Joe Concha says New Jersey governor’s race is now a ‘coin flip’

“She gives these like [former Vice President Kamala Harris] word salad answers, whether she supports boys playing against girls in the state or how much she plans on raising taxes,” he said.

Concha also noted that Sherrill struggles to explain to voters why she didn’t walk at her Naval Academy graduation and how she managed to make $7 million in stock trading. “She simply cannot explain how she made $7 million while trading defense stocks, all while sitting on the armed services committee in the House, and that’s something voters don’t like on either side of the aisle,” Concha said.

Looking at polling data from the last New Jersey gubernatorial race, Concha pointed out that Ciattarelli was down 8 to 10 points at this point four years ago. However, in this election cycle, he is performing better. “He barely lost that race,” Concha said. “Now think about what he has going for him now: real name recognition, campaign experience, [and a] vulnerable opponent.”

Currently, Sherrill is ahead of Ciattarelli by 5 points among likely New Jersey voters, down from an 8-point lead in late September, according to a recent Fox News survey.

**Democratic Doubts Grow Over New Jersey Governor’s Race, Report Reveals**

Concha described the New Jersey governor’s race as a close contest. “This is now a coin flip in a profoundly blue state, especially when you consider how unpopular the Democratic Party is overall across the country,” he said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/3854895/joe-concha-new-jersey-governors-race-is-now-a-coin-flip-mikie-sherrill-polling-dropping/

BlackRock Shifts Focus from Bitcoin to Ethereum Amid Crypto Market Crash

In a surprising move amid a volatile crypto market, BlackRock has adjusted its cryptocurrency portfolio by shifting millions from Bitcoin (BTC) to Ethereum (ETH). The world’s largest asset manager has moved away from Bitcoin’s declining performance, increasing its investment in Ethereum, signaling a broader change in investor behavior during a market downturn.

### BlackRock’s Strategic Move: Bitcoin Out, Ethereum In

According to data from Lookonchain, BlackRock recently deposited 272.4 BTC, valued at approximately $28.36 million, into Coinbase Prime. In exchange, the firm withdrew 12,098 ETH, worth about $45.47 million. This marks a significant shift from their previous strategy, where Bitcoin holdings were more heavily favored.

This move reflects a larger trend observed across the broader crypto market. While Bitcoin-focused funds have been experiencing outflows, Ethereum-based funds have seen increasing investment. Notably, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) recorded a net inflow of $46.9 million — the largest among U.S. Ethereum ETFs that day. This indicates growing institutional demand for Ethereum, even as Bitcoin interest declines.

### Institutional Shifts from Bitcoin to Ethereum

BlackRock’s reallocation is part of a broader institutional trend. Data from SoSoValue reveals that U.S. Bitcoin ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), faced outflows totaling $29.46 million. Meanwhile, Ethereum-focused funds like the iShares Ethereum Trust saw rising investor interest.

These market shifts highlight increasing demand for Ethereum products, despite turbulence across the broader cryptocurrency market. Other key institutional players, such as Grayscale and Fidelity, also reported outflows from both Bitcoin and Ethereum funds. However, BlackRock’s move stands out because of the large capital inflows into its Ethereum fund, signaling a shift in institutional sentiment toward ETH.

### Crypto Market Liquidations and Ethereum’s Role

The cryptocurrency market has experienced significant volatility, with over $1 billion in liquidations occurring in the past 24 hours. Of this, Bitcoin accounted for $369 million, while Ethereum contributed $262 million. These liquidations underscore the pressure leveraged traders face amid rapidly changing market conditions.

Despite the market downturn, Ethereum’s outlook appears comparatively positive. Data from CryptoQuant shows Ethereum’s open interest is decreasing, a sign that traders are moving away from speculative positions. This decline may indicate stabilization in Ethereum’s market activity, contrasting with the broader negative trends impacting Bitcoin.

Some experts interpret this as a sign Ethereum is positioned for a potential rally. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee described Ethereum’s setup as “constructive,” noting that current short positions could lead to a short squeeze — a scenario often followed by substantial price increases.

### BlackRock’s Impact on the Market Shift

BlackRock’s decision to shift assets from Bitcoin to Ethereum adds momentum to growing institutional interest in ETH. As more funds move toward Ethereum, institutional investors appear increasingly confident in its long-term potential.

Given BlackRock’s influence as a major asset manager, its actions may signal a broader market trend where Ethereum gains traction over Bitcoin amid uncertain conditions. While Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency by market capitalization, this evolving landscape suggests Ethereum’s technology and expanding ecosystem are attracting more institutional support.

With major players like BlackRock leading the transition, Ethereum could become an increasingly important asset in institutional portfolios moving forward.
https://coincentral.com/blackrock-shifts-focus-from-bitcoin-to-ethereum-amid-crypto-market-crash/

Bitcoin Cash Plunges 8.2% as Federal Rate Cuts Signal Economic Headwinds

**Quick Take on Bitcoin Cash (BCH)**
– Trading at $467.40 (down 8.2% in 24 hours)
– Federal Reserve rate cuts trigger risk-off sentiment across crypto markets
– Bitcoin Cash testing lower Bollinger Band support at $480.32
– Strong correlation with Bitcoin’s decline amplifies selling pressure

### Market Events Driving Bitcoin Cash Price Movement

The most significant catalyst pressuring BCH price today is Bitcoin’s sharp decline below critical support levels. This breakdown triggered a market-wide selloff affecting all major altcoins. Bitcoin Cash has closely followed this bearish momentum, with a strong correlation between the two cryptocurrencies during periods of market stress.

Adding to the negative sentiment, the Federal Reserve’s unexpected resumption of rate cuts signals mounting economic concerns, causing investors to flee risk assets. This macroeconomic development has particularly impacted cryptocurrency markets, as digital assets remain sensitive to shifts in monetary policy and overall economic outlook.

Earlier this week, corporate Bitcoin holdings surged to $117 billion, providing some institutional validation for the crypto sector. However, this positive is currently overshadowed by immediate selling pressure driven by Bitcoin’s technical breakdown and broader economic uncertainty.

### Bitcoin Cash Technical Analysis: Testing Lower Support

#### Price Action Context
Bitcoin Cash price has fallen decisively below all major moving averages. The current level of $467.40 sits well beneath the 7-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $517.10 and the 20-day SMA at $556.46. BCH is now trading closer to its 200-day moving average at $482.17—a critical long-term support level that could determine its next major directional move.

Trading volume stands at $52.9 million on Binance spot markets, indicating heightened selling activity, though not at panic levels that would suggest capitulation.

#### Key Technical Indicators
– **RSI (Relative Strength Index):** At 30.92, BCH is entering oversold territory, suggesting the potential for a near-term bounce if broader market conditions stabilize.
– **MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence):** Remains deeply bearish at -20.08, with the histogram continuing to decline, indicating persistent downward momentum.
– **Stochastic Oscillator:** At 14.06, confirming the oversold condition.
– **%B Indicator:** At -0.0848, BCH is trading below the lower Bollinger Band, typically a sign of extreme selling pressure.

### Critical Price Levels for Bitcoin Cash Traders

**Immediate Levels (Next 24-48 hours):**
– **Resistance:** $480.32 (lower Bollinger Band acting as resistance)
– **Support:** $443.20 (24-hour low and key psychological level)

**Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios:**
– A break below $443.20 could trigger additional selling toward the $400 psychological support level.
– Conversely, a recovery above $480 would need to reclaim the lower Bollinger Band to signal potential stabilization, with initial upside targets at $517 (7-day SMA).

### BCH Correlation Analysis

– **Bitcoin:** A high positive correlation continues, with BCH amplifying Bitcoin’s 24-hour decline.
– **Traditional Markets:** Bitcoin Cash is following broader risk-off sentiment as Federal Reserve policy shifts suggest economic weakness.
– **Sector Peers:** Underperforming relative to some large-cap altcoins but aligned with the overall crypto market direction.

### Trading Outlook: Bitcoin Cash Near-Term Prospects

**Bullish Case**
Stabilization above the 200-day MA at $482.17, combined with Bitcoin finding support, could spark a relief rally toward the $517-$530 resistance zone. Oversold RSI conditions support the potential for a technical bounce if macro sentiment improves.

**Bearish Case**
Failure to hold $443.20 support amid continued Bitcoin weakness could see BCH price test the $400-$420 range. Fed policy uncertainty and broader economic concerns remain significant headwinds for risk assets.

### Risk Management Recommendations

Conservative traders should consider stop-loss orders below $440 for long positions, while the high daily Average True Range (ATR) of $34.53 suggests that position sizing should account for continued elevated volatility in the current market environment.

*Image source: Shutterstock*
https://Blockchain.News/news/20251017-bitcoin-cash-plunges-82-as-federal-rate-cuts-signal-economic

Public Mining Companies Secure Billions in Debt to Shift Focus Towards AI Development

**Public Mining Companies Raise Billions in Debt to Pivot into AI and HPC Services**

Public mining companies are increasingly raising large amounts of capital to transition from traditional Bitcoin mining toward artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) services. By leveraging sizable debt offerings, these firms aim to fund expansions into AI infrastructure, signaling a significant strategic shift within the sector.

### Shift in Funding Strategies

In late 2024 and early 2025, public mining companies made headlines by raising billions in debt to support their foray into AI and HPC ventures. For instance, Bitfarms secured $500 million through convertible senior notes, while TeraWulf proposed a substantial $3.2 billion debt issuance to finance its data center expansion.

This marks a departure from previous financing methods, where mining rigs themselves served as collateral for loans. The total debt raised by mining firms in late 2024 hit a record $4.6 billion—the largest influx since 2021. Although debt issuances dipped below $200 million early in 2025, they rebounded sharply to $1.5 billion by the second quarter, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for AI and computing infrastructure as core growth drivers.

### AI and HPC Infrastructure as New Revenue Sources

Mining companies are actively pivoting toward building AI and HPC infrastructure to diversify their income streams beyond volatile Bitcoin mining operations. Bitfarms, for example, obtained a $300 million loan to develop HPC facilities at its Panther Creek project.

These initiatives offer the potential for more stable, long-term growth. The expansion into AI infrastructure also aligns with the surging global demand for cloud computing and AI services. By tapping into this expanding market for data-driven applications, mining firms hope to reduce their dependency on cryptocurrency profits and mitigate the volatility associated with mining.

### Risks Associated with Debt-Fueled Expansion

While the AI pivot opens new horizons, it carries notable financial risks. The heavy reliance on debt means companies must meet ambitious performance goals to justify their borrowings. Failure to generate expected revenue from AI or HPC projects could result in significant equity dilution, adversely impacting shareholders.

External challenges compound these risks. Increased mining difficulty has squeezed Bitcoin mining profitability, while rising costs of debt financing add further pressure. To remain competitive, mining companies must carefully balance innovation investments against financial stability.

### Looking Ahead

Public mining companies are experimenting with new financial models in hopes of successfully transitioning into AI and data services providers. This strategic shift has the potential to transform the industry landscape, but its success depends heavily on how well these firms manage their debt and deliver consistent growth.

The coming months will be critical in determining whether this pivot can create sustainable value or whether the risks associated with mounting debt and market uncertainties will outweigh the potential upsides.

*Stay tuned for more updates on how the intersection of cryptocurrency mining and emerging technologies like AI and HPC is reshaping the future of public mining companies.*
https://coincentral.com/public-mining-companies-secure-billions-in-debt-to-shift-focus-towards-ai-development/

Richard Linklater on His Two New Films, “Blue Moon” and “Nouvelle Vague”

The director engages in a fascinating conversation with Justin Chang about his latest work exploring the theme of artistic genius.

One of the films dramatizes the poignant decline of Lorenz Hart, offering a deep and moving portrayal of his struggles.

The other film details the triumphant début of Jean-Luc Godard, celebrating the emergence of a groundbreaking cinematic voice.
https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour/richard-linklater-on-his-two-new-films-blue-moon-and-nouvelle-vague

Dark money clouds circle Maine’s voter ID Question | Opinion

Maurice T. Cunningham, J.D., Ph.D., of Damariscotta, is the author of *Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization*.

In 2024, more than 370,000 Mainers—many of them elderly or disabled—voted by absentee ballot. Referendum Question 1 threatens to strip many of these voters of the freedom to have their votes counted fairly.

Concealed behind layers of dark money fronts funding Question 1 are far-right billionaires and Christian nationalists who fueled the rise of President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. Tracking and following dark money can feel like a medieval archaeological dig.

More than 90% of the funds raised to support Question 1—over half a million dollars—comes from a Washington, D.C.-based dark money operation called the RSLC PAC. This PAC is solely funded by the Republican State Leadership Committee, a group that depends on cash infusions from entities controlled by Catholic activist Leonard Leo.

In 2024, the committee has received $650,000 from a dark money front called The Lexington Fund and $100,000 from the First Principles PAC, which is also underwritten by the Lexington Fund. Both are operated by Leo. Going back to 2022, you’ll find $1.5 million from The Concord Fund, another entity controlled by Leo.

An additional $10,000 funding Question 1 comes from the For Our Future PAC. The principal officer of both the Question 1 committee and For Our Future is Alex Titcomb, who also serves as the principal officer of Dinner Table Action PAC. Notably, the For Our Future PAC is the largest contributor to Dinner Table Action PAC, giving $100,000. The For Our Future PAC depends on Leo’s Concord Fund for nearly all its funding.

Much of the money Leo deploys can be traced to the Marble Freedom Trust. In 2020, billionaire Barre Seid contributed $1.6 billion to Marble to enable Leo to expand his influence over American politics. President Trump assigned Leo the task of placing right-wing jurists Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett on the Roberts Court. Leo has reportedly been a “matchmaker” between radical billionaires and justices Thomas, Alito, and Roberts.

The Roberts Court has delivered elections to billionaires through the Citizens United line of cases. It gutted the Voting Rights Act and removed the courts’ role in protecting voters from unfair redistricting schemes. The RSLC PAC pioneered partisan redistricting efforts. Recently, Trump influenced the Texas state government to undertake a rare mid-decade redistricting to secure more congressional seats for MAGA.

The Trump administration has sued Maine to obtain voters’ personal information. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “there is a concerted White House effort to interfere in future elections.” One aspect of this effort includes Trump’s executive order attempting to prevent states from counting absentee ballots—even in states, like Maine, where state law explicitly allows them to be counted. It is important to note that the president does not have this power.

Historian Heather Cox Richardson writes that Trump’s 2021 election-denying lawyer, Cleta Mitchell, has stated that Trump could proclaim “a threat to the national sovereignty of the United States” to assert “emergency powers to protect the federal elections going forward,” effectively seizing authority over elections from the states, which constitutionally exercise such powers.

In 2021, Trump instigated a violent insurrection to overturn the results of a free and fair election he lost. A study by Leo’s ally, the Heritage Foundation, found that from 1982 to 2025, there were only two cases of voting irregularities in Maine—both in 2010—and neither involved absentee ballots.

Question 1 is a test of whether Mainers will surrender their freedom to have their votes counted fairly to MAGA and far-right billionaires.

Vote “No” on Question 1—in person or by absentee ballot.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/17/dark-money-clouds-circle-maines-voter-id-question-opinion/

Stanford study finds mom’s voice may help premature babies develop language skills

**The Power of a Mother’s Voice: How Reading to Premature Infants Boosts Brain Development**

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — For Kristine Atom and her son Kieran, afternoon time often starts with reading. But the sound of Mom’s voice has already done more than just spark his imagination — it may have helped develop it.

“My oldest child was actually also premature,” Atom shared. “So this is our second premature baby and he was in the NICU for, I think, basically up until his due date.”

Over those 10 weeks, she read to Kieran in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). But why was that so valuable?

A newly released clinical trial conducted at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital by Stanford researcher Dr. Melissa Scala and her colleagues offers an answer.

**Recreating the Womb Experience Through a Mother’s Voice**

The research team recorded mothers of premature infants reading from the classic children’s book *Paddington Bear*. The goal was to play the mothers’ voices for their premature babies several hours each night, mimicking the auditory experience that unborn infants typically receive during the final months in the womb.

“We know that babies can hear from about 24 weeks of gestation, so it’s interesting that this predates when the baby is actually born,” Dr. Scala explained. This period in the womb allows unborn babies to engage in a kind of neurological listening — a vital process that premature infants might miss out on when born early.

Several years ago, ABC7 News profiled a separate Stanford study highlighting the powerful bond unborn infants develop with their mother’s voice over others. Dr. Scala and her team suspected that this same auditory connection might be crucial for neural development as well.

**Why the Mother’s Voice Matters**

“Actually, it’s interesting. A baby who’s born full-term prefers their mother—their mother’s voice—to other female voices, and the language of their parents to other languages,” Dr. Scala said.

To explore the underlying physical factors, the team used MRI scans to compare the brains of babies who had been read to against a control group. The scans revealed increased neural development in areas associated with language processing among the infants exposed to maternal voices.

“And we were amazed to see the strength of the effect that we got,” Dr. Scala said.

**Looking Ahead**

The researchers hope to validate these promising findings with a larger sample size and to extend their study to infants with more severe health challenges.

While Atom and her son Kieran weren’t part of the clinical trial, the family believes this evidence points to a simple yet powerful resource that all families of premature infants should have access to: the sound of Mom’s voice.

“Yes, I think it’s super important to provide that,” Atom emphasized, “both because of the stress on the whole family as well as the benefit for the babies and the family as a whole.”

**MORE:** Bay Area hospital’s lullaby program improving birthing outcomes, bonding moms and babies
https://abc7news.com/post/stanford-study-finds-moms-voice-may-help-premature-babies-develop-language-skills/18006994/

Bert and Ernie’s street Crossword Clue

That should be all the information you need to solve the “Bert and Ernie’s street” crossword clue!

Be sure to check out more clues and answers on our Crossword Answers section for additional help and insights.

The post *Bert and Ernie’s street Crossword Clue* appeared first on Try Hard Guides.
https://tryhardguides.com/bert-and-ernies-street-crossword-clue/

Sega and FIFA Sign Multi-Year Deal for Football Manager Series

**Sega and FIFA Sign Multi-Year Deal for Football Manager Series**

*News by William D’Angelo | Posted 1 hour ago | 227 Views*

Publisher Sega and developer Sports Interactive have announced an exciting new partnership with FIFA for *Football Manager 26*. This multi-year deal will introduce official FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, along with official kits, broadcast graphics, and tournament branding to the upcoming title.

“Revealing this partnership with FIFA is an incredibly historic moment for the studio,” said Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson. “Heading into a World Cup year, revamping International Management and making it a much more feature-rich module for our players was important.

“To be able to do that with the support of FIFA through an official license—giving us the tournament broadcast graphics and tournament kits in-game—is a real honor. We’re delighted our fans will be able to experience this next year. And this is just the start of our relationship—stay tuned for more to come in 2026 and beyond.”

### Details of the Partnership

The multi-year agreement brings official licenses for FIFA’s biggest competitions to the *Football Manager* series, starting with *Football Manager 26*. The game will feature the FIFA World Cup 26, which will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Officially branded and titled FIFA competitions making their debut in *Football Manager 26* include:

– FIFA World Cup
– FIFA Women’s World Cup
– FIFA Club World Cup

Additional tournaments are expected to be added in future installments.

Coinciding with this partnership, a revamped International Management module will be introduced via a content update next year for *Football Manager 26*, *Football Manager 26 Console*, and *Football Manager 26 Touch*. This update will arrive ahead of FIFA World Cup 26 and will enhance the managerial experience for players engaging with international competitions.

While full feature details are yet to be revealed, fans can look forward to the inclusion of official kits for the final 48 FIFA World Cup 26 teams, as well as authentic broadcast graphics and tournament branding integrated directly into the game.

### Football Manager 26 Release

*Football Manager 26* is set to release worldwide across multiple platforms on November 4. Notably, the game is built with the Unity Engine for the first time, aiming to refresh the entire managerial experience and set a bold new benchmark in the iconic legacy of Sports Interactive and SEGA.

**About the Author**

William D’Angelo is a lifelong and avid gamer who was introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he joined in 2010 as a junior analyst, worked his way up to lead analyst in 2012, and took over hardware estimates in 2017. William also produces gaming content on his YouTube and Twitch channels and can be followed on Bluesky.

*Stay tuned for more updates on the partnership and upcoming features in Football Manager 26.*
https://www.vgchartz.com/article/466039/sega-and-fifa-sign-multi-year-deal-for-football-manager-series/