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This Common, Preventable Condition Could Cost You Up to 6 Years of Good Health, Scientists Say
Your mental health may be at greatest risk.
Brain cells meant to protect us may be fueling cognitive decline
Scientists have uncovered a surprising cause of age-related cognitive decline involving brain cells previously thought to be entirely beneficial. As these cells become dysfunctional, they can produce abnormal amounts of myelin, disrupting nerve fibers and potentially contributing to worsening memory and thinking skills.
Joe Manganiello reveals plot of Ben Affleck’s scrapped Batman film
Joe Manganiello shared a detailed plot description for Ben Affleck’s unmade ‘Batman’ movie, which would have seen Deathstroke ‘dismantle Batman’s entire life.’
SEC’s Greg Sankey warns of conference-only rules if Congress fails on college sports
Speaking at SEC basketball media days, Sankey emphasized the need for federal help but noted the conference might take a more active role if Congress falls short.
Journalist Ronan Farrow on Elon Musk's trillion-dollar political influence
Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire, has influence across the economy and politics. NPR's Scott Simon talks to reporter Ronan Farrow of The New Yorker about Musk's campaign spending and more.
Ask Rufus: It’s just politics
In this political season, it is interesting to recall some of the characters who have made southern politics a spectator sport. The South has always had more than its fair share of interesting political figures.
Microsoft updates Windows 11 Xbox mode with easier access to desktop and power controls
Microsoft is making it easier to return to Windows from Xbox mode. The latest Insider builds introduce a refreshed Gaming Task View with desktop and power shortcuts.
Linda Pauli named 2026 Athena Leadership Award recipient in Alliance
Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Alliance Awards luncheon on Oct. 16. Here are the winners.
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.
Inside Hegseth’s political ambitions — and the risks threatening them
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rarely shied away from controversy, but his latest spectacle — announcing that the convicted Fort Hood mass shooter’s execution would be livestreamed — proved a bridge too far even for President Donald Trump.
Trump’s election fraud task force is going after the people who investigated him
President Donald Trump has made no secret of his demands to see charges against former officials.
I'm a CEO who wakes up at 3 am, but I don't make my team do 996 hours
Hardik Jagda, CEO of an AI engineering company, shares why he doesn't ask his team to work 996 hours, even though he starts his day as early as 3 a.m.
Opinion: Do social media bans protect teens' mental health? Research suggests bans aren’t the answer.
Opinion by Ari Lightman: I research digital media and marketing and measure the impact of new technologies, and I’m skeptical about whether prohibiting access to social media platforms will actually improve young people’s mental health.
Are we alone? The science behind why intelligent life could be the rarest thing in the Universe | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
When we look across the Universe, we might come to the conclusion that intelligent life is really a very rare thing indeed.
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.
Hurricanes @ Jets: Preview and Game Thread
The Carolina Hurricanes (6-1-1) begin their annual “State Fair road trip” with a match against the Winnipeg Jets (4-1-2) on Saturday afternoon. The Canes have won six games in a row and have looked good doing it. Sebastian Aho with 13 points (6G 7A), Andrei Svechnikov 11 points (6G 5A), and Mark Jankowski are each […]
'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.
Business owners call for boycott of lottery sales in response to the removal of skill games
Leonardo DiCaprio's 'dad bod' puts spotlight on dangerous belly fat — and how to lose it
Leonardo DiCaprio's beach photos sparked a 'dad bod' debate, as a trainer warns that excess belly fat and visceral fat carry serious health risks.
State health department recommends annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines
With flu season officially underway, the state has issued a standing recommendation asking all health care providers to follow American Medical Association information on vaccines and when patients…
Georgia Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums set to rise dramatically
Georgia marketplace health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act could skyrocket as high as 29 percent next year.
M42 CEO on AI, genomics and the future of healthcare
M42 Group CEO Dimitris Moulavasilis discusses how the Abu Dhabi-based healthcare company is combining artificial intelligence, genomics and clinical services to reshape healthcare. He explores the group’s international expansion, the Emirati Genome Programme and the potential for technology to help doctors identify health risks earlier and move healthcare towards prevention rather than treatment.
Lincoln sports bar will play all of 10 p.m. Husker game in the latest kickoff since 1992
Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Lincoln says it plans to play the entirety of the game on their screens, even if they have to cut off alcohol sales at 2 a.m.
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.
Texas Has Been Considering Selling a Beloved State Park to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Sources Say
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission had been scheduled to discuss selling Boca Chica State Park, Texas Monthly has learned.
WKU celebrates CAYA Advancing Research and Community Health Institute
The Institute was made possible through a $1.375 million gift from CAYA Collaborative Care Inc., formerly LifeSkills
Horror, electronic music and Russian politics: Brittany Roberts connects them all
Brittany Roberts, an assistant professor with the App State English department, gave a talk on how Russian electronic music duo IC3PEAK uses horror imagery to critique its government. The talk was part of the Music Humanities Community Conversation Series, a series of presentations and workshops coordinated by Jacob Kopcienski, an assistant professor of musicology with...
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.
Traverse City Central's New 'Ride Lab' Uses Skateboards to Teach Physics, Business Skills
What if the most effective physics classroom isn’t a classroom at all, but a skate park? This fall, Traverse City Central High School is experimenting with that very question. Brett Derr is one the teachers behind the Ride Lab, a brand-new double-block course at Central that combines physics, business, marketing, and advertising. In the past, …
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.
Nebraska Black Maternal Health Month marks 5 years with an exhibit uplifting community midwifery care
Nebraska Black Maternal Health Month marks 5 years with an exhibit uplifting midwifery and community-based care for Black mothers.
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.
Intel chief says White House will not meddle in its semiconductor business
Lip-Bu Tan defends Trump stake, assesses chips from China as not far behind US tech
EAST TEXAS POLITICS: Smith County party chairs on early voting, this week’s Vance rally and more
Both chairs discuss campaign strategy, recap Vice President JD Vance’s Tyler rally and address assault allegations.
DOJ says California officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizens risk prosecution
The Trump administration is escalating its fight with California ahead of next month's midterm election, warning that local officials who process and tabulate ballots submitted by suspected noncitizen voters are putting themselves at risk of criminal investigation and potential prosecution.
7+ Florida Politics Now: Discussing the upcoming midterm elections
On this episode, we’re discussing the upcoming midterm elections
Health experts warn of flesh-eating bacteria in floodwaters
Following Hurricane Isaias and heavy rainfall, health experts are warning families about an unseen bacteria in the water that poses a serious health risk.
Tense meeting in Braddock over new strip mill leaves residents frustrated
Tensions ran high Thursday evening at the Carnegie Library in Braddock, where borough residents asked members of the Allegheny County Health Department’s...
Man accused in chainsaw killings ordered into emergency mental health treatment
Court records show the order was filed Oct. 16.
Super Smash Bros. Player Mew2King Banned From Tournament After Bug Bites Spark Health Concerns
Professional Super Smash Bros. player Jason ‘Mew2King’ Zimmerman has been banned from a competitive tournament after posting photos of his concerning skin condition and complaining of a bug infestation in his home.
Super Smash Bros. Player Mew2King Banned From Tournament After Bug Bites Spark Health Concerns
Professional Super Smash Bros. player Jason ‘Mew2King’ Zimmerman has been banned from a competitive tournament after posting photos of his concerning skin condition and complaining of a bug infestation in his home.
Player Availability Report: #SKCvRSL
Player Availability Report is SportingKC.com’s look at the latest status updates around the team ahead of upcoming matches and is presented by Saint Luke’s. All details listed are from the league’s official Player Status Report that is submitted the day prior to the match. Sporting Kansas City returns home this
NBA Draws New Lines on What Fans Can Bet On
The league is restricting risky player props.
With flying Roadster, Tesla waves goodbye to the car business
The Roadster is a dazzling celebration of automotive engineering, but Musk and Tesla are are focused beyond cars.
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.
Democratic Senate candidates swamp GOP rivals in fundraising: From the Politics Desk
Plus, tensions boil over on the debate stage.
Archaeologists discover the oldest dwelling in the Western Hemisphere at a 13,800-year-old site in Alaska
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient base camp in Alaska that has evidence of the oldest dwelling and possibly the earliest domesticated dogs in the Americas.
Community invited to 5th annual Night of the Living Health Fair
The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23 at RHI’s Anna health center.
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.
Headspace Issues Layoffs Following Sword Health Acquisition
It has been a little over two weeks since Sword Health's acquisition of the San Francisco-based digital therapy and psychiatry company Headspace officialy
Headspace Issues Layoffs Following Sword Health Acquisition
It has been a little over two weeks since Sword Health's acquisition of the San Francisco-based digital therapy and psychiatry company Headspace officialy
Why Red Bull Got Into the Ski Business—And Teamed Up with an Austrian Racing Legend to Do It
Red Bull teamed up with an Austrian racing legend to manufacture skis, and it’s the mashup we’ve all been waiting for
Yankees Named Top Landing Spot For Tarik Skubal Entering Offseason
The New York Yankees could look to make a big splash this offseason.
A mom asked for a free business-class upgrade for her kid. The flight attendant had the perfect comeback
Reddit users cringed, but it took a true professional to nail the response.
Winona Health holding memorial ceremony for infant loss
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Lions Sixth-Rounder Gill-Howard: ‘I Belong in This League’
One Division II offer out of high school, and Skyler Gill-Howard is now in the Lions' rotation. #OnePride
Newport Healthcare Brings Back CEO, Lays Off Staff
Newport Healthcare’s CEO office is turning over at the same time it institutes additional layoffs and facility closures to again shrink its national
Hyundai recalls more than 94,000 vehicles over fire risk
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports Hyundai is recalling more than 94,000 Genesis G80 and Hyundai Genesis sedans over a fire risk.
Students explore careers from health care to skilled trades at Career Connect
Wood County Christian School swapped its traditional college and career fair for face-to-face conversations this year, launching a Career Connect panel that brought local professionals to the gymnasium Friday.
Phoenix mental health clinic hosts event to connect families with care
Aurora Behavioral Health hosted its first-ever Connect Fest at its location near 59th Avenue and Peoria Avenue.
New RPG From Final Fantasy, Persona Vets Borrows From The Past To Ask How We Can Save The Future
Eternal Anima finds surprising strategic depth in letting you foresee your opponent's next move
Building the Business Beat from the Ground Up
With the U.S. economy facing the most complex and fast-changing environment in recent history, the business beat has never been more vital in newsrooms tasked with distilling a constellation of forces for local communities. Costly tariff policies, labor crises tied to immigration enforcement, and breaks in the global supply chain are testing both local businesses...Read More
"It's a Business Trip" | DeMeco Ryans Ahead of Texans vs. Jaguars
Ryans meets with the media in London ahead of Texans vs. Jaguars and explains how the team responded after travel issues delayed the trip overseas.
Trump asks Zacharia to reconsider White House press secretary role
President Donald Trump has told press secretary Katie Zacharia to reconsider her role as his top spokesperson, he told reporters at the White House.
Galaxy S27 reportedly skips Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 due to overheating
According to a new report, Samsung’s Galaxy S27 series might not use the latest Snapdragon chipset due to overheating problems....
World time to drop the leap second from May 2027
Global timekeepers have voted to end the practice of adding extra seconds to UTC, citing risks to computer systems and the prospect of the first-ever negative leap second.
Candace Cameron Bure reveals “The View” asked her to return — and why she declined (exclusive)
“I don’t know that I really want to do it,” Bure tells EW.
Candace Cameron Bure declined to return to ‘The View’ for season 30
Candace Cameron Bure says ‘The View’ asked her to return for season 30, with the ‘Full House’ and ‘Special Forces’ star explaining to EW why she declined.
WDBJ7+ Hometown Health Special: October 2026
WDBJ7+ Hometown Health Special: October 2026
Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon Ducks vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon vs. Nebraska, including final score picks, players of the game, and key matchup predictions.
Mike Rogers: Media Q&A at Detroit business luncheon
Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers joined the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16, and took questions from the media before the event.
“Musk” distributor Bleecker Street acquired by Outerlight Entertainment
Outerlight Entertainment, previously First Look Entertainment, has acquired indie studio Bleecker Street Media, fresh from its release of Alex Gibney’s new documentary, Musk, on Friday (October 16). Financial terms of ...
Blue shift: Yet another political forecaster shifts CD 25 race in Jared Moskowitz’s favor
‘The race doesn’t appear to have tightened, so we’re shifting it.’
Mental Health Awareness Week
Steve Carleton, Chief Clinical Officer with Porch Light Health joins us in studio to talk about Mental Health Awareness Week.
Red Bull New York Debuts New, Lower Prices on Fan Favorites at Sports Illustrated Stadium
Matchday just got better. Red Bull New York are always looking for ways to improve the experience at Sports Illustrated Stadium, and fan input is a big part of that. The latest step: lower prices on six fan-favorites, starting with the Saturday, October 17 match vs. Toronto FC. Crispy Fries
John Mills urges Washington football OL to keep pushing forward
After struggling through the first half of the season, John Mills has urged Washington's offensive line to keep pushing forward.
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.
The best Amazon deals this weekend: Score big brands like Yeti, Lego, Apple and more for up to 70% off
We found fabulous fall discounts on everything from kitchenware and vacuums to holiday gifts, headphones, skin care and more.
Billy Joel says he can no longer perform or drive due to health condition
Billy Joel, 77, said he has a condition called hydrocephalus that has affected his balance. (Source: AP Images, Canva, DCC Gray News)
Billy Joel says he can no longer perform or drive due to health condition
Billy Joel, 77, said he has a condition called hydrocephalus that has affected his balance. (Source: AP Images, Canva, DCC Gray News)
Billy Joel says he can no longer perform or drive due to health condition
Billy Joel, 77, said he has a condition called hydrocephalus that has affected his balance. (Source: AP Images, Canva, DCC Gray News)
A Time For Science to host STEM Expo
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A local science museum will host a STEM Expo this month. A Time For Science invites the community to interact, ask questions, and dive into the world of STEM with ed…
Health officials warn mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed on Gulf Coast
IN-DEPTH WITH SARAH WALL: A warning from health officials about several mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed on the Gulf Coast: We're taking a look at what these illnesses are, where they are being reported and what's being done to stop the spread.
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.”
Award-winning Business Husky Believes Success Is Something You Pass Along
Michigan Tech senior Jim Brisson's work to help students connect with business professionals, industries and the accounting community has earned him the 2026 Campus Influencer of the Year award from the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. He'll be recognized at MICPA's Celebrate Awards event on Nov. 11 in Detroit.
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!
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.
Skubal Refused to Discuss Future After Dodgers Elimination
After a stunning NLCS sweep, Tarik Skubal faces a high-stakes free agency that could shatter records and ignite a bidding war between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
Starlink a 'major card' for Ukraine, sudden speed limits show risk
The recent disruption of Ukraine's military-grade Starlink service has spotlighted the risks, as well as efforts to diversify communications options.
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.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal plan to take another team photo including William Saliba after defender's omission
William Saliba was left out of Arsenals team photograph for the 2026/27 season earlier this week; Mikel Arteta explained it was taken because of commercial obligations despite defenders absence; club will retake image
Nebraska-Oregon Preview: Why the Huskers Must Win Early
Oregon’s quarterback uncertainty and vulnerable early-down defense give Nebraska a path to bowl eligibility and a defining win under Matt Rhule.
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
Alabama Department of Public Health discusses measles
Alabama Department of Public Health discusses measles
Opinion: Before you vote for Chicago’s school board, ask candidates these four questions
Voters deserve to know how each candidate for the Board of Education would actually govern, say two Chicago-area professors.
What's happening at the Waunakee Public Library
Circulation desk—608-849-4217 waupl@waupl.org
Christine Drazan says she’s her own person, but will it matter?
When asked if she’s MAGA, the Republican standard bearer in Oregon said she’s an Oregon Republican and her own person regardless of who’s in the White House.
Can States Still Protect Public Health? The Risk of a Climate Regulatory Vacuum - Petrie-Flom Center
On Oct. 5, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that has the potential to greatly impact state and local municipalities’ ability to fight widespread threats to public and environmental health.