An Ode to October Baseball

Posted on by
Reply

With the World Series just days away, excitement is building among baseball fans everywhere.

This time of year reminds us of the enduring beauty of the game — the strategy, the skill, and the unforgettable moments that make baseball so special.

Even if one team appears unbeatable, the thrill of competition and the hope for an upset keep the spirit of the game alive.

As we prepare to watch history unfold, let’s celebrate everything that makes baseball a cherished sport.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/world/la-dodgers-postseason-louvre-robbery.html

Wes Burdine: Why this St. Paul business owner is voting ‘yes’ to amend the city charter

Posted on by
Reply

I have lived in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul for nine years now, and the business I own, the queer soccer bar The Black Hart of Saint Paul, just celebrated its seventh anniversary.

On my three-block walk to work, on one of the busiest streets in the city, I pass by three empty lots and I stare at a wall of empty storefronts. Just a few more blocks away is the derelict CVS that has become a lightning rod of neighborhood fury, a monument to gross neglect.

Most of us who live and work in Midway can imagine so much better for our neighborhood: vibrant streets filled with more housing and more dynamic, locally owned business. There is no single panacea that will spur more development and investment, but there are a few tools to bring about that vibrant future that are incredibly basic and simple.

The fact is that our local government has been deliberately handcuffed from being able to take action on derelict spaces in our neighborhoods. Unlike all other big cities in Minnesota, when a commercial property owner leaves their property to crumble, St. Paul cannot fine them. The city can send them a sternly worded letter and then eventually take the owners to criminal court. There is nothing in between.

In the spring, our City Council finally voted to give the city tools to operate between the harsh warnings and criminal charges: financial penalties that can be right-sized for the situation and don’t go on anyone’s criminal record called Administrative Citations. The city was finally going to be able to address the owner of the CVS building or others like it in the future.

But then a small group of loud voices took those tools away and forced us to wait for a citywide vote to implement them.

Most small businesses owners like me are community-minded and do our best to play by the rules. Let me give you an example. In 2023, Black Hart built a patio next to our bar (it’s gorgeous, you should visit) after a long approval process. Around the same time, we saw another patio created without a single construction permit. Likewise, a major hardware store installed an illegally tall fence that also cuts off pedestrian access.

I spoke to an inspector about the hardware store who said they had no luck getting beyond an automated phone service to get anyone to address the situation meaning that, just like the CVS building, nothing was going to happen. They broke the rules, with absolutely no consequences.

Let me clarify: no consequences for them, but lots for the community.

The city’s inability to enforce its ordinances for bad actors brings down the surrounding neighborhoods, makes the city less safe and less pedestrian- and transit-friendly, all of which are a drag on the city’s image and the small businesses on University Avenue. The current system incentivizes scofflaws and penalizes people who obey the law. What incentive do business owners like me have to follow the rules?

This November, we have the opportunity to change this.

In the current St. Paul city election, if we vote yes to approve an amendment to our city charter, we can give our local officials the authority to fight back against bad actors who make our neighborhoods suffer. That will kick off a public process in which the City Council will carefully consider which violations warrant the use of administrative citations and how the fines will be scaled.

They will be established by new, specific ordinances, each one evaluated by an equity committee and adopted through a public process that allows residents to weigh in. This approach will ensure that this tool is aimed at giving the worst offenders a financial incentive to operate by the same set of rules as the rest of us.

Today it’s the CVS building, but there are a large number of derelict spaces throughout the city. Many are owned by far-away speculators who are happy to turn down offers from local start-ups that want to improve the neighborhood, and instead let their properties molder while they wait to cash in when property values rise. Our community cannot continue to simply hope that these situations will turn themselves around someday. Many small businesses won’t make it that long.

St. Paul residents deserve thriving, walkable communities now.

The city desperately needs this tool, making a vote for Administrative Citations common sense. We need to untie the city’s hands, so it can push back against absentee landlords, employers who steal employee wages, those who violate the conversion therapy ban, and other egregious rule-breakers.

Wes Burdine
St. Paul
Owner of The Black Hart of Saint Paul in the Midway
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/19/wes-burdine-why-this-st-paul-business-owner-is-voting-yes-to-amend-the-city-charter/

Software sector appears ripe for beats as Q3 earnings arrive: Mizuho

Posted on by
Reply

As the earnings season arrives, Mizuho’s industry checks indicate that the software sector is poised to demonstrate better-than-expected growth during the third quarter.

“Our 3Q checks were very solid overall,” said Mizuho analysts, led by Gregg Moskowitz, in an in-depth investor report.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505343-software-sector-appears-ripe-for-beats-as-q3-earnings-arrive-mizuho?utm_source=feed_news_all&utm_medium=referral&feed_item_type=news

They Call Him OG OTT release: When and where to watch Pawan Kalyan’s film?

Posted on by
Reply

**Pawan Kalyan’s Telugu Film *They Call Him OG* Becomes This Year’s Highest-Grossing Telugu Movie**

Pawan Kalyan’s Telugu film *They Call Him OG* has proven to be a superhit, emerging as this year’s highest-grossing Telugu film. The movie has earned strong box office numbers, grossing over ₹300 crore worldwide within just 11 days of its release. With a successful theatrical run still ongoing, the film continues to perform well at the box office.

—

**OTT Release Announcement: Coming Soon on Netflix**

Following its three-week theatrical run, *They Call Him OG* is set to premiere on the OTT platform Netflix. The streaming giant officially announced the release on social media, delighting fans across the globe.

Netflix shared a post with the following message:
*”Once upon a time, a storm hit Mumbai. And now, it’s back. Watch ‘They Call Him OG’ on Netflix on October 23rd in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.”*

Fans have expressed immense excitement and anticipation in response to the announcement. Comments like “I can’t wait anymore” and “I’ve been eagerly awaiting Ozzy” are flooding the post, which has received tremendous engagement.

—

**Box Office Performance**

*They Call Him OG* has garnered remarkable success at the box office, grossing over ₹300 crore worldwide in just 11 days. The film continues to draw audiences, further adding to its impressive total collection.

The movie stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, marking his Telugu film debut, while Pawan Kalyan plays a pivotal negative role.

—

**About *They Call Him OG***

*They Call Him OG* (often referred to simply as *OG*) is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language action crime film. It is written and directed by Sujeeth and produced by D. V. V. Danayya.

The film features an ensemble cast including:
– Pawan Kalyan
– Emraan Hashmi
– Priyanka Mohan
– Arjun Das
– Sriya Reddy
– Prakash Raj
– Abhimanyu Singh
– Sudev Nair
– Harish Uthaman

The story centers around mob boss Ojas Gambheera, who vanished from Mumbai’s underworld for a decade. He resurfaces with a mission—to seek vengeance against rival crime lords.

—

Stay tuned for the Netflix release on October 23rd and don’t miss this gripping action crime saga in multiple languages!
https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/they-call-him-og-ott-release-when-and-where-to-watch-pawan-kalyans-film-3267995/

Jalapeño Cheese Toast / Belkys

Posted on by
Reply

**Cheesy Sourdough Toast with Cottage Cheese and Veggies**

*Ingredients:*
– 1 slice sourdough bread
– 2 tbsp cottage cheese
– 2 tbsp grated cheese (your favorite)
– 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
– 2 tbsp finely diced bell pepper (any color)
– 1 tbsp diced jalapeño
– 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Cooking spray (we used avocado oil spray)

*Method of Preparation:*
In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, grated cheese, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, jalapeño, and fresh parsley. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.

Next, spread the cheese and veggie mixture evenly over the slice of sourdough bread. Lightly spray the top with avocado oil cooking spray.

Place the prepared toast in an air fryer set to 400°F (200°C) and cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until the top becomes crispy and golden.

Remove from the air fryer, let it cool slightly, and enjoy your delicious cheesy sourdough toast!

—

*Copyright*
https://wsvn.com/entertainment/bite-with-belkys/jalapeno-cheese-toast-belkys/

In 1 Sentence, Taylor Swift Gave Some of the Best Success Advice You’ll Ever Hear

Posted on by
Reply

Selena Gomez has credited Taylor Swift with a valuable piece of advice that played a key role in building her successful makeup brand, Rare Beauty.

According to Selena, Taylor’s guidance helped her navigate the challenges of launching and growing her business. This support was instrumental in shaping Rare Beauty into the acclaimed brand it is today.
https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/in-1-sentence-taylor-swift-gave-some-of-the-best-success-advice-youll-ever-hear/91253080

Bitcoin treasury firms cost retail buyers over $17 billion in 2025

Posted on by
Reply

**Retail Investors Face $17 Billion Losses Through Bitcoin Treasury Stock Exposure**

A recent report from 10X Research reveals that retail investors have lost approximately $17 billion after investing in Bitcoin Treasury companies. These companies raised a staggering $86 billion in 2025 by issuing shares to buy Bitcoin, a figure that surpasses the total capital raised by U.S. IPOs this year. However, as Bitcoin’s rally has cooled, many investors are now facing significant losses.

—

### Bitcoin Treasury Stocks Decline Amid Shifting Market Sentiment

Retail investors turned to Bitcoin Treasury Companies (DATCOs) such as MicroStrategy (now known as Strategy) and Tokyo-based Metaplanet to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin. These firms issued shares at premiums above their net asset values, using the proceeds to purchase Bitcoin. This approach boosted company valuations during Bitcoin’s bull market.

However, as Bitcoin’s momentum slowed, the stock prices of these firms plummeted. Many shareholders who bought in at premium prices now find themselves holding losses rather than gains. The 10X Research report highlights that inflated equity premiums caused investors to overpay by around $20 billion, which have since collapsed.

> “Those once-celebrated NAV premiums have collapsed, leaving investors holding the empty cup while executives walked away with the gold,” noted 10X Research.

—

### Bitcoin-Linked Equities Struggle Despite Cryptocurrency’s Surge

While Bitcoin recently reached a new all-time high above $126,000, shares of companies linked to the cryptocurrency have underperformed significantly. Strategy’s (formerly MicroStrategy) stock has declined over 20% since August. Metaplanet experienced an even sharper drop, losing more than 60% of its value.

Investor confidence, measured by the market-to-net-asset-value (mNAV) ratio, has weakened. Strategy now trades at about 1.4 times the value of its Bitcoin holdings, whereas Metaplanet has fallen below the 1.0x mark—meaning some stocks are trading for less than the value of their Bitcoin assets. Approximately one-fifth of all listed Bitcoin Treasury firms are currently trading below their net asset values.

This trend has ignited concerns among analysts about the sustainability of the Bitcoin Treasury business model in the current market climate.

—

### The Rise and Fall of the Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

During Bitcoin’s bull run, DATCOs raised billions by issuing shares that traded above their Bitcoin holdings’ value. The capital raised was funneled into purchasing more Bitcoin, creating a feedback loop that increased both share prices and Bitcoin assets.

According to previous reports by Coincetral, companies amassed over $86 billion in 2025 for crypto purchases—exceeding the total raised through U.S. IPOs in the same year.

However, with the slowing of Bitcoin’s rally and decreased market volatility, this strategy has begun to unravel. Investors are increasingly hesitant to own shares in companies that simply track Bitcoin’s performance but come with additional business risks. The inflated premiums that once contributed to profits have now vanished, forcing companies to focus on their core financial health.

—

### Analysts Urge DATCOs to Shift Toward Real Earnings

Brian Brookshire, head of Bitcoin strategy at H100 Group AB, remarked that the mNAV ratio is volatile and not a stable metric over time.

> “Most BTCTCs trading near 1x mNAV have only arrived there within the past couple weeks,” he said. “By definition, not a norm—even for MSTR, there is no such thing as a normal mNAV.”

The 10X Research report emphasizes that this moment marks a turning point for Bitcoin Treasury companies. Inflated valuations driven by share premiums will no longer be a reliable growth engine. Instead, these firms must demonstrate genuine earnings growth and disciplined business management.

> “With volatility falling and the easy gains gone, these firms face a hard pivot from marketing-driven momentum to real market discipline,” the report concluded.

—

### Moving Forward: From Hype to Business Fundamentals

As the Bitcoin frenzy slows, investor focus is shifting from hype to tangible results. Many Bitcoin Treasury companies now face heightened scrutiny, and the market demands clear business strategies over high-risk gambles.

For retail investors, the lesson is clear: chasing exposure through public Bitcoin Treasury stocks can carry substantial risks, especially when premiums deflate and market sentiment shifts. Going forward, success for these firms will depend on their ability to generate real earnings and operate with discipline amid a more cautious market environment.
https://coincentral.com/bitcoin-treasury-firms-cost-retail-buyers-over-17-billion-in-2025/

The Janet Mills-Graham Platner primary is a reckoning for Democrats hungry for new voices

Posted on by
Reply

Former “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd has observed a significant shift within the Democratic Party. According to Todd, there is currently “a real anti-incumbent and anti-establishment vibe” permeating the party.

This sentiment reflects growing dissatisfaction among Democratic voters toward traditional party leadership and long-standing officeholders. The mood suggests a desire for fresh faces and new approaches as the party navigates upcoming political challenges.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/19/the-janet-mills-graham-platner-primary-is-a-reckoning-for-democrats-hungry-for-new-voices/

Space junk falls on Western Australian minesite

Posted on by
Reply

Suspected space debris is believed to have crashed near a mine site in Western Australia, with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirming that the object was not from a commercial aircraft.

WA Police are coordinating a multi-agency response after the burning object was discovered about 30 kilometres east of Newman in the Pilbara region. Around 2:00 pm on Saturday, mine workers found the object burning near a remote access road and promptly alerted emergency services.

Initial assessments indicated that the item was made of carbon fibre. Police suggested it may be a “composite-overwrapped pressure vessel or rocket tank,” consistent with aerospace components.

In consultation with the ATSB, authorities have ruled out the possibility that the debris originated from a commercial aircraft. According to police, the object displayed characteristics typical of space re-entry debris.

“Further technical assessment will be undertaken by engineers from the Australian Space Agency to assist in identifying its nature and source,” the police statement said.

Officials are working closely with the Australian Space Agency, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and the mine operator to manage the situation.

The object has been secured, and police have confirmed that there is no current threat to public safety.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-19/wa-space-debris-reentry-investigation/105909612