This week, the spotlight is on Automattic’s trademark dispute with the creator of Automatic.css, sparking debate around branding and open-source naming rights. We also cover WordPress 6.9 Beta 2, featuring 33 editor updates and the long-awaited merge of the Abilities API, plus major improvements to plugin security checks through the new Plugin Check Plugin.

Across the ecosystem, Campus Connect Costa Rica and WordCamp Islamabad showcased WordPress’s growing global footprint, while critical vulnerabilities were patched in King Addons, Anti-Malware Security, and WP Freeio. WooCommerce 10.3.4 brings key performance fixes, and FAIR joins Patchstack for real-time site protection.

Outside WordPress, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Go expands globally, Google launches Pomelli, and Microsoft confirms its $135B stake in OpenAI. Community highlights include BobWP’s 700th podcast milestone and new plugin launches like Ability Explorer, Plugin Curator, and PodLoom.

Sponsored by:

🔹 Kinsta – Premium managed WordPress hosting with speed, security, and scalability built in

🔹 WP Shell – Learn to self-host your WordPress site with 25+ free lessons on VPS and server setup

🔹 WP Job Openings – The easiest way to create a professional career page and manage applications effortlessly

Stay tuned for this week’s blend of WordPress news, community highlights, security alerts, and AI innovation shaping the open web.

This week’s episode dives into major WordPress headlines — from Automattic’s counterclaims against WP Engine in the ongoing trademark battle to the release of WordPress 6.9 Beta 1 and Gutenberg 21.9, bringing three new blocks and key editor improvements. We also cover WooCommerce 10.3, now featuring Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) in core, and new AI-powered integrations via MCP.

In security news, Wordfence warns of mass exploits targeting GutenKit and Hunk Companion plugins, while FAIR and Patchstack join forces to launch the FAIR Software Security Assistant. The episode also highlights Matt Mullenweg’s 20-year milestone at Automattic, major community events from WordPress Bhopal to Youth Day Nicaragua, and emerging tools like Progressify, Brand Assets, and Themeisle’s Fresh Rank.

Sponsored by:

🔹 Kinsta – High-performance WordPress hosting with Google Cloud’s premium-tier infrastructure

🔹 WP Job Openings – The easiest way to set up a professional career page and start accepting applications in minutes

🎧 Tune in for all the latest WordPress updates, security alerts, AI trends, and community milestones shaping the open web this week.

This week, we bring you insights from WordCamp Canada 2025, where Matt Mullenweg discussed WordPress’s evolution, the role of AI, and the power of community-driven innovation. We also explore the expanding Campus Connect program for educators, progress on the Abilities API for WordPress 6.9, and a major Slider Revolution vulnerability affecting millions of sites.In tech and business, an AWS outage shook the web, while WordPress VIP stayed resilient. Google’s new ad label design, ChatGPT search behavior, and WP Engine’s Smart Search AI MCP made headlines. The community celebrated WordCamp Dhaka’s record attendance, new plugin launches like Safe Updates, Rocket Insight, ProductGenie AI Shopping Assistant, and Hidden Gems, plus leadership changes and fresh AI-driven tools across the ecosystem.Sponsored by:🔹 Kinsta – High-performance managed WordPress hosting powered by Google Cloud🔹 WP Shell – Learn to self-host WordPress with over 25 free lessons on VPS and server configuration🔹 WP Job Openings – The simplest way to build a professional career page and manage job applications🎧 Tune in for WordPress news, innovation highlights, and the stories shaping the open web this week.