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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 …
Disney signs company-wide partnership with Dude Perfect, but no park attraction announced yet
Disney Dude Perfect partnership covers entertainment, sports, products, and experiences. Here is what is confirmed and what could come.
SMH and United Healthcare at odds on Medicare Advantage pact
About 33,000 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage subscribers who receive healthcare services at both Sarasota Memorial Hospital and First Physicians Group will be out of network starting Jan. 1, 2027, unless the two sides sign a new contract before the end of the year.
For Trump opponents, the midterms have already begun as ‘No Kings’ rallies push early voting at county elections offices
The rallies also encouraged people to sign up to serve as poll watchers on Election Day.
Detroit health fair brings free screenings, groceries, resources to families
Dozens of Detroit families walked away with free groceries, blood pressure checks and connections to local health resources at a community health fair designed to meet residents where they are.
Nearly $2M more comes in for David Jolly against Byron Donalds fundraising juggernaut
Can a Democrat flip the Governor's Mansion without significant help from the national party?
Addressing mental health proactively for our loved ones
As suicide and mental health concerns continue to impact families and communities, an Atlanta-based mindset expert, Michelle Bryant Johnson, shares how to recognize warning signs, support someone in crisis and navigate grief after devastating loss. You can learn more about SPARK at https://www.michellebryantjohnson.com/spark1000
Appeals court blocks part of Arizona prison healthcare order
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in the unsigned order, said that the state is raising "serious questions" about the ability of a federal judge to take over health care in a prison system.
AMC Movie Trivia App Launch At AMC Stock Has Changed Its Investment Story
AMC Entertainment Holdings has launched AMC Movie Trivia Game Show, a free mobile trivia app created with Hoyt Games and puzzle designer David L. Hoyt, featuring daily movie themed puzzles and AMC Stubs integration. The app shifts part of AMC Entertainment Holdings' customer interaction into mobile gaming and extends the loyalty program into everyday engagement beyond theater visits. The next point of consideration is how AMC Entertainment Holdings' investment narrative might be influenced...
Health insurance is the sleeper midterms issue: Why premiums are spiking
Americans are bracing to pay significantly more for health insurance next month, whether they have Affordable Care Act plans or get insurance through work. Premiums for some people could be t…
Health insurance is the sleeper midterms issue: Why premiums are spiking
Americans are bracing to pay significantly more for health insurance next month, whether they have Affordable Care Act plans or get insurance through work. Premiums for some people could be t…
Trump signs Executive Order waiving sanctions against Russia
President Donald Trump cited “national interests” for the decision to waive a punishing sanctions package targeting Russian exports and leaders.
Big Week For Red Wings 40-Goal Scorers
Alex DeBrincat signed a contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings this week, and the Hockeytown faithful couldn’t be happier. […]
Houthi conflict casts shadow as Saudi Arabia scales back sporting pipe dreams
A match delayed by missile attack warnings is not what Cristiano Ronaldo and co signed up for but it’s the new reality; the Saudi sporting juggernaut is stalling
Hackers Use Compromised ConnectWise Credential to Sign In to 173 Microsoft 365 Tenants
Attackers used a compromised ConnectWise Cloud Backup credential for unauthorized sign-ins across 173 Microsoft 365 tenants.
Pope's health should not be taken 'for granted', says top Vatican diplomat
Archbishop Paul Gallagher tells the BBC there was no sign of the Pope's ill health prior to his operation this week.
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. […]
'Dad bod' may be a warning sign of deeper health problems, fitness expert says
Marfred Suazo, a New York City-based personal trainer known as Fonz the Trainer, spoke with Fox News Digital about the potential risks associated with excess abdominal fat and ways to reduce it.
Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold, citing national interest
Trump's unexpected move comes a week after he said the U.S. had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices.
Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying waiver is in U.S. national interest
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest.
GTA VI not yet gold: Rockstar explains the final push before launch
Grand Theft Auto VI has yet to go gold ahead of its scheduled November 19, 2026 launch, with Rockstar developers telling Bloomberg that final fixes and refinements remain underway. The report examines how the game’s complex, interconnected systems have shaped development, though ongoing work does not itself signal another delay.
Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying waiver is in US national interest
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the nat...
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…
EAST TEXAS POLITICS: Smith County party chairs on early voting, this week’s Vance rally and more
Smith County Republican Party Chair David Stein and Smith County Democratic Party Chair Kristen Hardin-Sigler join Blake Holland on this week’s edition of East Texas Politics on East Texas Now ahead of the start of early voting. Both chairs discuss their strategies heading into the election. Holland also talks with Stein and Hardin-Sigler about this week’s visit by Vice President JD Vance and other Republicans to Tyler for a midterm campaign rally.
EAST TEXAS POLITICS: Smith County party chairs on early voting, this week’s Vance rally and more
Smith County Republican Chair David Stein and Democratic Chair Kristen Hardin-Sigler join Blake Holland ahead of early voting
Alberta early-voter surge suggests edge for Canadian side
CALGARY, Canada — More than 1 million people have already cast their ballots in Alberta’s referendum on separation from Canada, signaling strong voter turnout that pollsters say may favor the
Proposed AI Governance Framework: Risk-Mitigation Recommendations for Health Plans
Senator Maria Cantwell has outlined a comprehensive AI governance framework intended to drive legislative and executive actions addressing potential AI risks — and for health plans, this framework could determine how AI can be used in prior authorization and other consequential clinical and administrative decisions. The framework explicitly calls out AI-assisted prior authorization — including CMS's WISeR model — as an area where meaningful human oversight is required. Read our alert for six risk-mitigation recommendations health plans should take now.
Downtown Portland businesses weigh safety and signs of progress after deadly shooting
Downtown Portland business owners react after police fatally shot a man on SW Broadway. Merchants describe chaos, shifting street behavior, and cautious optimism as crime data shows assaults up, homicides down.
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
The event is part of a two-part youth pitch series designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship, build their confidence and give them a chance to present ideas while receiving feedback from judges, according to the Genesis Block Foundation.
Science and Medicine Group (SMG) Names Jasen Holness Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing to Accelerate Customer Growth
Veteran market research and commercial leader will oversee sales and marketing across all of SMG's insights and digital media brands as the company unifies its portfolio.
DC Lawmakers Focus on Business, Wealth Taxes in Budget Hearing
DC lawmakers held a marathon hearing Friday to debate different revenue raisers to fill a projected $700 million budget gap next year, but most focused on measures to implement a business activity tax and wealth tax.
'AI slop' or a boost for business?: How online AI promos are changing jobs in Sarpy County
As small businesses turn to generative AI for labels, menus and advertising, an Omaha-area graphic designer says the technology is reducing opportunities for human creatives.
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, […]
California falls short on Medi-Cal fraud, state report says - The Business Journal California auditor flags Medi-Cal fraud oversight concerns
California's state auditor raises concerns about Medi-Cal fraud oversight, citing millions in questionable claims and thousands of high-risk providers not under investigation.
Airline High School students run their own store to build real-world business skills
Airline High School students are getting a hands-on lesson in business through the Viking Exchange, a student-run store designed to help prepare them for the workforce and life after graduation.
Eagles Sign Joe Milton After Jalen Hurts Injury News
Philadelphia Adds Quarterback Depth The Philadelphia Eagles are making a move to strengthen their quarterback room, signing Joe Milton III off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad following the news that Jalen Hurts will miss Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. The move comes at a difficult time for Philadelphia, which enters Week 6 at 2-3…
The Pitcher The Cubs Need To Sign This Offseason
North Carolina could play a key role in this year's midterm elections
Midterm election results in North Carolina could significantly influence the state and shape the national political landscape, says John Dinan, a Wake Forest University professor of political science. Dinan explains what North Carolinians will see on the ballot, the importance of key candidate contests and the potential ripple effects on the state and federal levels.…
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.
US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"
There are still significant hurdles ahead, both technical and legislative.
Bears’ Former Veteran Wide Receiver Signs New Deal With Lions
A former Chicago Bears veteran wide receiver has landed a new deal in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions amid the latest NFL signing news. The post Bears’ Former Veteran Wide Receiver Signs New Deal With Lions appeared first on HEAVY.
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
Eagles sign quarterback Joe Milton off Cowboys' practice squad
The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Friday.
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.
Q&A: Design firm CEO says business background, probing into client needs fuels success
For more than 30 years, Berry has had a direct hand in the interior design of everything from corporate headquarters to call centers to hospitals.
Jalen Hurts’ health is of ‘utmost importance’ as Eagles sign ex-Cowboys QB Joe Milton
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni declined to offer details on Hurts’ health or whether the team has determined a course of treatment.
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.
Official NVIDIA Marketplace Seemingly Removes GeForce RTX 5090
NVIDIA's official marketplace, where gamers across the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia could purchase GeForce RTX cards through NVIDIA's official channels, is showing more signs that the GeForce RTX 5090 might indeed be nearing its end of life. There are officially no more GeForce RTX...
Eagles sign Joe Milton off Cowboys' practice squad
The Eagles poached a quarterback off the Cowboys' practice squad.
Georgia's Senate and governor races test Trump's political influence
Trump plays a significant role in Georgia's races, with Democrats working to tie their GOP opponents to Trump’s unpopular policies on the economy and war with Iran.
The many barriers young adults must overcome to vote: A research-based reporting guide
This guide from SciLine offers insights, tips, and story ideas to help journalists report on Generation Z’s voting habits.
Parkview Health to acquire Tennessee-based Ovation Healthcare
Indiana-based health care system Parkview Health announced Friday it has signed an agreement to acquire Tennessee-based Ovation Healthcare, a shared services company that works with more than 500 health care organizations across 48 states.
Dallas Stars sign forward David Perron to one-year contract
David Perron has signed up for a 20th NHL season on a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars.
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...
Dealroom.co | Parkview Health to acquire Ovation Healthcare in rural care push
What's the deal? Parkview Health has signed an agreement to acqu…
Eagles sign Joe Milton III off Cowboys practice squad
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Joe Milton III off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
Parkview Health announces agreement to acquire Ovation Healthcare to strengthen community healthcare nationwide, advance local affordability
/PRNewswire/ -- Parkview Health has signed an agreement to acquire Ovation Healthcare, a leading provider of shared services that strengthen the operational...
Former Michigan QB Joe Milton Poached from Cowboys
Former Michigan QB Joe Milton is reportedly signing with the Philadelphia Eagles after being poached from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
NCAA sues Ohio gov. over eligibility order for 5th-year athletes
The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine three days after he signed an executive order giving the state's colleges and universities the option of allowing athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to play a fifth year.
Things an interior designer would never have in her kitchen
Interior designer Lane Mari shared some common design mistakes, cabinet styles, and lighting options she would never put in her own kitchen.
IU Kelley School of Business Expert Weights in on Prediction Markets and Midterm Elections
As prediction markets play a growing role in election forecasting and increasingly compete with traditional polling, Russell Rhoads, clinical associate professor of finance at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, is available to provide expert analysis and commentary. Rhoads can help audiences understand how prediction markets work, what market odds actually signal about election outcomes, and why investors, analysts, and political observers are payin
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.
Albania: Protesting students demand political change and resignation of longtime Prime Minister Edi Rama
Empty lecture halls, burning buildings and demands for change: Albanian students are spearheading a protest movement that has become the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama in years.
Windows 11 Is Finally Becoming the OS It Should Have Been From the Start
Microsoft is completely redesigning parts of its OS so it doesn't hog all the resources of lower-end PCs with 8GB of RAM.
Five Big Questions The Angels Must Answer This Offseason
From new ownership to the GM position to the manager's office and finally to the field, the Los Angeles Angels face some pretty significant unknowns as they begin preparations for 2027.
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 […]
Biz Starts: These new businesses recently launched in CT
These new Connecticut businesses launched from June 25 to Oct. 14: Already a Subscriber? Log in Get Instant Access to This Article Subscribe to Hartford Business Journal and get immediate […]
Bill Taft: Road construction shouldn’t drive out local businesses
These road projects threaten to undo millions of dollars and years of economic development efforts.
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
Parkville business owner worries Highway 9 redesign could hurt downtown businesses
A planned redesign of Highway 9 and downtown Parkville has some business owners worried construction could hurt their livelihoods.
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
iPhone Duo pre-orders began today in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order on Apple's online store, however, wait times are longer now. The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time today will have their devices delivered on Friday, October 23. By just 5:20 a.m. Pacific Time though, select configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. are now showing delivery estimates into late December for new orders.
Trump increased investments in drugmakers that benefited from Medicare exemptions, Democrats say
WASHINGTON (AP) — Investments in pharmaceutical companies made on behalf of President Donald Trump increased significantly after he returned to the White House last year, with his portfolio adding mil...
Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Review: Complicated, yet So Damn Worth Getting Stuck In
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra isn't just a MacBook Pro for PCs. It's a strong sign that local compute power is what we actually need in the so-called "AI era."
Big Tech and Big Business are spending millions to block progressives on the California ballot
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. With less than three weeks until Election Day, outside groups are pouring millions of dollars into two types of state legislative races: purple districts featuring a Democrat and a Republican, and safely Democratic districts featuring Democrats of different ideological stripes. Political action committees […]
A new health center is coming to the Power District in another sign of the area’s growth
The new Redwood Health Center will be larger, offer more services and even more accessible to west-side community members.
Waypoint: Business Aviation Converges On NBAA-BACE 2026
NBAA-BACE 2026 opens with a packed agenda spanning new technology, sustainability initiatives and keynote sessions, offering far-reaching insight into where business aviation is heading.
3 questions with AI Power Breakfast speaker Mike Stitt
Artificial intelligence is creating urgent questions across every part of business, but the most consequential decisions begin well before choosing a model, tool or platform. The Business Record’s Power Breakfast on Oct. 29 will feature a conversation with Iowa State University alum and partner at Texas-based Lateral Group Mike Stitt designed to help executives, business…
Microsoft's Business Software Proposed to Receive Increased UK Regulatory Scrutiny
Microsoft (MSFT) business software is on verge of being designated with UK strategic market status t
Hospitals are selling their real estate. The deals may prove costly
Health systems are selling hospital real estate to raise cash for operations and growth, but higher rents and tighter oversight add new pressure.
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Stock Gets Fair Value Trim As Analysts Weigh Guidance Cuts
The analyst fair value estimate for Flutter Entertainment has been adjusted from US$136.12 to US$132.56, signalling a more cautious stance on what the stock may be worth today. This shift sits against a split analyst backdrop, with bulls pointing to FanDuel strength and product momentum, while more cautious voices highlight guidance resets, regulatory pressure, and heavier promotions. As you read on, you will see how this evolving narrative may shape the way you track Flutter Entertainment...
Gov. Josh Shapiro launches a federal PAC — the strongest signal yet he’s eyeing a 2028 run
Shapiro’s New Path PAC will allow him to fundraise and contribute directly to the Pennsylvania Democratic congressional candidates whom he’s supporting in the midterms, his campaign said.
Commentary: Mainers are tired of dark money and the rigged horse race
Allegations that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was being investigated by the FBI for a potential connection to a pay-for-play scheme until President Donald Trump purged the bureau’s anti-corruption unit, to some observers, seemed like a political bombshell destined to crater the senator’s re-election efforts. But based on conversations with several Maine voters, the ProPublica investigation […]
Truro City goalkeeper Stone signs new contract
Truro City goalkeeper Aidan Stone signs a new contract with the National League South club.
Vikings’ Standout Receives Blunt Update Among Contract Concerns
Everyone is trying to figure out whether or not the 2026 Minnesota Vikings are a contender or a pretender.Offensively, the Vikings have fielded one of the worst offenses in football through five weeks. Thankfully, the unit showed some signs of life during Minnesota’s 23-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.On the other side […] The post Vikings’ Standout Receives Blunt Update Among Contract Concerns appeared first on HEAVY.
What doctors want patients to know about food poisoning
Food poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Learn how to spot warning signs, recover safely, prevent illness and when to call your doctor.
"Not Our Business"
Four years after the “chained woman” case, another incident from the same region shows how little has changed for vulnerable women.
Eternal Anima interview with producer Makoto Shioda and development director Katsuhisa Higuchi – Future Sight Battles, time travel, and more
Gematsu recently sat down with Eternal Anima producer Makoto Shioda and development director Katsuhisa Higuchi to discuss Marvelous’ newly announced turn-based RPG. Topics discussed include t…
Feast of Little Italy honors Italian heritage in Jupiter
The music will be playing, the pizza will be hot, and the streets of Abacoa will soon be filled with the sights, sounds and flavors of Italy.
Stars Sign Veteran Winger David Perron to Pro-Rated Deal
Dallas bolsters its forward depth with a low-risk gamble, betting that the seasoned Stanley Cup champion still has enough offensive spark to provide a cheap scoring punch.
Apple lists unreleased iPad mini accessory ahead of rumored launch
While Apple is rumored to be gearing up to introduce an OLED iPad mini later this month, an oversight on the company’s French site might have just confirmed the product’s existence.
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
Apple has an unreleased iPad mini Smart Folio listed on its French regulatory website, hinting that a new iPad mini is coming. The case's A3632 model number doesn't match current or past iPad mini cases. Apple appears to have added the case to its website recently, and it's listed alongside iPhone 18 Pro accessories added in September. The listing doesn't include any iPad mini specs, but it does suggest design changes to the device it's meant for.
INTERPOL and WHO sign agreement to strengthen global health and security protection
INTERPOL and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at tackling some of the most pressing threats at the intersection of public health and security.
INTERPOL and WHO sign agreement to strengthen global health and security protection
Framework to support public health and law enforcement cooperation to protect lives worldwide
From 'Death of Robin Hood' to 'Sacrifice,' 10 movies to stream now
Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.
Designs reviewed for Greenville’s Falls Park Conference District, JW Marriott
Greenville Design Review Board approved one application and deferred another involving the planned Falls Park Conference District during its Oct. 15 meeting.
Top Duke Basketball Recruiting Target Cancels Upcoming Visits
A top Duke Basketball recruiting target has cancelled some upcoming visits which signals good news for the Blue Devils.
Frustrated with Trump, voters overwhelmingly want change, AP-NORC poll finds
A strong majority of voters believe that President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad, and they want major change in the upcoming midterm elections, according to a new AP-NORC poll that raises serious warning signs for the Republican Party at a critical moment.