SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " California " 4,836 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
How 800 Pound Gorilla became the biggest indie animal in comedy
800 Pound Gorilla marks 10 years of backing comedians including Jim Jefferies, Bill Burr, Nikki Glaser, Leanne Morgan, Patton Oswalt and Chad Daniels.
Christina Applegate misdiagnosed with MS: 'Really confusing'
Christina Applegate shares a new health update: She was misdiagnosed with MS. 'I'm just in a state of shock right now,' she says.
Eligible Small Business Customers to Receive October California Climate Credit
/PRNewswire/ -- Eligible small business customers across Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) service area will automatically receive a $36.18 California...
Eligible Small Business Customers to Receive October California Climate Credit
Eligible small business customers across Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) service area will automatically receive a $36.18 California Climate Credit on their October energy bill. No action is required to receive the credit.
USA TODAY Sports Super 10 California high school flag football rankings, Week 9
Here's how the state stacks up before the postseason takes hold this week.
'Unsolved Mysteries' ventures into a new realm: video podcasts
Over the course of nearly four decades, the celebrated show 'Unsolved Mysteries' has evolved amid the changes in the TV business.
'Office Space' star Richard Riehle dies at 78
Actor Richard Riehle arrives at the premiere of New Line Cinema's 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 2, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)Richard Riehle, known for his role in the 1999 film Office Space, has died. He was 78.A statement shared by Artists & Representatives and Wright Entertainment, Inc. announced Riehle's passing on Monday, writing, "Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man.""We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our beloved client, Richard Riehle, this past weekend," the statement said. "A remarkable actor whose career in theater, film, and television spanned nearly five decades and more than 400 projects, Richard leaves behind an extraordinary legacy."The statement continued, "Beyond his immense talent, he will be remembered for his genuine goodness, boundless kindness, and unwavering generosity, particularly toward emerging actors and filmmakers, whom he encouraged and supported at every opportunity."Born on May 12, 1948, Riehle starred in many television series and films over the years.Notable projects include Casino, The Man from Earth and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.He got his start as an actor at the University of Notre Dame, where he was involved in the University Theatre and starred in several stage productions. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in acting and directing from the University of Minnesota.While he's played characters that have an "average Joe" presence, he always made the most of his brief screen time.Some roles that he is remembered for include The Quartermaster in Glory, the train guard in The Fugitive, Reverend Scroggins in Fried Green Tomatoes and Bill Cozbi in Bridesmaids.On television, he starred as Principal Ed Rooney in the 1990 series Ferris Bueller and as grandfather Walt Finnerty in the early 2000s sitcom, Grounded For Life.In 2023, he also played Warden Reynolds in Barry.Riehle is survived by his wife, Jane Latham, and their four children.Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Biotech firm Colossal set to return extinct bird’s egg to New Zealand
The biotech firm trying to bring extinct species back to life, Colossal Biosciences Inc., will return an egg from the flightless moa to its native New Zealand.
CA immigration business seized over allegations of practicing law without a license
The State Bar of California raided the North American Immigration Center in Chino, calling it an unauthorized law firm
Trump’s attacks on California elections endanger democracy, repeating a pattern
Republicans questioned elections before reforms made redistricting nonpartisan. Now they accuse California of letting noncitizens vote.
This institute could get $4 billion from a ballot measure. With just three workers, is it ready?
If California voters approve it, Prop. 38 will direct $4 billion to one research institute. Only one institute currently qualifies for the money.
The Broad to move works to Paris and Leimert Park during construction
The Broad will display more than 160 works in a major exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris during its final phase of construction. It will also partner with Art + Practice in Leimert Park.
LACMA, Perrotin, the new Metro and now the Brick: Todd Gray is having a banner year
Todd Gray has a solo show opening at the Brick on Oct. 18 — the cap on a banner year including a LACMA commission, a solo show at Perrotin and a public art piece for the Wilshire/La Cienega station for the D line.
As Hollywood implodes, is success still possible for a striving actor?
Last year 34-year-old actor Katie Folger moved from Austin into a Silver Lake casita to pursue her acting dream. Now she's performing a one-woman show called "Getting in Bed With the Pizza Man" at Elysian Theater. But will the TV pilot sell?
Envelope Insiders Live: See stars of 'Furious,' 'Love Story' and more
The creatives behind 'Furious,' 'Love Story,' 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York' and 'Tenzing' joined us for a day of food, wine and great conversations. Take a look inside.
Nearly $1M in sports, Pokémon cards stolen from FedEx truck in California
The cards were swiped from a trading card authentication company. One collector said he was “absolutely financially destroyed.”
MTSU group selected for prestigious Berkeley Lab learning opportunity
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Five students from Middle Tennessee State University will travel to California this November for an immersive “mini-semester” at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, also known as Berkeley Lab. Nyah Bentley, Addison Berry, Tomy Chet, Sarah A. Holzmann, Gavin Liles and Gloria Silva will join groups from two other universities, Spelman College and the University of […]
Charli XCX brings 'Music, Fashion, Film' to the Kia Forum
The English pop star brought her tour behind this year's 'Music, Fashion, Film' to Inglewood's Kia Forum for two shows over the weekend.
Academy Museum Gala: 10 best-dressed stars on the red carpet
Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Jessica Biel and Teyana Taylor were among the best-dressed stars at the Academy Museum Gala.
Supreme Court may strike down school policies that limit Asian students
The court agreed to hear an appeal from parents in Montgomery County, Md., who were upset by a sharp drop in Asian students at its four magnet schools for gifted students.
Mamora’s magic: young musician casts spell with the piano
Pianist Jonathan Mamora is an Indonesian-American and native of Southern California who has studied at Juilliard and the Eastman School of Music. He has competed in numerous international piano competitions
DOJ Charges 28 California Residents With Voting-Related Crimes Amid Trump’s Voter Fraud Push
The effort by the Trump administration comes as it wages a broader fight with California officials over voter rolls.
High-end sports car spontaneously ignites in police storage after crash that killed OC influencer
The wreckage of a 2019 McLaren involved in the fatal crash that killed two people in Orange County spontaneously caught fire while in storage.
Netflix film chief Dan Lin is out as streamer shuffles executive ranks
Netflix's film chief Dan Lin has left the company after the streamer conducted massive layoffs.
This Week: Politics 101, 20th Street Bikeway, Muni Trivia
Here is a list of events this week. Monday/Tonight! SF Politics 101 with Joel Engardio. Learn how local politics shaped San Francisco. Monday/tonight, October 19, 5:30-6:45 p.m. SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission Street, S.F. Wednesday 20th Street Protected Bikeway Ribbon Cutting. The Oakland Department of Transportation, city officials, Bike East Bay and other community partners will celebrate the completion of the 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Urban Greenway. Wednesday, October 21, 1:30 p.m. 400 Thomas L Berkley Way, Oakland. Thursday 2026 Silver SPUR Awards. This SPUR event brings together elected officials and business, civic, and philanthropic leaders to celebrate four individuals and their contributions. Thursday, October 22, 4-7:30 p.m. Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard Street, S.F. Get tickets here. Friday Woman and Non-Binary Morning Ride. Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for a socially distanced bike ride for women and nonbinary cyclists. Friday, October 23, 7:15-8:45 a.m. McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan Street, S.F. Friday Muni Trivia Night. Bring your friends or come solo and make some new ones. Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. Standard Deviant Brewing, Pier 70, suite 195, 1070 Maryland Street, S.F. RSVP here. Saturday Fifth Annual Firefighter Family Ride. Join SFFD, SF Safe Routes to School, and the SF Bicycle Coalition for a fun, low-stress bike ride through one of the city’s most beautiful routes. Saturday, October 24, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Panhandle Park Blacktop (Fell & Ashbury) to JFK Promenade (Whale’s Tail). Sunday Canvas for No on Prop G. Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition to canvas for No on ‘G’ to save Sunset Dunes Park. Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Marina Blvd & Laguna Street, S.F. Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.
CIM hosts staff health, benefits fair
California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino recently hosted its annual Employee Health and Benefits Fair.
'Other Desert Cities' review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus debuts Broadway
A revival of Jon Robin Baitz's 'Other Desert Cities,' directed by John Benjamin Hickey, opens at Broadway's Hudson Theatre with a cast that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris and Allison Janney.
New murder trial ordered over juror's mental health crisis in 9th Circuit
A man's convictions for a killing on the waters off California's coast were vacated by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco on Thursday…
California's proposition 40 aims to fund health care via wealth tax
California's Proposition 40 proposes a one-time 5% tax on billionaires to fund Medi-Cal, schools and food assistance programs.
Alignment Health Plan and Astrana Health Partner to Expand Access to Trusted Local Care for California Seniors
New collaboration expands access to multilingual, community-based care across seven Northern and Southern California counties
More than 2 dozen charged in California sweep targeting noncitizen voters
The arrests also reflect a further escalation in a simmering voter roll fight
Justice Department charges more than 2 dozen in California sweep targeting noncitizen voters
Federal authorities are arresting more than two dozen foreign nationals in California who authorities said have illegally registered and voted in U.S. elections | KCBS All News 106.9FM and 740AM
Expert ‘bat wranglers’ put GPS trackers on California’s bats
These winged mammals can cover a lot of ground during their seasonal migrations.
New district lines will test if Lodi can help U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui fend off upstart Mai Vang
California's newly redrawn 7th congressional district pits the veteran congresswoman against a Sacramento City Councilmember.
Column: CEQA needs reform, but not like this
When does positive reform become negative regression?
VOTE: What is your biggest fall health question?
News4 NBC Reno covers news, sports, weather and traffic for the Reno, Nevada area including Sparks, Carson City, Virginia City, Silver City, Stagecoach, Silver Springs, Sun Valley, Cold Springs, Spanish Springs and Fenley, Nevada and Truckee and Tahoe City, California.
The Brockman Gallery is celebrated in new LACMA exhibition
The Brockman Gallery, founded by brothers Alonzo and Dale Brockman Davis after the Watts rebellion, became a community hub for multicultural experimentation in art. That legacy is explored in a new exhibition at LACMA.
Why Disney is courting creators to builder a deeper bond with fans
Disney is one of the many entertainment giants already investing big in the creator economy. Here's how it plans to scale its efforts.
'You Can See Everything' just become a major player in the Oscar race
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's experimental portrait of Elizabeth Holmes is the kind of phenomenon that even the pickiest awards voters will need to pay heed to.
The real reason it's going to take a while to know who won in some midterm races
Hint: It's not only because California counts slowly.
LIVE: Avenged Sevenfold at Brisbane Entertainment Centre -
18 October 2026 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - words by Lucas Bell - pictures by Isis Totora It’s been 4621 days since the California rockers Avenged Sevenfold have graced a stage in Brisbane. Off the back of Soundwave 2014, no one anticipated the second billed band of the festival would take over 12 years to
Endeavour Reservations Launch: California Science Center expansion debuts this November
Advance reservations for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, the permanent home of Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center, will be available beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21 ,
Newsom makes NH stop to support Democrats
California Gov. Newsom joined New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas on the campaign trail Saturday to rally volunteers and supporters across the Granite State.
Newsom announces mental health support for USS Abraham Lincoln sailors
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced expanded mental health support for Sailors and Marines returning to San Diego following a 321-day deployment on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Cindy Crawford breaks silence on death of son Presley Gerber
The supermodel and actress shared a heartfelt Instagram post about her son Presley Gerber who died at 27 last month. His death remains under investigation.
Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Ebola outbreak in Congo, the deadliest ever recorded in the country, has spread to an eighth province.
LA super-commuter Angelique Khieu catches a flight to work across California
A super commuter working in tech sales regularly travels by plane from Los Angeles to San Francisco just to get ready for work by 8:30 a.m.
Netflix reports box office numbers for first time with 'La Bola Negra'
Netflix reported box office figures for the first time this weekend, with its theatrical release of the Spanish-language queer drama, "La Bola Negra."
California gas prices remain high as global and local factors collide
California's high gas prices are being driven by a combination of global events and decades of state policies, according to Jodie Muller, the President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association.
Early ballots and how campaigns are using AI with Optiq Data Co-Founder Cole Patterson
Cole Patterson, co-founder of Optiq Data, shared his insight into how political campaigns in California are using artificial intelligence and provided a look at early ballot numbers ahead of the November election.
California Politics 360 full episode | California, US government clash over voter rolls
The Trump administration sued California election officials this week. They asked a judge to block the state from counting mail-in ballots from people the federal government has identified as “likely” non-citizens until their status can be confirmed.
Voter roll fight in California ramps up weeks before election
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli defended the Trump administration's lawsuit against California election officials, alleging that 20,000 non-citizens who are documented immigrants are registered to vote and have received mail-in ballots, just weeks before the upcoming election.
Malia Cohen explains why she should be reelected State Controller
California State Controller Malia Cohen is seeking reelection for an office that is responsible for the state's checkbook at a time when voters across the nation are focused on waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money.
Inside California Politics
(Inside California Politics) — This week on Inside California Politics, host Nikki Laurenzo speaks with State Senator Catherine Blakespear about Proposition 45, which would amend the California Env…
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
News4 NBC Reno covers news, sports, weather and traffic for the Reno, Nevada area including Sparks, Carson City, Virginia City, Silver City, Stagecoach, Silver Springs, Sun Valley, Cold Springs, Spanish Springs and Fenley, Nevada and Truckee and Tahoe City, California.
To fix California, make its politicians afraid to lose
The state has the nation’s largest homeless population and some of its most expensive housing — yet incumbents rarely pay a price. A slew of new parties is the answer.
Contributor: How much would Becerra's healthcare promises cost the state? Not even he knows
The Democratic candidate is campaigning on making California affordable. That's why the missing numbers matter.
'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.
Trump's immigration crackdown tests Republicans' hold on Texas voters
The race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is hotly contested and enormously expensive, with total ad spending topping $500 million.
Oregon's governor struggles for reelection despite blue tide
In Oregon, a progressive bastion, voter discontent has incumbent Tina Kotek on the defensive. Her struggle shows the perils of incumbency this angry election season.
House Speaker Mike Johnson draws on faith as he fights to hold the Republican majority
Speaker Mike Johnson says he believes Republicans will hold on to their House majority on election day and defy a surge of Democratic momentum in the final stretch of the midterm campaign
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
Uber driver struggles with gas costs in Southern California
Matthew Guerrero, an Uber driver in Southern California, discusses the financial challenges of driving, impacted by high gas costs and low tips.
Miley Cyrus makes a comeback of sorts at the Hollywood Bowl
The musician and actor played her first full headlining show in years Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl.
California's billionaire tax promises healthcare relief. The fine print is murkier
It’s unclear how much money Prop. 40 would raise, how quickly the funding would become available, and how lawmakers would spend it.
Newsom offers mental health support for USS Abraham Lincoln sailors
Sailors and Marines who recently returned from an extended deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were offered mental health services Saturday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Los Retros frontman Mauri Tapia charged with unlawful acts on a child
Mauri Tapia, frontman of SoCal indie rock act Los Retros, has been charged with four felony counts of unlawful acts with a child under 10.
Steve Hilton bets California is ready for something different in the governor's office
Steve Hilton is taking his campaign for governor across California, arguing for change in a state long dominated by Democrats.
Trump's decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen
President Trump’s abrupt decision to waive sanctions on Russia is drawing outrage and concern from members of Congress
Erika Lust discusses her new book 'Lust'
Erika Lust on her new book about sex, power and the internet. Plus, we visit an Echo Park bookstore.
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.
Microplastics and water create free radicals, new study finds
When water comes into contact with plastic surfaces, a key chemical reaction does take place, new research indicates.
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.
Week in Politics: Trump's Russian diesel deal update; why the DOJ is suing California
We look at where things are in the deal President Trump says he made to import Russian diesel, plus the reason why the Justice Department is suing California.
Rabies reports are rising in California. Experts can’t explain why
Rabies reports are up across the U.S., including in one greater Bay Area county where human exposures to rabid animals have tripled, prompting a local advisory to stay away from sick creatures.
Big assertions, sharp exchanges, little clarity define DOJ election battle with California
In the last week, Justice Department and California elections officials have been locked in a contentious standoff over alleged election fraud.
Mark Ruffalo calls Gavin Newsom's billionaire tax stance 'disqualifying' ahead of California vote
Mark Ruffalo slammed Gavin Newsom for opposing California's billionaire wealth tax, calling it "disqualifying" for anyone with ambitions for higher office.
California teachers once had fully paid health coverage. Now they're rallying over premiums
"While your income isn't changing, your purchasing power has absolutely fallen."
California Proposition 4 would allow public funding for political campaigns
California Prop. 4 would allow political campaigns to be publicly funded. Here's what to know.
Springville businesses fear festival losses amid SCE power shutoff
Southern California Edison power safety shutoffs left Springville businesses concerned about communication and potential losses.
Provo businesses hoping for tourism spike from Notre Dame-BYU football game
Irish fans exploring Provo's Center Street Friday afternoon said they had traveled from places like Connecticut, Ohio and California to catch the big game.
Sean Combs transferred to new prison after perks report, head injury
Sean Combs was transferred on Friday to FCI Allenwood, a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, following allegations of special prison perks and a head injury at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.
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.
Geese shred Hollywood Forever (and Dodger fan egos) at their three-night stand in L.A.
Cameron Winter had one last knife to twist for the Dodger faithful in the audience at Hollywood Forever on Thursday night.
Timothy Busfield child sex abuse charges thrown out, judge orders
A New Mexico judge tosses out the multiple child sex abuse charges that actor Timothy Busfield had been facing.
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.
Trump's team is in chaos as midterms enter final stretch
A White House that has enjoyed relative stability over the past two years has returned to a state of disarray that characterized much of Trump's early political career.
In 'Bucks County, USA,' a community torn apart by politics tries to heal
The five-part docuseries on PBS, co-directed by Robert May and Barry Levinson, aims to find common ground between community members in a purple county in Pennsylvania.
Billy Joel can't drive or perform following brain disorder diagnosis
Billy Joel shared health updates following his 2025 brain disorder diagnosis, stating that he has to take “a series of tests” before being able to tour and drive again.
David Surkamp dead: Pavlov's Dog lead singer was 74
Rock band Pavlov's Dog is mourning the loss of singer-songwriter and lead vocalist David Surkamp, who died Monday at age 74.
Kaley Cuoco welcomes 2nd daughter with Tom Pelphrey, reveals name
Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey attend the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Alliance for Health releases H.R. 1 predictions | The Pajaronian
About one in three people who rely on Santa Cruz County Alliance Medi-Cal—25,000 people—will lose benefits by the end of 2028, said Central California Alliance for Health CEO Michael Schrader.
Wildfires, heat waves and access to care among health-related problems facing Californians
The latest annual California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) offers a more precise look at how the 2025 wildfires affected Californians’ health and well-being. The data also reveal trends in the health of immigrants, low-income individuals, and transgender and gender-expansive communities. The 2025 CHIS data show: 500,000 more California adults said their mental health was harmed...
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.
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 […]
California falls short on Medi-Cal fraud, state report says
The program serves 14 million Californians and pays out $200 billion a year. State health officials dispute the findings.
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.
Big Tech and Big Business are spending millions to block progressives on the California ballot
Groups funded by Meta, Google, and cryptocurrency billionaires have spent millions trying to sway voters, especially in races with two Democrats on the ballot