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Trump suspends new Russia sanctions following deal to purchase diesel, citing ‘national interests’
Passed by Congress with bipartisan support, the sanctions were intended to limit Russia’s revenue streams as the country continues its war against Ukraine.
Prison healthcare takeover put on hold as Arizona’s appeal moves forward
Arizona prison healthcare receivership: An appeals court delays the takeover, keeping the state in control pending its appeal
Congressional Staff Open Letters Containing Suspicious Substances
The incidents, the first of which was reported on Thursday, came as election officials have reported a growing number of threats directed at them.
Wagner, Penda Exit With Injuries in Magic's Win Over Heat
The Orlando Magic finished their preseason on a strong note, but it did not happen without Franz Wagner and Noah Penda getting hurt.
Kid Chemist in Metro Detroit: Hands-On Science, Open Play, Classes & Birthday Parties
Kid Chemist offers classes and activities for students from Pre-K through high school, with programs designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and make science fun. Families can visit locations in…
Political violence: How justifications influence voter approval
What happens when political violence is presented as a justified response to threat or injustice coming from an out-group? A study by Ursula Daxecker, director at the Max Planck Institute for Politics ...
Sean Combs transferred to new prison after perks report, head injury
Sean Combs was transferred on Friday to FCI Allenwood, a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, following allegations of special prison perks and a head injury at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness. The findings could help explain why poor sleep harms metabolism and brain health, potentially opening the door to new treatments for sleep and neurological disorders.
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
High school students from New Hanover and Pender counties pitched original business ideas to a panel of judges Friday during the Genesis Block Foundation’s second annual Youth Entrepreneurship Shark Tank Competition at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Building.
New landmark study shows Illinois lawyers are in mental health crisis
There is an eye opening look at what can only be described as a mental health crisis among attorneys in the state, according to a first of its kind analysis commissioned by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Lancaster General Health doctor first in the region to perform groundbreaking procedure
(WHTM) — “Overactive bladder” and incontinence can be embarrassing to discuss, but they affect millions of people. A doctor at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has performed…
Cookies, liquor and mocking Nazis fuel final stretch in fiery Texas House race
Katy Padilla Stout's Texas Democratic campaign reported over $4,300 in cookies, beer and wine, and Mexican restaurant spending per FEC records.
3 Connecticut business owners arrested for alleged workers’ comp violations
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) — Three Connecticut business owners were arrested on Thursday related to alleged workers’ compensation law violations, according to the Office of the Chief State̵…
Trenton Falls Scenic Trails open this weekend
Trenton Falls Scenic Trails in Barneveld open Oct. 4–5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Staffed parking, volunteer trail guides, refreshments on-site. No pets.
Financial advisor advises to review health plans before cutting costs
Open enrollment is underway, and one financial advisor says there are specific places to cut costs and places not to.
‘Whalefall’ ending explained: Who survives? What happened on the boat? How does it differ from the book?
Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin star in Whalefall, a heart-racing thriller based on Daniel Kraus’ novel. Who survives? What happened on the boat? How does it differ from the book? Here’s the answers.
Gaston’s science department launches rock collecting project
By Caylie Moore, Features Editor Since the beginning of the school year, Gaston High School students have been working on a pen pal project — but don’t underestimate the point of this assignment, Features Editor Caylie Moore cautions. This project is no ordinary exchange of simple letters, nor unnecessary busywork for a drawn-out English class, […]
Packers' Jordan Love has bold projection for Cowboys game
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has quite a take on what will happen against the Dallas Cowboys.
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan Varadhan Oct 16 (Reuters) - A meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan VaradhanA meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of the latest science on the warming planet, the IPCC said on Friday.The impasse over the timeline, which has lasted near…
Frontier, fuboTV, E.W. Scripps, Sphere Entertainment, and AMC Entertainment Stocks Trade Down, What You Need To Know
What Happened? A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after The LSEG/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index fell 5.3 points from September to 45.2 ...
Business Insider: The Winners and Losers of the New H-1B Era
Partner Catherine Macris discusses how evolving H-1B policies are shaping employers’ ability to recruit foreign talent, particularly in highly specialized fields.
Heart surgeons now earn more than $1 million per year
Cardiac surgeon compensation is up 11%, according to new survey data from MedAxiom and the American College of Cardiology. Vascular surgeons experienced an increase in pay as well, but it was much smaller.
Braves Add Familiar Infielder Back to Roster Before Free Agency
Atlanta made a roster move on Thursday to keep a versatile infielder from reaching the open market this winter.
New UNT science and technology building on track to open in spring 2027
The University of North Texas hosted a tour of its new four-story science and technology building on the Denton campus ahead of its spring 2027 opening.
Boutique, Hawaiian BBQ: Check out 9 business, restaurant updates in central, East McKinney
Discover nine businesses now open, coming soon and expanding in central and East McKinney, including Cafe LaFaye, Grace+Emma and Ono Hawaiian BBQ.
Josh Bell Opens Up About His Future With the Twins
The Twins designated hitter led the club in RBIs in his first year in Minnesota, and now both sides have a decision to make about 2027.
VRE7 TV, a Red-Carpet Entertainment Network, Opens Casting Call for Fans, Creators and Industry Insiders
The independent network pairs its celebrity interview archive with on-camera takes from fans in the new VRE7 Front Row documentary series.
'The Wiz' Eases on Down the Road to Eisenhower Auditorium
The hit Broadway musical “The Wiz” will bring its reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz” to Penn State next week, featuring performers from “American Idol” and
The Bay Area's biggest show of the year just opened. Is it worth splurging on a ticket?
It scandalized off-Broadway and is now on a national tour. Is the biggest show to come to Bay Area theater this year worth the price of admission?
In 'Bucks County, USA,' a community torn apart by politics tries to heal
The five-part docuseries on PBS, co-directed by Robert May and Barry Levinson, aims to find common ground between community members in a purple county in Pennsylvania.
How healthy are your feet?
Many of us take our feet for granted — until they hurt! In Good Shape finds out how to keep our feet healthy and strong, and what happens when they're pushed to the limit on a 100-kilometer hike.
What Does Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) Expansion Into The UK And Australia Mean?
Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS) announced the launch of Hers personalised hair loss and wellness care in the UK in October 2026. The Hers UK rollout introduces tailored treatment plans for women's hair loss alongside broader wellness services through the company's telehealth platform. The business is also expanding its Hers care platform into Australia, adding another English speaking market to its international footprint. The Hers UK hair loss launch and Australia expansion open new chapters...
National 2D materials research hub names new director
Stephanie Law, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director and principal investigator of the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium-Materials Innovation Platform, a U.S. National Science Foundation-supported national user facility within Penn State’s Materials Research Institute.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe Says Physical AI Will Have Its ‘Science Fiction’ Moment by 2030
Speaking at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, Scaringe said that transformative changes in robotics are set to happen soon.
The Creative Arts Economy: A Local Business Beat Hiding Plain Sight
Long before TimeLine Theatre opened the doors to its new home in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood earlier this year, PJ Powers and Mica Cole had a vision for something much more than a state-of-the-art show venue. For Powers, the theatre’s co-founder and Cole, executive director, the goal was to transform a shuttered warehouse into a living...Read More
Michael Penix Jr. set to play in Week 6
Falcons Michael Penix Jr. cleared to play this week despite his Week 5 injury
Dr. Patrick McGill: Healthy hospitals help drive a healthy Indiana economy
Health care’s impact as an economic driver goes much deeper than direct jobs and spending, in much the same way good schools and housing are intrinsic quality-of-life factors.
Live & Local: Where to find upcoming local music, open mics and live entertainment
Rafters
Science Museum of Virginia Opens “Rescue” Exhibit
Watch Virginia This Morning each weekday from 9 to 10 a.m. Find the show on Facebook and Instagram at @VirginiaThisMorning.
Millions of dollars spent on AI-generated political ads as midterms approach
Political action groups and candidates have been using artificial intelligence for campaign ads, spending over $137 million for the midterm elections.
Gov. Josh Shapiro takes new step into national politics by launching federal PAC
As rumors swirl about Josh Shapiro's potential presidential ambitions, the Pennsylvania governor has taken another step into national politics.
Gov. Josh Shapiro takes new step into national politics by launching federal PAC
As rumors swirl about Josh Shapiro's potential presidential ambitions, the Pennsylvania governor has taken another step into national politics.
What Impresses Titans the Most About RB Nick Singleton
Coach Randy Jordan reveals why the Penn State rookie’s explosive physical tools offer a high-upside solution as Tennessee navigates looming contract decisions for its veteran backfield.
Tiny, critically endangered bat rescued and released in Pennsylvania
A fungal disease has wiped out up to 97 percent of northern long-eared bats in North America.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs transferred to new federal prison after medical emergency
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was moved from FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to FCI Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania days after he reportedly suffered a head injury.
Town of Wellsville: New business hours, Help Wanted: Union position for MEO Operator now open
From the Town of Wellsville, Starting November 2, 2026, the Town Board had decided new business hours for the Town of Wellsville Offices. PUBLIC NOTICE: CHANGE IN BUSINESS HOURS TOWN […]
Small business optimism dips in September NFIB survey
Small business optimism slipped in September as owners grappled with rising costs, higher interest rates and a persistent shortage of qualified workers, according to a monthly survey released by the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.8 points to 97.9, just below the survey’s 52-year average of 98.0. The […]
Fanatics plans flagship Atlanta Hawks store at Centennial Yards
Fanatics plans to open a flagship Atlanta sports store at Centennial Yards through a new retail partnership with the Atlanta Hawks.
Bumble’s buyout, Netflix’s shake-up, Reese Witherspoon’s do-over, and a wild week in business
Bumble is going private, Reese Witherspoon is buying back Hello Sunshine, and a Netflix shake-up. Here's what happened while we were at the MPW Summit.
Small Business Administration loans approved for Aspen Acres Fire
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Colorado's request for disaster assistance loans following the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer Counties, Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday.
Bucks change schedule immediately after Brewers make World Series
The Milwaukee Bucks' home opener was scheduled to conflict with Game 1 of the World Series
What I Want To See From Penn State At Michigan
They don’t usually win there, but…
Berlin's High-End KaDeWe Store Opens Dedicated Health Hub
KaDeWe department store dedicates 2,000 square meters to training, recovery and exclusive fitness brands and includes biohacking and Lagree studio.
Heike Pfau receives 2026 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
Heike Pfau, assistant professor of physics at Penn State, has been honored with a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Tottenham Looking For A Striker In January
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing to strengthen their first-team attack when the January transfer window opens, according to TEAMTALK, with Roberto De Zerbi said to have identified five potential striker targets.
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed more than tripled the fundraising haul of his Republican challenger, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Online records show El-Sayed raised $30,659,157 in the reporting period from July 16 to Sept. 30, while Rogers brought in $9,662,538. Despite that, Rogers’ campaign maintains a nearly […]
Lane Johnson's mental health advocacy may be the newly retired Eagle's most lasting impact
The star lineman made it more acceptable for men to acknowledge emotional distress and ask for help by opening up about his own depression battle.
Can social media bans protect young people's mental health? Early research suggests that bans aren't the answer
The year 2026 has been an expensive one for social media platforms. Since March, YouTube and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, have settled or paid out in multiple lawsuits totaling ...
'I can't do performances': Billy Joel gives health update after recent brain surgery
"I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances." | Billy Joel opened up about his health in a recent interview, saying that while he is better now, he doesn't know if he'll be able to perform again.
'I can't do performances': Billy Joel gives health update after recent brain surgery
"I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances." | Billy Joel opened up about his health in a recent interview, saying that while he is better now, he doesn't know if he'll be able to perform again.
'I can't do performances': Billy Joel gives health update after recent brain surgery
"I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances." | Billy Joel opened up about his health in a recent interview, saying that while he is better now, he doesn't know if he'll be able to perform again.
'I can't do performances': Billy Joel gives health update after recent brain surgery
"I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances." | Billy Joel opened up about his health in a recent interview, saying that while he is better now, he doesn't know if he'll be able to perform again.
Texas Upstream Employment Down in September
Citing the latest Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) highlighted new employment figures for the Texas oil and natural gas industry. According to TIPRO, employment in the Texas upstream sector decreased by 500 jobs between August and September 2026
Your eyes dilate depending on your thoughts
Brain activity and verbalization can both affect our pupils.
iPhone co-creator Fadell on Duo: There are both business and entertainment uses for these devices
iPhone co-creator and former Apple executive Tony Fadell joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss Apple’s opening of pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, use cases for HomeView, and more.
iPhone co-creator Fadell on Duo: There are both business and entertainment uses for these devices
iPhone co-creator and former Apple executive Tony Fadell joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss Apple’s opening of pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, use cases for HomeView, and more.
Local health insurance broker highlights changes coming to Medicare, healthcare policies in 2027
As over a million Coloradans review their healthcare plans for Medicare’s open enrollment period — running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 — a local health insurance broker is preparing
What a subscription business actually automates when it sets up recurring billing
The word "automatic" in subscription billing can mean two very different things depending on which part of the process it describes.
How Chick-fil-A started, grew into a major company
Chick-fil-A has come a long way since opening as a small roadside diner in Georgia in 1946.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs moved to new prison after reports of luxury lifestyle
The hip-hop mogul has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the he was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup, a source said
Spending More Time With Your Cat May Have Positive Mood Benefits That Correlate With Cat And Their Owner's Hormones
Owning a dog has been shown to consistently offer a range of benefits, but less can be said about cats. This new study may help explain why.
Marsha's opened to put women's sports first. A year later, it's closing
The news of the Oct. 18 closure prompts more discussions around what we expect from queer spaces.
Major independent political analyst moves Jared Moskowitz-Scott Singer congressional race to ‘lean Democratic’
“Democrats (are) in a decent position to hold this seat.” A major political handicapper, The Cook Political Report, moves South Florida’s 25th Congressional District contest to “lean Democratic.”
In immigrant-heavy Georgia city, Trump to test limits of his midterm message
The visit to Dalton is especially complicated for GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, who increasingly has emphasized his independence from the president.
Kuakini Breast Health Institute expands access to cancer screening and treatment
The Kuakini Breast Health Institute is now open in time breast cancer awareness month, offering specialized cancer treatment, including screening, surgery and monitoring.
Guardians News: Armstrong to Open for Game 4
News and Notes for Friday, October 16th, 2026
Sean 'Diddy' Combs moved to a new prison after reports of a luxury lifestyle behind bars
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Registration is open for high school winter sports
Registration is now officially open for high school winter sports for the City School District of Albany! Any student in grades 9-12 who is interested in trying out for boys' basketball, girls' basketball, bowling, cheerleading, boys' indoor track, girls' indoor track, spirit team, boys' swimming and diving, boys' wrestling and girls' wrestling is invited to register via Final Forms. Important: please note that registration for winter sports ends on Friday, Nov. 13. Practices and tryouts for winter sports begin on Monday, Nov. 16. FINAL FORMS Each season, the following must be done prior to the first day of tryouts and practices: A parent or guardian must initiate the registration process for their student-athlete in Final Forms, filling out the required forms such as Interval Sports Health History and the Athletic Consent Form. The student-athlete must sign and complete their required forms. A reminder that all students who would like to play an interscholastic sport need to have a current physical conducted within a year on file. PHYSICALS A physical conducted within the last 12 months is mandatory for any student interested in trying out for an athletic team and must be uploaded into the Final Forms platform. Families are encouraged to get a completed physical from their child's physician. If you are unable to get a physical from your child's physician, you can schedule a free physical with Whitney Young's school-based health center by calling (518) 573-2556. Additionally, the district physician will also be available to facilitate sports physicals at Albany High in room 4253 on the following dates: Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sports physicals on Nov. 12 and 13 are free and no appointment is necessary. ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Please note that students must have a good attendance record and be in good standing academically to be eligible to participate in an athletic team. Eligibility is determined based on quarterly grades, and interim progress reports will serve as an important academic checkpoint for all student‑athletes. For additional details about academic eligibility, please see our Athletic Code of Conduct. For our winter teams, academic eligibility to start the season will be based on final first-quarter grades. The first marking period ends Nov. 13. Albany High offers free tutoring facilitated by Albany High teachers Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. for students who need extra help with their academics. See this flyer for additional details. IMPORTANT DATES Seniors, please mark your calendars for Senior Media Day for winter sports, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 30. All student-athletes playing winter sports will also participate in our winter sports picture days, which will take place Tuesday, Dec. 15–Thursday, Dec. 18. Specific dates and times for each team will be shared once rosters are finalized. OPEN GYM SESSIONS Student-athletes are encouraged to check out our open gym sessions as they prepare for upcoming sports seasons. We’re looking forward to a rewarding winter sports season this year! If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Department at (518) 475-6310. Go Falcons!
Inflation expected to push holiday sales above $1 trillion
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts retail sales in November and December will total $1.013 trillion, up 4.2% over 2025 sales in the same period. 2025 holiday sales rose 3.1%...
Talarico compares his campaign to David and Goliath after GOP invests over $158M against him
The Democrat faces more than $158 million in outside spending by Republican leadership and the world's richest man, Elon Musk.
Biggest post-postseason questions for the White Sox
October was an eye-opener for the future of the team
More than 4,400 measles cases reported in US as CDC plans to send 'disease detective' to Pennsylvania
More than 4,400 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. as the CDC says it plans to send a "disease detective" to Pennsylvania.
Can AI solve our mental health access problem?
Last week I asked you what worries you most about AI in health. It was close, but your top answer was “AI giving bad health advice.” Last week’s poll results: You’re in good company. This concern was top of mind at a conference I joined at Stanford last week, where researchers, clinicians, and people who build AI systems spent a day debating trust and safety in health AI. Stepping back, I’m also hearing your emerging concerns about AI’s impact on our well-being generally. I see this as a matter of public health, and we’ll take it in pieces as we learn together. Today we’ll focus on AI chatbots used for therapy for mental health. Early this month, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, California’s most ambitious attempt to regulate AI use for mental health. It’s at the center of active debate, and raises the questions patients, family members, citizens, and voters will face as AI moves deeper into health care. Let’s work through it. What is “AI-based therapy”? It’s really two things: purpose-built mental health apps designed to deliver structured support, and general chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini that people increasingly use for emotional support—even if they weren’t built for it. Spoiler alert: I don’t know whether the shift toward AI therapy is good or bad. The evidence isn’t there yet. But I do know it’s already happening, and I have some ideas about how we can roll it out with safety in mind. The therapy dilemma, in a nutshell Mental health challenges are common, and strain health and well-being across populations. Therapy (interactive dialogue with a trained, empathetic practitioner) helps many people heal. The demand for licensed therapists far exceeds the supply in California, and AI-based therapy can narrow that gap. AI-based therapy remains novel, unproven, and not well tested. Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with trade-offs here. Since the main driver of demand for therapy from a robot is lack of access to therapy from a human, we’ll start there. It’s too hard to find and afford a human therapist California is short roughly 55,000 licensed, non-prescribing therapists and counselors, about 40% of what we need. Psychiatrists, who rely on talk therapy as a complement to prescribed medications, are even more scarce. Eight counties have none, and density ranges from 1.7 per 100,000 residents in San Benito County, to 68.1 in Marin County. My wife is a psychiatrist in Marin, and even here access is tight. If it’s hard in the best-supplied county, imagine rural Sierra County, or the San Joaquin Valley. In 2024, more than half of Californians who tried to make a mental health appointment struggled to find a provider who took their insurance, compared with 14% for physical health care. When Senate staff posed as “secret shopper” patients and called 120 mental health providers in Medicare Advantage networks, they landed an appointment less than once for every five tries. Insurers pay behavioral health clinicians about 22% less than medical and surgical clinicians for comparable office visits. On top of that, billing denials and prior authorizations hit hardest at the solo and small practices common in mental health. Psychiatrists opt out of Medicare at the highest rate of any specialty. In many places, a cash practice for therapy fills quickly with patients paying $250 or more an hour, with no insurance paperwork at all. Families who can pay cash find providers more easily. Those who rely on insurance, including Medi-Cal enrollees, older adults, rural residents, and non-English speakers, compete for what’s left. So we can’t pretend the human system works, and we can’t blame people for turning to AI for support when they’re in distress. AI is filling the gap It’s estimated that roughly a quarter of AI users use it for mental health support. If you have internet, it’s available 24/7, it’s cheap, and it speaks your language. Uninsured adults are about twice as likely as insured adults to do it (30% vs. 14%). It feels anonymous in ways that may enable people to ask things they’re unsure or embarrassed about. The largely hidden, personal use makes it hard to study whether it’s actually helping people with their mental health issues, but researchers are trying. Does AI therapy work? A 2026 analysis of nearly 40 randomized trials found chatbots showed a real but small reduction in depression symptoms. But most of these trials were compared to an alternative of no therapy, not a human therapist. So the benefit of AI therapy is probably real, but modest, and mostly untested against the alternative of human contact. We need more studies. Serious concerns OpenAI’s own estimate is that more than a million ChatGPT users each week show signs of suicidal planning or intent. These are high stakes encounters, and AI doesn’t always get it right. That’s partly because a chatbot can sound like a therapist, but it has no license, no duty of care, and it’s not clear who to hold accountable when it gets things wrong. AI is also designed to help users in whatever task they’re seeking to accomplish. People may feel like they’re getting therapy, but they’re mainly getting a convincing conversation. It’s easy for an AI companion to wander into gray areas, like playing along with “creative writing” that may be about the user’s own suicidal intent. Courts are driving safety conversations A wave of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of families claiming that chatbots pushed people they loved toward self-harm, including teens who died by suicide. The first settlements came this year. OpenAI is headquartered in San Francisco, and dozens of cases alleging that ChatGPT drove users to suicide or self-harm are now before a San Francisco judge. Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy after several states brought lawsuits accusing the chatbot of pushing dangerous content to kids. But the technology seems to be improving. Last month, an independent evaluation found that newer AI models “almost never endorse suicide.” That’s progress, but our societal appetite for even one preventable death is very low. So how do we move forward? Finding a middle ground Earlier this month the governor vetoed Senate Bill 903, a bill designed to place guardrails on the use of AI for therapy. The bill would have prohibited any AI-based platform from being advertised as psychotherapy, and would have required a licensed professional to review and approve each encounter where AI was used to support therapeutic decisions. Newsom called it overly broad, since even routine screening questions would have needed clinician sign-off. Knowing we’re already short on mental health providers, requiring human review of AI encounters may not relieve our access problems. Still, the answer isn’t no oversight. Here’s one feasible short term solution. Rather than reviewing each encounter, a licensed clinician can design the guardrails: what counts as a crisis, what triggers an immediate handoff to a human, and what gets sampled for audit each month. The AI runs inside that structure. Conversations get checked, failures get reported, and a real clinician owns the framework. Medicine already has models to learn from. The FDA process for rolling out newly approved medications is an example. After a product reaches patients, we keep watching for adverse events. Patient-facing AI needs the same “digital pharmacovigilance”: systematic tracking of harms, near misses, and the types of groups that get hurt and why. It’s also critical that users know that they can reach a human if they’re in crisis. Most chatbots now include messages like these: Bottom line The rush to use unproven AI tools for mental health support is mostly a workaround, a sign of a health system people can’t get into. We need better access to proven care from licensed clinicians. That takes reimbursement that makes accepting insurance viable, and a bigger workforce. But, built and tested well, AI could be part of the answer. It could be the 2 a.m. check-in when no one else is awake, or a way for patients to practice skills their therapist taught them. It could be the first step to get someone the right level of care, and take paperwork off clinicians’ plates so they spend more time with patients. None of this is simple. The SB 903 veto doesn’t end the debate, and the legislature will be back. In the meantime, those of us using these tools need to stay informed, ask hard questions, and hold the companies building them accountable. I’ll try to do my part, and we’ll keep learning together. Love,Matt P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988- you’ll reach a real person— or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs, Teddy and Ramona. Thank you Cynthia He, MD, PhD, and Parnika Saxena, MD, for their guidance in preparing this article. Cynthia works in an outpatient mental health clinic, treating patients who have Medi-Cal or, sometimes, no insurance. Parnika works in an inpatient psychiatric unit, treating patients with public or private insurance or self-pay ability. All opinions are their own and do not represent their employers.
How Digital Entertainment Is Changing the Way People Spend Their Free Time
Digital entertainment has changed considerably over the past decade. Watching a game, following a favorite team, playing online games, and keeping up with sports discussions can all happen from the same device. What once required a television, a gaming console, or a trip out of the house can now fit into a few spare minutes […]
Giants Could Trade Lee for Savings and Outfield Opening
The San Francisco Giants must decide if Jung Hoo Lee’s inconsistent production warrants a massive salary as rising prospects and urgent pitching needs force a roster overhaul.
MATCH PREVIEW, pres. by Toyota: Red Bull New York Return to Sports Illustrated Stadium to Face Toronto FC on Pride Night
New York have posted a 16-1-2 mark against Toronto FC since Sports Illustrated Stadium opened in 2010
Penn State Altoona political science professor publishes new book
A new book by Daniel DiLeo, associate professor of political science at Penn State Altoona, was released by Bloomsbury Press earlier this month.
Kopernik Cultural Center to host Polish heritage event
UTICA — The Kopernik Cultural Center, 810 Columbia St., will host a free open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in observance of Polish-American Heritage Month. The
What's happening at the Waunakee Public Library
Circulation desk—608-849-4217 waupl@waupl.org
Georgia amusement park to reopen as scheduled days after roller coaster death
Six Flags Over Georgia is expected to open for the first time since a man fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster. Authorities are investigating the death, which
Apple’s first foldable iPhone sells out within minutes as preorders begin
Investing.com -- Apple shares rose 2% in premarket trading Friday after the company’s first foldable iPhone sold out shortly after preorders opened, with delivery estimates now extending to January 25 as orders continue.
Beauty-from-within surges with new science, finished products
Beauty-from-within makes a comeback while ingredient research shows benefits for bone and gastrointestinal health.
Biz Starts: These new businesses recently launched in CT
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Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
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