the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance, following a lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta. The lawsuit alleges the merger would harm competition in film distribution and cable licensing, a claim Paramount disputes.
An 85-year-old AMC theater worker in Tennessee, Mary Ellen Eron, received over $146,000 from a viral GoFundMe campaign launched by a stranger who was inspired by her dedication to her job. The fundraiser, initiated by Brooklyn Green, garnered over 7,500 donations in 48 hours, aiming to help Eron enjoy a deserved retirement.
About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidationFor years now, we have heard that Amazon and the big chains are crushing small businesses, but independent bookstores are suddenly making a comeback.About 422 new indie bookshops opened in 2025, according to the American Booksellers Association, a 31% rise from 2024. Countless independent restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive even in this era of ever-bigger retailers, fast-casual restaurants and massive e-commerce platforms. Continue reading...
