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  • Copyright & Trademark Policy and Trends to Watch in 2026

    Copyright & Trademark Policy and Trends to Watch in 2026

    Press Coverage January 2, 2026

    Michael Hobbs, a partner with Troutman Pepper Locke, was quoted in the January 2, 2026 Law360 article, “Copyright & Trademark Policy and Trends to Watch in 2026.”

    “The Copyright Office doesn’t get involved in litigation [and] they don’t get involved in [making the] law, but they are an administrative arm that does have probably a little bit of sway in terms of whether you get a copyright registration or not,” Hobbs said.

    Congress hasn’t voted on the bill in previous sessions despite this support. But Michael Hobbs of Troutman Pepper Locke told Law360 that with next year being an election year, lawmakers might actually want to address deepfakes.

    “If third parties are creating this [material], and it becomes an issue in a political race, I think that is going to get a ton of attention from politicians,” Hobbs said.

    While much of the USPTO leadership’s scrutiny has been focused on the patent side of the agency and the impact on the trademark side seems to be comparably limited — the Trump administration hasn’t ended the collective bargaining rights of the union for trademark examining attorneys, for instance — Hobbs said he’s concerned that the upheaval will lead to attrition.

    “I think the concern as a practitioner is that you are going to lose a lot of really talented” staff, he said.

    Insight Industries + Practices

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  • Spring Schedule Set for the Buckeyes

    Spring Schedule Set for the Buckeyes

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – In 2026, the Ohio State women’s tennis team will host eight dual matches, along with serving as an ITA Kickoff Weekend site. Columbus will also be the home for the 2026 Big Ten Tournament.

     

    After the Michigan Invite, an…

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  • WHO Faces Unprecedented Financial Strains Amid Global Health Challenges

    WHO Faces Unprecedented Financial Strains Amid Global Health Challenges

    Fri 2nd Jan, 2026

    The World Health Organization (WHO) encountered a year marked by significant achievements and considerable setbacks in its mission to safeguard global health. Amid the ongoing evolution of international health priorities, the…

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  • Plaza Theatre Book Highlights Inaugural Palm Springs International Film Festival – Palm Springs Life

    1. Plaza Theatre Book Highlights Inaugural Palm Springs International Film Festival  Palm Springs Life
    2. Kate Hudson, Michael B. Jordan and More Stars Expected as Palm Springs Award Gala Lights Up Awards Season  Variety
    3. How the Palm Springs Film Fest…

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  • New Parents Mocked for Letting ChatGPT Name Their Baby

    New Parents Mocked for Letting ChatGPT Name Their Baby

    Naming your child isn’t a task to be taken lightly. It’s a crucial step in the child-rearing process that could fundamentally shape a child’s identity, influence first impressions, and reflect the parents’ heritage and values.

    That…

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  • Special guests join Val and Ryan to discuss relationship advice, regifting holiday presents, gift cards and more

    Special guests join Val and Ryan to discuss relationship advice, regifting holiday presents, gift cards and more

    ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

    Friday, January 2, 2026 6:41PM

    Windy City Weekend: Part 1

    CHICAGO (WLS) — It was an all Host Chat show on Friday for Windy City Weekend!

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    WGCI radio host Leon Rogers and comedian Correy Bell…

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  • HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Fulfilled Core Mission in Fiscal Year 2025

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released its fiscal year (FY) 2025 annual report covering the financial status of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund and its Single Family mortgage insurance programs. FHA supported a pathway to homeownership for more than 876,000 Americans in FY 2025 while maintaining solid financial performance of the MMI Fund and eliminating significant bureaucratic red tape in its Single Family programs.

    “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, HUD is improving housing affordability and helping hardworking Americans achieve the dream of homeownership — FHA plays a central role in advancing both of these priorities,” said Secretary Turner. “As this report demonstrates, we are prioritizing sound stewardship, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and ensuring the stability and strong financial footing of the MMI fund for the benefit of homeowners today and tomorrow.”

    “Under the leadership of HUD Secretary Turner, FHA’s Single Family program has reduced costs for lenders and borrowers, protected American taxpayers from risk, and served as a vital financing source for Americans pursuing the dream of homeownership,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD’s Office of Housing and FHA Frank Cassidy. “Our work to build a more efficient and effective FHA program underscores this administration’s commitment of increasing housing supply and improving housing affordability.”

    The MMI Fund supports FHA’s Single Family mortgage insurance programs, including all forward mortgage purchase and refinance transactions, as well as mortgages insured since 2009 under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage program. The FY25 report illustrates the MMI Fund had an overall Capital Ratio of 11.47 percent as of September 30, 2025, more than five times the Congressionally mandated 2.0 percent capital ratio. MMI Fund Capital stood at $188.9 billion as of September 30, 2025.

    Key Facts from FHA’s FY 2025 MMI Fund Annual Report

    • As of September 30, 2025, FHA had active insurance on 8.1 million single family forward mortgages with a total unpaid principal balance of more than 1.6 trillion, and more than 681,000 reverse mortgages with a maximum claim amount of over $64.3 billion.
    • The share of first-time homebuyers using FHA insurance reached more than 83 percent of total FHA forward mortgage purchase endorsements in FY 2025. First-time homebuyers consistently represent between 75 percent and 85 percent of FHA-insured forward purchase mortgages.
    • The overall Capital Ratio for FY 2025 was 11.47 percent. The overall Capital Ratio is one indicator of the MMI Fund’s financial health and includes both the FHA-insured Single Family forward and reverse mortgage portfolios. The overall Capital Ratio is more than five times higher than the Congressionally mandated minimum of 2.0 percent.
    • FHA’s forward mortgage portfolio achieved solid performance with a stand-alone capital ratio of 10.95 percent as of September 30, 2025, a 0.07 percentage point increase from FY 2024.
    • The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage portfolio achieved a 24.06 percent capital ratio as of September 30, 2025, a 0.44 percentage point decrease from FY 2024.
    • The MMI Fund now holds $188.9 billion in MMI Capital, a $16.1 billion increase from FY 2024. Over $100 billion of this total consists of cash or cash-equivalents.

    Independent Actuary

    IT Data Consulting (ITDC) served as the independent actuary for FHA in FY25. By serving as a critical check on the results, an independent actuarial review remains an integral part of the Annual Report process. ITDC’s independent actuarial review reports for forward mortgages and HECMs confirm that the estimates used in the FY 2025 Annual Report to calculate the capital ratio are reasonable. The reports are available on HUD.gov.

     

    Follow @HUDgov on X, FB, and Instagram.

    HUD.gov


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  • Blue and black bin recycling now managed by Circular Materials

    Responsibility for residential blue and black bin collection and processing was transferred to Circular Materials on January 1, 2026. Their contractor, Miller Waste will be collecting your blue and black bins starting today. This transition is due to regulations from the Government of Ontario.

    The City continues to manage garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste collection.

    Collection calendar

    The collection schedule for blue and black bins, garbage and leaf and yard waste is not changing.

    We are aware of a schedule discrepancy between the City’s collection calendar and the Circular Materials app affecting some parts of the city. The City’s collection calendar reflects the correct schedule. Circular Materials is working to correct the calendar in their app as soon as possible.

    You can view your City of Ottawa collection calendar, which includes green bin and garbage collection, and Circular Materials’ recycling collection information as well and sign up for reminders at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar.

    You can now recycle even more

    As part of this new recycling system, you can now recycle more, including:

    • Flexible plastic packaging such as plastic bags, chip bags and bubble wrap.
    • Foam packaging such as meat trays, takeout containers and cups.
    • Tubes such as toothpaste tubes, deodorant and hand cream tubes.

    For more information about the new recycling system including a full list of items that can be recycled visit the Circular Materials website.

    What to expect for curbside blue and black bin collection

    • Your blue and black bins will be collected on the same day, on alternate weeks as usual.
    • Put your bins out by 7 am on your collection day. Collection might be at a different time than you’re used to.
    • No new bins are required. Continue to use your existing standard sized blue and black bin.

    Who to contact about recycling

    Contact Miller Waste directly at 1-888-852-2374 or area2@millerwaste.ca for questions related to:

    • Recycling bins
    • Missed collections
    • What you can recycle

    For any other recycling related questions, contact Circular Materials at customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or 1-877-667-2626.

    Garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste

    The City continues to manage garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste collection. You can continue to contact the City for garbage and organic waste collection services, such as a missed collection.

    Stay up to date

    You can stay up to date on your waste collection by downloading the free Ottawa Collection Calendar app or signing up for email or phone reminders at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar, following us on social media or subscribing to the City news or Waste Plan newsletters.

    The City of Ottawa’s Waste Explorer will continue to list recycling materials. When in doubt, search ottawa.ca/WasteExplorer.

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  • Heubach, Gelesko and Korfhage Bring Maturity and Positivity to a Team Full of New Faces

    Heubach, Gelesko and Korfhage Bring Maturity and Positivity to a Team Full of New Faces

    With half of the athletes on Western Michigan University’s gymnastics team being newbies this season, it could have taken awhile for them to get into the routine of campus life on and off the practice area.

    Head coach Penny Jernigan didn’t have to…

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  • MTA Weekender: January 2-5, 2026

    MTA Weekender: January 2-5, 2026

    Happy Friday and Happy New Year! We’re proud of all we’ve accomplished in 2025, and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve you in 2026.

    The holiday season may mostly be over, but this weekend you have one last chance this year to ride one of Transit Museum’s holiday nostalgia rides, running between 2 Av on the   and 96 St on the  . It’s also not too late to visit the holiday train show at Grand Central, which is open until February.

    Here’s what else is happening this weekend (also viewable as a map):

    •   trains aren’t running between Chambers St and Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College.
    •   trains aren’t running at all.
    •   trains aren’t running between Inwood-207 St and 168 St.
    •   trains aren’t running between 168 St and 145 St.
    • Coney Island-bound   trains are running on the   from 36 St to Coney Island-Stillwell Av.
    •   trains aren’t running between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av.

    For more details, keep on scrolling. We’ve also got travel alternatives for stations that will be closed or skipped.

    And don’t forget to sign up for the MTA Weekender newsletter sent every Friday. You’ll get these service changes directly in your inbox, with more than enough time to plan your weekend travel.

    Sign up for the Weekender!

    Major subway service changes

        trains, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan

    From 11:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday: 

    •   trains are running between Eastchester-Dyre Av   and Chambers St and on the   to/from South Ferry.
    •   trains aren’t running at all.
    •   trains are running between Wakefield-241 St   and Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College, express in Manhattan and local in Brooklyn.

    This is because of structural maintenance.

    • For service between Wakefield-241 St and E 180 St, take the  .
    • For service between Eastchester-Dyre Av and E 180 St, take the  .
    • For service between Harlem-148 St and 135 St, take free shuttle buses, which are running between these stations stopping at 145 St.
    • For service between 135 St and Chambers St, take the  .
    • For service between Manhattan and Brooklyn, take the       trains.
    • For service to/from Park Place, Fulton St, Wall St, Clark St, Borough Hall, and Hoyt St, use nearby    or   stations.
    • For service between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and New Lots Av, take the  .
    • For service between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College, take the  .

       trains, Manhattan

    From 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:

    •   trains aren’t running between Inwood-207 St and 168 St in either direction. 
      •   trains are running between 168 St and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd or Far Rockaway-Mott Av. 
    •   trains aren’t running between 168 St and 145 St in either direction.
      •   trains are running between 145 St and Euclid Av. At 145 St,   trains are stopping at the lower level   platform.

    This is because of track replacement.

    • For service between Inwood-207 St and 168 St, use nearby   stops or take free shuttle buses, which are running along two routes:
      • Broadway shuttle buses are running between Inwood-207 St and 168 St.
      • Fort Washington Av shuttle buses are running between 190 St and 168 St.
    • For local service between 168 St and 145 St, take the  , which is running local between these stations.

      trains, Brooklyn

    Coney Island-bound   trains are running on the   from 36 St to Coney Island-Stillwell Av from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of track maintenance.

    • For service to/from bypassed stations, take a Manhattan-bound train.

      trains, Brooklyn

      trains aren’t running between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av in either direction from 9:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday because of signal modernization.

    • For service between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Hoyt-Schermerhorn, take free B93 shuttle buses, which are running between these stations and connecting to Jay St-MetroTech     .
    • For service between Bergen St and Church Av, take the  .

    Other subway service changes

       trains, Brooklyn

    Manhattan-bound    trains are running nonstop from Myrtle Av to Marcy Av from 3:45 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of structural maintenance.

    • For service to/from these stations, take a Jamaica Center-bound   or Middle Village-bound  .

      trains, the Bronx

    Manhattan-bound   trains are running nonstop from Burnside Av to 149 St-Grand Concourse from 3:45 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of track replacement.

    • For service to/from bypassed stations, take a Woodlawn-bound train.
    • During the day and evening,   trains are running every 8 minutes in Brooklyn and Manhattan and every 16 minutes in the Bronx. The last stop for alternate Bronx-bound trains is 125 St. Transfer to a Woodlawn-bound train to continue your trip.

      trains, Queens

    Flushing-bound   trains are running express from 74 St-Broadway to Mets-Willets Point from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Monday because of station work.

    • For service to/from bypassed stations, take a Manhattan-bound train.
    • At Junction Blvd, all trains are boarding from the Manhattan-bound platform.
    •   trains are running every 8 minutes during the day and evening.

    Get updates

    These service changes are subject to change, so check the MTA homepage before heading out; it’s where you’ll find up-to-the-minute information on subway, bus, and rail service.

    Our apps—MTA and TrainTime—also provide real-time service information. You can also contact us in real time for help planning your trip.

    See how to contact us.

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