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Can Sacramento become a chip hub? Business leaders make their pitch to global firms
Energized by a string of investments by semiconductor firms, business officials pitched the region to a group of global companies.
AI midwife seeks to fill gaps in Zimbabwe's maternal health care
With public health services stretched thin, women in Zimbabwe sometimes struggle to access reliable information about pregnancy and childbirth. A locally developed app aims to answer their questions…
Keri Russell on politics, escapism and 'Diplomat' twists she literally forgot
Spoiler alert! The following contains spoilers for Season 4 of "The Diplomat" on Netflix."
Big Tech’s enabling of the ballroom is the worst symbol of our times
The wealthiest companies since the robber baron days -- like Microsoft and Amazon -- greased the skids for an authoritarian vanity project the public doesn't want.
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.
Darren Soto laps Dan Green in CD 9, even with Republican's $700K in self-funding
But every election prognosticator till sees the incumbent at a disadvantage thanks to Florida's new congressional map.
Global survey links financial hardship to lower trust in science
Poor access to health care, limited local influence over research priorities and an unequal distribution of scientific benefits are undermining public confidence in science, experts warn, following the ...
Weekend reads: Computer science conferences impose caps; Lancet strikes to continue; Is this the ‘mathocalypse’?
If your week flew by — we know ours did — catch up here with what you might have missed. The week at Retraction Watch featured: A company named Springer that isn’t the publisher is offering authors…
A week with no end of outrages
Colorado Inside Out panelist Jon Caldara rounds up a week of political controversies, election mishaps, education scandals and national outrages, arguing that public accountability remains in short supply across Colorado and beyond.
Trump faults aides as Republican midterm prospects dim
By Nandita Bose, Bo Erickson and Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is blaming senior aides and political operatives for a faltering midterm strategy, questioning
Meet the manly men who want to remake the Democratic Party
Candidates posting thirst traps, calling opponents betas and ripping bench presses: This is the strange new world of campaigning as a Democratic man.
I suspected cancer lurked in my body. I hoped this test would ease my fears.
The FDA is expected to approve a new kind of blood test that may allow earlier diagnosis and less invasive, more effective treatment. But doctors warn of drawbacks.
Why is a New York-based betting site donating to Idaho politicians?
A donation doesn’t necessarily buy a vote, a Boise State political science professor said. But it “gets you a foot in the door.”
Several Petah Tikva synagogues refuse to host Smotrich, cite objections to politics during services
Some congregants argued that withdrawing the invitation after it had already been extended and publicly announced would be inappropriate, particularly since the synagogue had hosted other speakers.
Texas' gerrymandered congressional map might come up short for GOP
Texas Republicans redrew congressional maps to add five more GOP seats at President Trump's request, but they aren't likely to pick up that many.
The Politics of Public Execution
State violence has been largely embraced by the right. Pete Hegseth wants to broadcast it.
Two weeks from Election Day, Texas Republicans start finger-pointing ahead of potential losses
Deep divisions within the party afflict Texas Republicans as they move into the midterms.
I’m going viral again in Brazil. It must be election season.
I received free emergency medical care in Brazil. Brazilian President Lula and the influencers won’t let me forget it.
Have a passion for collecting? You, too, can create a ‘pocket museum.’
But a pocket, or micro, museum is not just a bunch of objects. You need to have a story.
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.
U.S. campaign finance watchdog is sitting out the midterms. Here’s what that means.
The Federal Election Commission has been unable to advise campaigns or investigate alleged violations.
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.
Landmark China trial achieves 84% efficacy treating cancer with waste water tech
Nano-carbon iron injection halts tumour growth in 16 patients, induces shrinkage in two, with Phase II trial now under way with 52 others.
Jeffrey Archer: the politician and novelist jailed for perjury
Lord Archer defied convention – and the law – to cement a place as an unsinkable figure in British public life
Young Entrepreneurs Get Their Earliest Business Experiences in Northeast Ohio Schools
Forget the hypothetical business plan. At schools across Northeast Ohio, students are making products, finding customers and learning what it costs to be wrong.
BIA's 113th annual dinner and awards celebration
Bruce Berke, Donnalee Lozeau and Bring Back the Trades were honored at BIA’s 113th annual dinner for their contributions to New Hampshire.
Television Q&A: When will 'The Rookie' be back on patrol?
ABC’s “The Rookie” is set to return for a ninth season in 2027, likely in January, alongside new spinoff “The Rookie: North.”
Third rabid bat found in Pasadena prompts Public Health warning
The infected bat was located on Sunday on East Green Street between South Marengo and South Euclid Avenues, according to the Pasadena Public Health Department.
Springfield public health pioneer Fred Swan honored with lifetime achievement award
A longtime Springfield public health leader is being recognized for decades of service to the community.
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.
‘No death should be fodder for public entertainment’ - Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson issues statement on the initial intention of the live broadcast of the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan
UCC General Minister and President, Karen Georgia Thompson issues a statement following Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's announcement that Nidal Malik Hasan's execution would be broadcast live.
‘Hot economics, cold politics’: why China gave nod for expanded Japanese trade trip
Allowing more executives to visit Beijing shows that China aims to use economic leverage to pressure Tokyo, experts say.
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.
Spokane approves new public safety sales tax as business owner calls for more accountability
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
State, county, local officials discuss issues at Southern Butler County Business Association roundtable
CRANBERRY TWP — State legislators, county commissioners and other local officials voiced their opinions on a variety of topics Friday at a legislative roundtable discussion hosted by the Southern Butl...
Politics Unusual: Governors debate discussion, ballet props
In this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay sits down with politics strategists to discuss the recent New York gubernatorial debate between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman. Also, a conversation with the executive director of Citizens Union about the five ballot propositions.
Some hope to see lawmakers create AI framework for education
Could Senate Republicans prevent Senate Democrats from achieving a veto-proof majority in the upper chamber this election?
OPINON: A vote for progress over politics
As the father of four young children the Talbot County Public School system, I am a strong supporter of public schools. I’d love to see all schools succeed, because at
Final plans for Trump’s arch appear to abandon his ‘military complex’ idea
Newly posted documents make no mention of drones, snipers or other military features announced by the president. A White House official disputed that plans had changed.
Briefing Recap | What the midterms could change about U.S. health care
An election lookahead at what’s at stake for health policy
Mission 43 is hosting a Military Business Market to support local veterans
This Saturday, the public is invited out to the Military Business Market at the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse to shop local while supporting veterans and active duty service members.
Trump rallies with top Republicans in critical battleground state of Georgia
Donald Trump flew to Georgia to campaign with Republican candidates for the Senate and governor. Senate candidate Mike Collins faces Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson is taking
Manny Rutinel smashes Colorado House race fundraising record in 8th CD
Democratic congressional candidate Manny Rutinel raised more than $4.2 million in the most recent quarter in his bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans in Colorado’s most competitive U.S. House race, hauling in more than twice as much as Evans and setting a new state record. Across the board, the state’s Democratic nominees outraised […]
New details emerge in US probe of Chinese-American scientists over China ties
House committee on China releases results of investigations into some 30 scientists as chairman pushes for stricter research security rules.
Political insiders break down N.Y. gubernatorial debate
Republican Bruce Blakeman and incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul faced off in their only debate of the election cycle right here on Spectrum News 1.
Central District Health has $250K to fight Ada County rats. Here’s where it’s going
The health district is making money available to help homeowners combat rat infestations. Does your household qualify?
Layth Mula-Hussain: Announcing the First Issue of OncoIntelligence Journal!
Layth Mula-Hussain: Announcing the First Issue of OncoIntelligence Journal! / AI, cancer, Cancer research, Layth Mula-Hussain, OncoIntelligence Journal,
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan Varadhan Oct 16 (Reuters) - A meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan VaradhanA meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of the latest science on the warming planet, the IPCC said on Friday.The impasse over the timeline, which has lasted near…
Staff Turnover and Missing Funds: A Tumultuous Week at Trump’s White House
With just over two weeks remaining before the midterm elections, things inside the White House are turbulent. Even though President Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot, he is top of mind for many as they head to the polls. Republicans across the country are already working to persuade voters not to ...
A Look at the Computer Science Degree in 2026
In 2018, a student published an article in this paper titled “YC’s Computer Science Major is on the Rise.” His piece proved prescient for the next four years, as enrollment in Intro to Computer Science continued to increase, indicating a growing interest in the field. Enrollment in this introductory course in Yeshiva College reached an […]
Jennifer Balkcom looks to continue her growth in public service
Balkcom is a mortgage loan officer and a two-term state representative in the North Carolina House.
Barbara Bush's latest political move backs James Talarico's U.S. Senate bid
Barbara Bush gave $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC, which supports Democrat James Talarico in his U.S. Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton.
Commentary: Election outreach is public service, not politics
In response to concerns of advertising at a local sports event, the Charleston County Board of Elections explains their efforts to serve the public. Politics stay out of it.
Some GOP politics before Nov. 3 election in Sullivan
Republican politics came into the Sullivan County Commission meeting Thursday
Heart surgeons now earn more than $1 million per year
Cardiac surgeon compensation is up 11%, according to new survey data from MedAxiom and the American College of Cardiology. Vascular surgeons experienced an increase in pay as well, but it was much smaller.
Sister Monica Heeran, longtime PeaceHealth leader and Northwest healthcare pioneer, dies at 95
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — PeaceHealth mourns the passing of Sister Monica Heeran, a visionary leader who rose through the ranks of Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene and would shape healthcare throughout the Northwest and beyond.Sr. Monica died Oct. 9 at St. Mary on the Lake in Bellevue, Wash. She was 95.She boldly led PeaceHealth through a period of great innovation, guided by her faith, compassion and generosity toward those in need.
Top Global Climate Science Body Meet Ends Without Deal on Review Timeline
By Sudarshan Varadhan and Kate Abnett Oct 16 (Reuters) - The meeting of the members of the world's leading authority on climate change ended on Friday without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of the latest science on the warming planet, four sources familiar with the ...
Top global climate science body meet ends without deal on review timeline
By Sudarshan Varadhan and Kate AbnettThe meeting of the members of the world's leading authority on climate change ended on Friday without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of the latest science on the warming planet, four sources familiar with the matter said.The meeting of rep…
WATCH: Maine Health Care Professionals Slam Collins’ Health Care Record
This week, Maine health care professionals gathered to slam Susan Collins for failing to protect Mainers’ health care. Dr. Nirav Shah and Maine State Nurses Association Co-President Erin Oberson called out Collins for advancing Trump’s Medicaid cuts and voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has eviscerated America’s public health system.
National 2D materials research hub names new director
Stephanie Law, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director and principal investigator of the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium-Materials Innovation Platform, a U.S. National Science Foundation-supported national user facility within Penn State’s Materials Research Institute.
Mayor Parker’s administration told Congress it doesn’t endorse Krasner and Bilal’s anti-ICE statements
In its report, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee portrayed Philadelphia as obstructive to ICE, saying that officials ignored 162 detainer requests between January 2024 and June 2026.
Talarico raises record $64M in Texas Senate race against Paxton
Democrat James Talarico scored record-breaking numbers in Q3, widening his fundraising lead in the Texas U.S. Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton.
Julien Boone Heads to ESMO 2026 to Explore Emerging Science in Oncology
Julien Boone Heads to ESMO 2026 to Explore Emerging Science in Oncology / cancer, cancer medicines, esmo 2026, European Society for Medical Oncology, Fanny
Mike Rogers discusses contentious Senate race at Detroit business luncheon
Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers joined the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16 in Detroit. He talked about the state of Michigan and the Senate race with FOX 2’s Roop Raj.
Scaling perinatal mental health care: Scientists assess home visiting programs in Midwest
Can reaching out to new mothers right at the outset of parenting set them on the right path? A new study published in BMC Health Services Research assesses home health visitation programs, which provide ...
Trump says press secretary Katie Zacharia should ‘reconsider’ her role
“Maybe it’s not for her,” President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday, saying that he would ultimately leave the decision to Zacharia.
Democrats are up in the polls. They’re sick to their stomachs.
Polls show Democrats with a clear path to controlling the House and maybe the Senate. But they have burned before.
Microplastics Have Been Linked With Myriad Human Health Problems. Scientists May Have Finally Figured Out How They Harm the Body
Lab experiments suggest that tiny bits of plastic can react with water inside us to produce highly reactive molecules. They can lead to damaging oxidative stress and inflammation
Microplastics Have Been Linked With Myriad Human Health Problems. Scientists May Have Finally Figured Out How They Harm the Body
Lab experiments suggest that tiny bits of plastic can react with water inside us to produce highly reactive molecules. They can lead to damaging oxidative stress and inflammation
Family Business Succession Planning Is About More Than Assets
Family business succession is about more than transferring assets. A meaningful legacy also reflects your values, strengths, sense of purpose and the example you leave for future generations.
Family Business Succession Planning Is About More Than Assets
Family business succession is about more than transferring assets. A meaningful legacy also reflects your values, strengths, sense of purpose and the example you leave for future generations.
Town of Wellsville: New business hours, Help Wanted: Union position for MEO Operator now open
From the Town of Wellsville, Starting November 2, 2026, the Town Board had decided new business hours for the Town of Wellsville Offices. PUBLIC NOTICE: CHANGE IN BUSINESS HOURS TOWN […]
Breast Health Day 2026: Why Early Detection Matters and Why Screening Cannot Wait
Breast Health Day 2026: Why Early Detection Matters and Why Screening Cannot Wait / Breast Cancer, breast cancer awareness, breast cancer awareness month,
Reaching peak fall color: The science of autumn's transformation
Ever wonder how every year nature transforms green leaves into a stunning array of colors?
Cook Political Report moves 11 more House races toward Democrats
The election prognosticator says more races are becoming competitive in traditional GOP strongholds because of voter frustration with the economy.
Trump wants the midterms to be all about him. Based on Democrats' ads, they are happy to oblige
Many of the Democrats' ads accuse Republican opponents of siding with the president over voters, particularly on issues like tariffs and the Iran war, which they blame for jacking up costs.
R.I. Health and Human Services head to replace Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals CEO
Revolving door? Richard Charest’s jump from government to industry raises ethics questions.
Billy Joel just gave an update on his health — there are two things he can’t do
‘It’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.’
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.
Heike Pfau receives 2026 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
Heike Pfau, assistant professor of physics at Penn State, has been honored with a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Jonathan Kuo receives 2026 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
Jonathan Kuo, assistant professor of chemistry, has been honored with a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed more than tripled the fundraising haul of his Republican challenger, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Online records show El-Sayed raised $30,659,157 in the reporting period from July 16 to Sept. 30, while Rogers brought in $9,662,538. Despite that, Rogers’ campaign maintains a nearly […]
Exclusive-US Strikes One-Year Deal to Fund Maternal and Newborn Health Donations in Poorest Countries
By Ammu Kannampilly, Jennifer Rigby and Victoire Mukenge NAIROBI/LONDON/NYANGEZI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The US government has struck a deal to continue supplying some of the world's poorest nations with free life-saving medication and equipment for mothers, infants and ...
Excitement mounts as new telescope nears first light
As the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope nears first observations, Cornell scientists are preparing groundbreaking surveys of the early universe, galaxy formation and dark matter.
Scandal, ICE Raids and Paxton’s Problems
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
Oklahoma City, OKCPS receive $11.5M for youth mental health
Oklahoma City and OKC Public Schools received $11.5 million in federal grants to expand youth mental health services and school-based support.
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.
Heather Baker Joins Forbes Business Council, Brings Arkansas Media Leadership to National Stage
AY Media Group President and Publisher Heather Baker joins Forbes Business Council, bringing nearly 30 years of publishing experience to a national platform.
Chris Murray challenges Palumbo with affordability, health care focus
Democrat Chris Murray has placed affordability, health care and environmental protection at the center of his campaign as he tries to unseat incumbent Republican state Sen. Anthony Palumbo. Mr. Murray — an attorney who was elected chairman of the Suffolk County Community College Board of Trustees in 2019 and has also chaired the Citizens Campaign...
Trump will rally Georgia Republicans despite party divisions in battleground state
President Donald Trump's midterm campaign blitz arrives in Georgia on Friday for a rally with top Republican candidates in a state that has long been the epicenter of the president's false claims about election fraud.
In immigrant-heavy Georgia city, Trump to test limits of his midterm message
The visit to Dalton is especially complicated for GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, who increasingly has emphasized his independence from the president.
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.
Pope Leo to make first appearance since cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV is set for his first public appearance since cancer surgery as doctors report steady improvement in his recovery.
Turn Calf Health Records Into Herd Improvements
There is a cycle of incomplete calf health records and limited veterinary feedback. Breaking it requires practical recordkeeping systems and a commitment to turning data into management decisions.
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.