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Oklahoma voters, your family's politics don't have to be yours
Family political traditions are meaningful, but you should evaluate your own needs before casting your ballot.
Prague Science Film Fest brings world premieres and fresh perspectives
The free Prague festival returns Oct. 19-22 with science documentary premieres, filmmaker discussions, outdoor cinema and an unusual conference.
Is Universal Health Services (UHS) Fairly Valued Or Is More Upside Left?
Universal Health Services: Stock Performance Snapshot With no single headline event driving trading, Universal Health Services (UHS) has been moving on recent performance data, including a last close of US$185.10 and mixed short and longer term returns. Over the past week the share price gained 4.4%. The move builds on a gain of 4.8% over the past month and 22.9% over the past 3 months, set against a year to date decline of 15.8%. For investors tracking the bigger picture, Universal Health...
My dad's death showed me that experiences matter more than money
When my dad died, I reevaluated how I approach work. I'm honoring him by living a more full life, and valuing experiences over money.
'He's everywhere': Carl DeMaio's push to make the GOP relevant again
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a conservative from San Diego County, has become a prominent voice for state Republicans. His vehicle this election is Proposition 39, the voter ID measure.
Pols & Politics: Could the Minogue-Healey polls signal an upset?
GOP rival Mike Minogue won the two debates by a country mile over Gov. Maura Healey — according to two Herald online polls. Plus: California Gov. Gavin Newsom to stump for Healey
‘Extraordinary health care professionals’ carry her through darkest moments
Tiffney Lane is a breast cancer survivor thanks to her team at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, part of Jefferson Health.
Oxford residents to vote on cannabis business cap Nov. 3
A number of Oxford residents are fed up with the perception that Main Street/Route 26 has become a cannabis corridor not reflective of the community's values.
Riot Games reveals Agent 31 Hush as VALORANT’s new Duelist
Riot Games has unveiled Hush as the latest Duelist joining VALORANT’s agent roster. The publisher will reveal her cinematic trailer during the VALORANT Champions Shanghai Grand Final day.
Things to do in Cincy this week
If you're looking for the best events happening in Cincinnati, you're at the right place. Find your next concert, game, festival or family event.
Democrats lead Republicans in House vote choice as Trump's approval rating hits record low: ABC/Post/Ipsos poll
Half or more Americans call every household purchase category measured "unaffordable."
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a new low and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress rising, as inflationary pressures contribute to the acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
Guardant Health (GH) Stock Looks Below Fair Value On A Huge Run
Guardant Health has turned into a dramatic long term story for shareholders, yet the real question now is whether the current US$158.60 price can be supported by the cash flows its business is expected to produce. With the stock sharply higher over several years and new clinical and regulatory developments landing, the focus has shifted to what the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) view of its intrinsic value suggests about that price. Over the past 3 years the share price has risen by very large...
Is International Business Machines (IBM) A Bargain Or Fully Priced?
International Business Machines has delivered a strong multi year share price run. With the stock recently at US$232.14 and cash flows in focus, the live question is whether that price still lines up with what the business can earn and return over time. Over the past 5 years the share price has gained 130.1%, which puts a lot of weight on the idea that IBM’s future cash flows can justify a much higher valuation than in the past. Fresh commitments in areas such as quantum computing and...
Health Connect festival offers free resources on health and safety
Participants were able to get flu shots, donate blood, get mammogram screenings, and receive resources on how to be safe.
Midland Mall Renaissance Festival draws thousands on opening day
Thousands of costumed festivalgoers filled Midland Mall on Saturday for the opening day of its first Renaissance Festival, featuring vendors, food, dancing and fantasy fun.
The American Forest, Maybe Not-So-Primeval
New Yorker explores how Indigenous peoples changed the landscape before colonists
Guardant Health (GH) After Shield And Reveal Data Is The Undervalued Story Still Intact
Guardant Health (GH) is back in focus after new data on its Shield blood test for colorectal cancer screening and Guardant Reveal test for melanoma residual disease were released in October 2026. Investors have taken notice of this Shield and Guardant Reveal data, even as the Guardant Health share price has eased in the short term. The 1-month share price return is down 9.32% and the 7-day share price return is down 5.30%. At the same time, the 1-year total shareholder return of 142.29% and...
Business Spotlight: Greenway Landscape Design & Build turns outdoor living spaces into true ‘bonus room’
In San Diego, the backyard has become more than a patch of grass — it’s where families gather, where friends connect and where homeowners invest in comfort and long-term property value. That shift has helped fuel the rise of outdoor living …
Facing Realities: Christian Nationalism, From Local Messages to Political Action - by Jessica Mitchell
Part 3.d -- Faith can guide someone’s vote, their decision to run for office, or their objections to a school board’s action. The question becomes more
Alan Bersten will fill in for Val Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s partner on“ DWTS” this week
Chmerkovskiy announced that he will take a step back from the ballroom following his tense comments directed toward judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Jenna Dewan’s new ‘DWTS’ dance partner revealed amid Val Chmerkovskiy controversy
Alan Bersten and Jenna Dewan will dance together on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ this week as Val Chmerkovskiy takes a step back from the ballroom following his comments directed toward judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Paxton touts economic plan, attacks Talarico at Killeen rally
Attorney General Ken Paxton pitched his U.S. Senate campaign as a fight to ease costs for Texas families and preserve the state’s values at a rally Saturday afternoon at Southern
Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Could Be 39% Undervalued After Argus Cuts It To Sell
Argus cut its rating on Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) to SELL, citing weak scores for management, growth prospects, and value, a shift that appears to be influencing how investors view the stock. Recent trading has turned against Sphere Entertainment, with the share price falling 28.3% over the past month and 27.4% over the last quarter. This points to fading momentum even though the year-to-date share price return is 9.8% and the 1-year total shareholder return is 76.4%. Scan beyond Sphere...
'Dancing with the Stars' pro Val Chmerkovskiy pulled after Carrie Ann Inaba remark
"Dancing with the Stars" pro Val Chmerkovskiy will miss next week's episode after a controversial social media remark about Carrie Ann Inaba that seemed to reference Will Smith's Oscars slap.
Bluebird Days brings live music, local food and entertainment to Greenbelt
KBOI-TV CBS 2 covers news, sports, traffic, and weather in the Treasure Valley and Boise, Idaho and nearby communities, including Meridian, Nampa, Garden City, Caldwell, Kuna, Middleton, Eagle, Mountain Home, Star, Melba, Payette, Weiser, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho City, Marsing, Homedale, Parma, New Plymouth, Murphy, Fruitland, Emmett, Wilder, Notus, McCall, Cascade, Donnelly, Council, and Vale, Oregon, and Nyssa, Oregon, Ontario, Oregon.
Val Chmerkovskiy will not dance on “DWTS ”this week“ ”after heated comments about Carrie Ann Inaba’s judging
The pro dancer is partnered with Jenna Dewan.
Val Chmerkovskiy will not dance on DWTS this week after his comments about Carrie Ann Inaba
Val Chmerkovskiy, who is partnered with Jenna Dewan, will be absent from the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ ballroom this week after his heated comments about Carrie Ann Inaba’s judging.
Val Booted Next DWTS Episode, Jenna Dewan Dance With Alan
“The well-being of everyone who works on 'Dancing With the Stars' is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show," BBC Studios said in a statement.
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors. That makes building reliable quantum computers extremely difficult. One fix has been to use traditional magic state distillation, ...
Hate Auburn When You Can
The more college football changes, the more important rivalries become.
Science Applications International (SAIC) Could Be 12% Overvalued On CFO And Leadership Changes
Science Applications International (SAIC) is reshaping its senior leadership after appointing Kenneth B. Crews as incoming Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, while existing CFO Prabu Natarajan transitions to lead the Civilian Business Group. The leadership reshuffle lands at a time when Science Applications International’s share price has climbed 15.2% over the past 90 days and 31.47% year to date, while the 1-year total shareholder return of 38.29% points to momentum that...
Heat reduces photosynthesis in California redwoods
California redwoods reduce photosynthesis at high temperatures, which may affect their long-term survival and forests’ capacity to store atmospheric carbon.
Susan Collins Says Rival’s ‘Oh, Shut Up’ Comment Reflects How He Treats Women
Ms. Collins, a Republican running in a crucial race, called the debate remark by her opponent, Troy Jackson, “very telling.” Mr. Jackson has defended his comment, and his campaign said Ms. Collins had run a campaign based on personal attacks.
Trump administration seeks to remove judge in golf course case, accusing her of ‘egregious’ behavior
The Trump administration has requested the removal of the federal judge overseeing a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s plans to overhaul a Washington, DC public golf course, accusing her of having “bias.”
Becky G Brings World Mental Health Day Festival to a Close in NYC
Becky G on mental health, BMI empowers women in música mexicana, Lin-Manuel Miranda honored & Latin Grammy's Leading Ladies of Entertainment announced.
Is Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Undervalued Following Its Brazil Exit And Legal Probe?
Brazil exit and legal probe put Flutter Entertainment in focus Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) has halted sports betting and iGaming in Brazil after nationwide restrictions on online gaming, a move tied to a new Pomerantz LLP investigation into potential securities law violations. Recent regulatory concerns have coincided with pressure on Flutter Entertainment’s shares, with the 30-day share price return down 22.5% and the year-to-date share price return down 65.4%. The 1-year total...
Is OPKO Health (OPK) Pricing In Too Much For Sales?
OPKO Health has seen sharp swings over the past few years, and the stock now sits at US$1.53 with investors reassessing what its current sales actually support. With such a mixed share price history and a changing business mix, the question is how much of the story around its revenue base is already priced in. Over the past 5 years the share price has fallen 58.5%, which puts the focus firmly on whether the current market value still lines up with what OPKO Health generates from its...
Easton’s Witches’ Walk back for 2nd year. Is the magic still there to draw 1,000 again?
New this year, the Twin Flame Experience — a local husband-and-wife duo — will perform theatrical fire-spinning shows between 6 and 7 p.m. both days.
PENN Entertainment (PENN) Slides 16% In A Month, Is The Discount To Fair Value Warranted?
PENN Entertainment (PENN) has been drawing attention after a steep share price slide, with the stock down 16% over the past month and 27% over the past 3 months. The recent slide comes after a mixed stretch for PENN Entertainment, with the share price roughly flat year to date, while the 1 year total shareholder return has declined 8.1% and the 5 year total shareholder return has fallen about 80%. This points to fading momentum and a market that is still reassessing the company’s risk and...
Video Deals and Steals: Small-business values for kitchen and home
Tory Johnson joins to share some amazing deals on kitchen and home products -- all from small businesses!
California redwoods are struggling in the heat — and it's not clear how much damage is being done
When temperatures rise, California redwoods slow down their rate of photosynthesis, a discovery that could have implications for the long-term survival of the iconic species.
Legendary chart-topping singer, TV host dead at 86: ‘Brought joy to generations’
She had a historic career.
My visit to a techie screening of the Elizabeth Holmes doc
Why is Silicon Valley so willing to laugh at Elizabeth Holmes? I asked some techies at a documentary screening.
Where to watch Tennessee vs. Alabama today: Channel, live stream, time, schedule for Vols vs. Tide
Tennessee hosts Alabama in the latest edition of the college football rivalry. Here's how to watch it with TV and live streaming information.
Egor Chinakhov Injury Update: Why Penguins’ Forward Missed Avalanche Game
Egor Chinakhov is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL and also possesses one of the hardest shots. Pittsburgh Penguins fans didn’t get to see that on display on Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche, though. He was out with a surprise injury. Chinakhov hadn’t missed a game yet this season, so it was […] The post Egor Chinakhov Injury Update: Why Penguins’ Forward Missed Avalanche Game appeared first on HEAVY.
Alanis Morissette, Rita Moreno among Valkyries Finals performers
The Golden State Valkyries have assembled a Bay Area-heavy entertainment lineup for their first two WNBA Finals games at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Valencia football takes care of business in matinee win over Canyon
High winds or a moved-up kickoff time, nothing stopped the Vikings from winning on Friday as Valencia came away with a 71-7 over the Cowboys and spoiled Canyon’s senior night. […]
Business owners call for boycott of lottery sales in response to the removal of skill games
Valkyries set tremendous entertainment offerings for Finals Games 1 and 2
Alanis Morissette, Goapele, Rita Moreno, Too $hort, Larry June, LaRussell set for Golden State Valkyries Finals games in San Francisco.
Springville businesses fear festival losses amid SCE power shutoff
Southern California Edison power safety shutoffs left Springville businesses concerned about communication and potential losses.
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 ...
Three Cardinals Named Gold Glove Award Finalists
Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals were one of baseball’s better defensive teams. St. Louis tied with Toronto for second in fielding run value (46), finished third in outs above average (38), and fifth in Fangraphs’ defensive value metric (22.0). Although the Cardinals had several above-average defenders, a few standouts in the field did much …
Good Sports: Bulldog Blitz descending back into the Valley
Some traditions are just too good to stay grounded as a Valley skydiving team is making its way to high school football games.
Detroit Tigers Reportedly Hiring World Series Champion
The Detroit Tigers are reportedly hiring Martin Maldonado as quality control coach, reuniting him with A.J. Hinch and Framber Valdez.
Huntingdon Health and Rehab wraps up annual Fall Festival
The Fall Festival at Huntingdon Health and Rehab has wrapped up after a full afternoon of family fun.
K-pop Entertainment Company Hello82 Aims to Plant a Flag in Festival Market with Inaugural 82World
The two-day, fan-focused festival arrives in Los Angeles this weekend, headlined by the chart-topping boy group ATEEZ.
Hello82 Founder on Inaugural K-pop Festival 82World Featuring ATEEZ
The two-day, fan-focused festival arrives in Los Angeles this weekend, headlined by the chart-topping boy group ATEEZ.
Knoxville mom turns rivalry pinatas into business, creative outlet amid daughter’s rare diagnosis
Rivalry Row Pinatas let fans take a swing at Tennessee’s opponents at tailgates
Man accused in chainsaw killings ordered into emergency mental health treatment, court documents say
Court records show the order was filed Friday, October 16. It says 47-year-old Thomas Steele’s mental condition has “deteriorated” since a judge first ordered a competency evaluation Tuesday, October 13.
Democrats say Trump increased investments in drugmakers that were given Medicare exemptions
The report from congressional Democrats found that Trump’s pharmaceutical stock holdings grew from a maximum reported value of $1.7 million in 2024 to as much as $56.2 million at the end of 2025.
Democratic Senate candidates swamp GOP rivals in fundraising: From the Politics Desk
Plus, tensions boil over on the debate stage.
Emerald Bay Camping & Marine Science Adventure
NAC Avalon Ocean Club embarked on its first-ever overnight camping adventure down the coast to Emerald Bay. This marked the farthest and longest our young ocean warriors have ventured from Avalon as a team, and what an incredible 24 hours it was. What started as an idea became a reality through an amazing collaboration with […]
Collin Gosselin slams mom Kate for mental health claims, says ‘maybe it’s time’ she get psychiatric evaluation
Collin Gosselin and his mother, Kate Gosselin, have been locked in a bitter feud after he accused her of abuse in his memoir, ‘In the Shadow of Eight,’ which released on Oct. 13.
Behavioral health therapist joins UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center’s primary care team
Behavioral health clinician joins Estes Valley's primary care clinic as an additional resource to meet emotional and behavioral health needs.
Antonio Banderas, Nicolas Cage to star in 'True Detective' season 5
Nicolas Cage attends 'The Surfer' photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2024, in Cannes, France. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) | Antonio Banderas
Evaluating Brian Cashman’s 2026 season
The Yankees’ head of baseball had some hits and many misses this year.
Aurora Behavioral Health hosts first Connect Fest to connect families with care
More than 40 health organizations gathered in one place with the same goal: helping Valley families connect with the resources they need.
Hackathon Welcomes STC Cybersecurity Students
For South Texas College Cybersecurity student Athena Vallejo, presenting to high school students at one of the college’s signature events is an opportunity to show them a future they can build for themselves.
In sickness and health: Husband and wife share powerful breast cancer survival stories
One local couple is making sure both women and men know the warning signs of breast cancer.
In sickness and health: Husband and wife share powerful breast cancer survival stories
One local couple is making sure both women and men know the warning signs of breast cancer.
Patriots vs. Jets series history ahead of Week 6
The most memorable moments of the Patriots-Jets rivalry, relived.
Family Business Succession Planning Is About More Than Assets
Family business succession is about more than transferring assets. A meaningful legacy also reflects your values, strengths, sense of purpose and the example you leave for future generations.
Family Business Succession Planning Is About More Than Assets
Family business succession is about more than transferring assets. A meaningful legacy also reflects your values, strengths, sense of purpose and the example you leave for future generations.
Sell Rating Could Be A Turning Point For Sphere Entertainment Stock (SPHR)
Argus recently cut its view on Sphere Entertainment to a SELL rating, citing weaker scores on management quality, growth potential, and valuation, while assigning only medium marks to financial strength and the industry backdrop. The downgrade highlights a key tension in Sphere Entertainment’s story: an experience-heavy, capital-intensive model that faces questions about execution discipline and long-run profitability. This raises the question of how Sphere Entertainment's investment...
Cavaliers Star James Harden Ranked 11th-Best 'Creator' in NBA
James Harden is one of the best creators in the NBA.
Greensboro bank makes rival bid for Durham's historic M&F
A rival offer could preserve the historic Black-owned bank's identity ahead of an Oct. 20 vote.
Uniting Hearts Music Festival combines entertainment with community service on October 17
The Uniting Hearts Music Festival returns for its seventh annual event on Saturday, October 17th.
Live entertainment emerging as winner in streaming era
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EMERGING AS WINNER IN STREAMING ERAIn a digital world where entertainment is just a tap away at home, do people still crave the thrill of live spectacle and value shared experiences?UBS believes they do. In a recent note, the brokerage said it remains constructive on the long-ter…
SACE’s $31 billion US portfolio underscores the strength of Italy-US business ties
Italy’s export credit agency, SACE, has €27 billion in outstanding commitments in the United States, highlighting the strong economic ties between the two countries. The agency is actively facilitating Italian companies’ access to the US market and attracting investment into Italy, with a focus on high-value sectors like advanced manufacturing and strategic technologies. SACE’s presence in the US underscores the growing integration of Italian industrial supply chains into major American projects
How much are D.C.'s sports teams worth?
The Commanders are valued at $9.64 billion — $3.59 billion more than their 2023 sale price. Here's what the city's other franchises are worth, according to Sportico.
Go back to the medieval times with the Baton Rouge Maker Faire. See when, where, what to do.
Join the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Maker Faire for medieval-themed activities, hands-on projects, performances and more.
How Hürzeler’s Tactics Have Changed Brighton in 2026/27
The German tactical mastermind has weaponized relentless high-pressing and clinical efficiency, transforming the Seagulls into a fearless scoring machine that currently rivals Europe’s most elite heavyweights.
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!
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.
College Football 27 predicts Alabama vs. Tennessee in Week 7
Alabama travels to Tennessee this Saturday for a huge rivalry matchup. Here is who the College Football 27 video game predicts to win.
Northwestern vs. Michigan State: 3 Best Bets for Week 7
Capitalize on vulnerable pass defenses and Aidan Chiles’ revenge narrative as these three expert picks target undervalued player props for a high-stakes Big Ten showdown in East Lansing.
‘Thriller’ flash mob, Spooky Mad Science Expo take over Alexandria this weekend
Halloween festivities are starting to ramp up in Alexandria as October continues on. This weekend, the "Thriller" Zombie Flash Mob descends upon Old Town, retailers will host the new Sticker Treat sticker crawl, and the Spooky Mad Science Expo returns for an 11th year at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The Ethiopian Fall Festival has also
BVCC's Business Leadership Summit Series: AI
The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) is proud to announce a quarterly leadership series exploring the forces reshaping businesses. The inaugural summit will focus on Artificial Intelligence, designed for […]
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Following Argus Focus Is The Digital Growth Story Undervalued
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) is back in focus after research provider Argus highlighted its mix of roughly 50 U.S. gaming properties and detailed 2024 EBITDAR contributions from Las Vegas and regional operations. Recent trading has been softer, with the share price slipping over the past week and month, and the 3-month share price return down 2.04%. However, Caesars Entertainment still carries a 24.15% year to date share price gain and a 34.61% 1-year total shareholder return, alongside a much...
Cisco Expands Work With Hawks, Cavaliers, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
Cisco is expanding its work with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) as the 2026-27 NBA season gets underway, providing digital infrastructure for their arenas...
Keep politics out of our courts and off our public lands
In an era of divisive politics, one thing Montanans agree on is the importance of our access to public lands and waters. These are more than values we hold: they
Republicans are spending millions to oust a Democrat who won by 187 votes. Should he worry?
Adam Gray won California’s closest House race by 187 votes in 2024. Now, Republicans are spending millions trying to reclaim the Central Valley seat.