## Concord director reportedly steps down as studio awaits Sony decision on game's future

Authored by eurogamer.net

Concord game director Ryan Ellis has reportedly stepped down after the beleaguered 5v5 shooter was yanked offline amid apparently disastrous sales, with staff at developer Firewalk Studios said to be in limbo while they await Sony's decision on the future of the game.

Concord was removed from sale earlier this month, just two weeks after its launch on PS5 and PC, with Sony offering full refunds to players.

Three sources told Kotaku employees are "pessimistic" Concord will return, with some having already been asked to explore pitches the studio might work on next.

"Ryan deeply believed in that project and bringing players together through the joy in it," one former developer told Kotaku.

"Regardless of there being things that could have been done differently throughout development...he's a good human, and full of heart.".

Firewalk was acquired by Sony last year, as part of a massive live-service push under former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan.

The response to Concord, Firewalk's debut game, was lukewarm at best, with industry analysts estimating it sold less that 25,000 copies across PS5 and PC. »

### Homeowners are increasingly re-wilding their homes with native plants, experts say

Authored by abcnews.go.com

Homeowners are increasingly opting to "re-wilding" their homes, incorporating native plants and decreasing the amount of lawn care to make their properties more sustainable and encourage natural ecosystems to recover, according to Plan It Wild, a New York-based native landscape design company.

As concerns for the environment -- as well as increasing utility bills -- grow, so do homeowners' preferences for how they decorate their yards.

Vigiletti is among a growing movement of homeowners who are choosing regional vegetation over the traditional lawn, according to Plan It Wild. »

### Multiple grocery stores, clinics forced to evacuate after bomb threats in Springfield

Authored by whio.com

SPRINGFIELD — Multiple grocery stores and clinics in Springfield were forced to evacuate Wednesday due to bomb threats.

Springfield police confirmed with News Center 7 that two Walmarts, located on N. Bechtle Avenue and S. Tuttle Road, and one Kroger, located on E. Main Street, were evacuated because of bomb threats.

Pregnancy Resource Center of Clark County and Planned Parenthood in Springfield were also evacuated, police confirmed. »

### Kentucky judge shot, killed in his chambers; sheriff charged with murder

Authored by wkyt.com

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT/WKYT) - A Kentucky sheriff is charged with the murder of a district court judge.

Several law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services responded to the scene and located District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds.

KSP’s preliminary investigation indicates that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines, 43, shot Mullins following an argument inside the courthouse. »

### California man finds he’s been paying his neighbor’s electric bill for 15 years

Authored by theguardian.com

A California man has realised that he has inadvertently been paying his neighbor’s electricity bill – for at least the last 15 years.

“I’ve been trying to conserve electricity and lower my costs because it was getting really expensive,” Wilson said.

For now, however, Wilson is still paying his neighbor’s bill – as PG&E said it can only be changed in the next billing cycle. »

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