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Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Put In Doubt Kingdom’s Sports and Business Events
The Iran-backed group’s attacks have disrupted sports tournaments and threatened business events that the kingdom has long used to attract investment and raise its profile.
Ocasio-Cortez Transfers $1 Million to Help El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race
The transfer represents an unusually large amount for a House member to give to a Senate race.
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.
Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Frisco King’ sets release date
FORT WORTH, Texas — Taylor Sheridan’s “Frisco King” will release in time for the holidays. Paramount+ announced Thursday that the Samuel L. Jackson-led series will premiere two episodes on Friday,
How Digital Entertainment Is Changing the Way People Spend Their Free Time
Digital entertainment has changed considerably over the past decade. Watching a game, following a favorite team, playing online games, and keeping up with sports discussions can all happen from the same device. What once required a television, a gaming console, or a trip out of the house can now fit into a few spare minutes […]
iPhone 18 Pro one month later: These features keep impressing me
I’ve had the iPhone 18 Pro for a month now, and during that time three main features have consistently impressed me.
Albania: Protesting students demand political change and resignation of longtime Prime Minister Edi Rama
Empty lecture halls, burning buildings and demands for change: Albanian students are spearheading a protest movement that has become the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama in years.
Tesla's new Roadster car can thrust itself in the air. Don't expect to drive it anytime soon
Thursday's launch arrived after years of delays and anticipation around the new Roadster — and Tesla shares climbed about 2% in morning trading on Friday after its unveiling.
Le Bus restaurant is closing
“I want to have more time for myself and for the bakery,” said David Braverman, who said he is healthy at 77 and wants to keep it that way.
NYC businesses hope for another boost from Knicks season
The Knicks begin their season as defending NBA champions for the first time since 1973.
‘Rocky Horror Show’ time warps into Rivertown Theaters
The original stage musical version of “The Rocky Horror Show” comes to Rivertown Theaters with extra late night shows and prop bags of things to throw.
Georgia amusement park to reopen as scheduled days after roller coaster death
Six Flags Over Georgia is expected to open for the first time since a man fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster. Authorities are investigating the death, which
Voting time short for MAMA Awards. Modesto prepares to celebrate its best in music
This marks the event’s 27th year celebrating local music and entertainment.
Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
De'Aaron Fox Reveals Key to Unlocking Spurs' Starting Lineup
For the first time this preseason, De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle all played together. The results were mixed, although the San Antonio Spurs are optimistic about unlocking the lineup.
Every Species Lives in Its Own Private Version of Time—and Yours Is Stranger Than You Realize
Humans and animals perceive the movements they see through a startlingly different lens.
Texas vs. Florida: How to watch, date, time, TV channel
Texas looks to rebound against Florida after a loss to Oklahoma dropped the Longhorns from the No. 1 spot in the national polls.
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
iPhone Duo pre-orders began today in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order on Apple's online store, however, wait times are longer now. The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time today will have their devices delivered on Friday, October 23. By just 5:20 a.m. Pacific Time though, select configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. are now showing delivery estimates into late December for new orders.
The uranium cubes that exposed Nazi Germany’s nuclear failure
Scientists investigating Nazi Germany's secret nuclear program have uncovered evidence that its final experimental reactor was nowhere near as close to working as previously claimed. Analysis of surviving uranium cubes and wartime documents reveals that Germany lacked the enormous quantities of uranium and heavy water needed to make its reactor operational.
Ken Kutaragi ‘understands’ why PlayStation fans don’t want to give up physical games
‘Father of PlayStation’ suggests game companies need to change sentiment around digital ownership…
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Could Be 8% Undervalued As Cash Flow Hopes Build
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) is back in focus after its recent share performance, with the stock closing at US$29.25. Investors are weighing this price against mixed return figures across different time frames. Short-term momentum for Caesars Entertainment has been soft, with the share price return down over the past month. However, the year-to-date share price return of 24.15% and 1-year total shareholder return of 34.61% contrast sharply with a 5-year total shareholder return that is still...
Alaska Senate candidates clash over the Iran war, high prices and their times in office
Sen. Dan Sullivan attacked former Rep. Mary Peltola over reporting on high staff turnover and lobbying, while Peltola pointed to Sullivan’s increase in wealth while serving the public.
‘Make America Great Again’ and ‘Socialism’: Orange District 7 ads tout national themes
Vargo said she’s never owned a MAGA hat. While she wouldn’t say if she voted for President Trump, she said she “had concerns the first time he ran.”
Health & Hardware: Injury Updates and Special Teams Solutions
Detroit navigates a devastating season-ending loss to special teams staple Tom Kennedy while leveraging a timely bye week to restore vital playmakers across a battered secondary.
Health & Hardware: Injury Updates and Special Teams Solutions
Detroit navigates a devastating season-ending loss to special teams staple Tom Kennedy while leveraging a timely bye week to restore vital playmakers across a battered secondary.
Shaikin: Questions about Shohei Ohtani's health, a salary cap and Mark Walter loom for Dodgers
Major League Baseball is heading toward a turbulent offseason. There are four major things the Dodgers must address if they want to get back to the top.
Ohtani's health, salary cap, Mark Walter loom large for Dodgers
Major League Baseball is heading toward a turbulent offseason. There are four major things the Dodgers must address if they want to get back to the top.
Regenerative Growers in Florida aim to improve soil for health of food, environment, consumers and workers
The broad set of practices is becoming more popular at a time when climate change is stressing the state’s land—and the people who work on it.
BTS' Grammy boycott spreads to K-pop's biggest agencies
The decision of BTS to boycott the Grammys amid the newly introduced Asian pop category appears to have grown into an industrywide stand, with arti...
Cook County Public Health encourages vaccinations as respiratory illness season approaches
As temperatures drop and residents spend more time indoors, Cook County Public Health and Human Services is reminding residents to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. Respiratory illnesses become more common during the colder months as people gather indoors, increasing opportunities for viruses to spread. “From a public health perspective, this is a good time to...
‘The Compass’ at UW-Madison asks audience to weigh thorny AI questions
The play at Mitchell Theatre, showing through Oct. 25, turns the audience into jury members in a criminal case that hinges on a teen’s use of AI.
Column: Mel's Drive-In is more than a building or a business
Mel's Drive-In is too essential to the identity of Route 66 to be torn down for the creation of 138 apartments.
Time is a-changin’: say goodbye to the leap second
Plans to retire it in 2035 are being expedited to prevent potential havoc on tech infrastructure.
It's time to reassess the size of our solar system, scientists say
The edge of our solar system may be defined not by a sharp boundary, but by a "complex dance among forces, energies and trajectories," two researchers argue.
Are you addicted to your phone? What scientists say about screen time and social media
Experts unpack the science of screen addiction and how to build a healthier relationship with technology
William Shatner, sci-fi’s favorite captain, says fact tops fiction
Shatner played Captain James T. Kirk on “Star Trek” for nearly 30 years. He’ll be in Madison for a Q&A and screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
IAMA Theatre Company's 'Bobby Robotowitz' tackles AI in your home
Amy Rosoff and James Luster star in IAMA Theatre Company's play with InHouse Theatre, 'Bobby Robotowitz,' directed by Casey Stangl and written by Matt Schatz.
Q&A with candidates for Leesburg Town Council and mayor
In Leesburg, the county’s largest town with a population of nearly 50,000, incumbent Mayor Kelly Burk, a resident of Crestwood Hamlet, is running unopposed for a sixth term.
Hiltzik: The politics of wealth taxes
The billionaires' attack on California's wealth tax initiative shows why it's needed.
Reitsma wants to be approachable to Wichita Falls constituents
Wichita Falls City Council District 5 candidate Heather Reitsma discussed her goals and her views on data centers.
'The Community Aspect of Decompilation Has Been Broken' - decomp.dev Closes in the Wake of AI-Based 'Bad Actors'
Fully Decompiled
$137 Million in A.I.-Generated Ads Flood the Midterms
Republicans have used A.I.-generated content more often than Democrats, ranging from subtle enhancements to convincing deepfakes.
Where to watch Sixers vs. Celtics today: Channel, live stream, time, TV schedule for NBA preseason game
Philly and Boston close out the preseason Friday night. Here's when and where to watch.
Evan Engram held to just 13 yards in prime time
Evan Engram caught just two passes for 13 yards in a Week 6 tilt with the Seahawks.
Denver Broncos 17-14 Seattle Seahawks (OT): Denver defense overpowers Sam Darnold and defending champions
Denver Broncos defense stifles Sam Darnold to win 17-14 in overtime; Darnold was sacked five times and threw two interceptions including a decisive pick in OT; Broncos move to 4-2 and defending champions fall to 3-3
Eagles Select Standout SEC Defender In 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Approaching the midway mark of October, it’s starting to become mock draft season in the NFL world. Since the Philadelphia Eagles are potentially just a few more losses away from reaching a selling point, it seems like the perfect time to glance at some potential additions from the rookie pool. In Pro Football Focus’s first […] The post Eagles Select Standout SEC Defender In 2027 NFL Mock Draft appeared first on HEAVY.
Mazzulla’s group is ahead of schedule
Preseason overreaction’s are dumb — most of the time. But the Celtics have earned it.
Where to watch World Gymnastics Championships 2026: Schedule, times, channels, live streams for men, women
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual meet.
Most of Ken Paxton’s Money Can Be Traced to One Man: Elon Musk
The world’s richest person, who has become the biggest known midterm donor, gave $158 million to a group that quickly spent that much to help Mr. Paxton’s Senate bid in Texas.
Broncos top Super Bowl champion Seahawks in overtime
Wil Lutz booted the game-winning field goal in overtime as the Denver Broncos capitalized on a late interception to beat the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 17-14 on Thursday.Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, stymied all night by the Broncos defense and sacked five times, was picked off by Ja'Quan McMillian on the first possession of the extra session to set up the game-winning field goal.
Eternal Anima interview with producer Makoto Shioda and development director Katsuhisa Higuchi – Future Sight Battles, time travel, and more
Gematsu recently sat down with Eternal Anima producer Makoto Shioda and development director Katsuhisa Higuchi to discuss Marvelous’ newly announced turn-based RPG. Topics discussed include t…
Rx for Virginians’ health, one grocery bag at a time
The Trump administration’s cuts to SNAP are sending an estimated 130,000 vulnerable Virginians off the food subsidy program. A network of nearly 100 food pharmacies in Virginia is struggling to fill the gap – and provide families with healthy produce and food.
Isaias Dims the Gulf Coast
High-definition images of nighttime lights show where the hurricane knocked out power along the Florida Panhandle and how quickly the lights came back.
Trump ally leaves the State Department
Zampolli, who is said to have introduced Trump to his wife, Melania, is the second person in Trump’s orbit to leave the diplomatic service this week.
Health officials in Illinois say it is time to get your flu shot
Flu season is here, and health officials say now is the time to get your flu shot if you haven’t already.
Brewers complete Dodgers sweep to reach World Series
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday to reach baseball's World Series for the first time in 44 years after completing a 4-0 series sweep of the star-studded defending champions. The Brewers, who last reached the World Series in 1982, will face either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays in baseball's championship series.
Hollywood Casino hosts inaugural Maine Science Awards
Honorees were recognized in five categories: Lifetime Achievement, Innovation, Impact, Surprising Science, and Advancing Trust in Science.
In Michigan Senate Race, Ocasio-Cortez Joins El-Sayed on Trail in Trump Country
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in a swath of Michigan including areas won by President Trump, making a progressive pitch in a key Senate race.
Comic Con cosplayers weigh in on politics
'Jesse Watters Primetime' hits New York Comic Con to get colorful cosplayers' unfiltered takes on politics and the latest headlines.
5 Takeaways From the Senate Debate in Maine
The race’s fourth and final debate centered around whether Senator Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, was as independent as she claimed to be from President Trump.
John Goodman reflects on ‘bad time’ he had adjusting to “Roseanne ”fame: ‘I was frightened’
“I wish I would’ve taken to it better. I didn’t,” he said.
Elon Musk reveals a flying futuristic Tesla Roadster supercar
The revised Tesla Roadster has been a long time coming, with Elon Musk first showing off an earlier version back in November 2017.
Trump Ally, Paolo Zampolli, Leaves State Department
Paolo Zampolli, a close friend and ally of President Trump’s, gained attention when his ex-wife was detained by ICE after his request.
Press secretary Katie Zacharia admits to failing the bar
Zacharia said she was "incredibly distracted and overwhelmed" at the time.
New tax proposal raises concerns with business owners in Downtown Merriam
Merriam is proposing a new sales tax to help fund downtown redevelopment and flood protection, but some longtime business owners worry the plans could threaten historic buildings and force them to close.
American Home Furniture and Mattress going out of business
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A longtime New Mexico furniture store said they are going out of business. American Home Furniture and Mattress revealed the news in a Facebook post on Thursday. Earlier …
The Kelly Clarkson bird saga continues. Molly is worth $15 million
Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play of disrespecting her and denying her the sale of a hand-cranked singing automata bird. Store owners set a new $15 million price tag following social media frenzy.
Meet the 19-year-old ASU student running for Maricopa County office
At a time when many young people have become disillusioned with politics, Matta is hoping his candidacy inspires them to get involved.
A quantum highway just one atom high could transform superconductors
Scientists discovered that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors, making them move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another. This remarkable control over quantum motion could lead to a new generation of ultra-efficient superconducting electronics.
The PAIME Program: How Doctors Can Access Mental Health Care
Spain’s PAIME program offers confidential mental health and addiction care to physicians, while supporting recovery and helping to protect patient safety.
Is time speeding up? Here's what science says
Why did summers feel endless as a kid, but now entire years seem to vanish? Does time actually speed up as we get older – or does it just feel that way? Conspiracy theorists suggest things like...
How U.S. Support to Ukraine Has Evolved Under Trump
President Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine has raised questions about the future of U.S. support.
A day after Netflix's major layoffs, Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria leaves
Netflix on Thursday said its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company and named former Disney executive Peter Rice as her replacement.
Corn Mazes to Comedy: Wisconsin Science Festival Brings Science to Everyone
You don’t need a lab coat to appreciate science. Sometimes all you need is a corn maze, a curious mind
Last Call for 10.15.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics
A digest of the day's politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
Billy Joel Shares Health Update as He Prepares to Auction Off His Beloved Motorcycle Collection: ‘I’m Not Allowed to Drive’
Further, "The neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion," Joel shared in a new interview.
Comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa is wondering what comes next
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa turns his immigrant experience and anger into comedy. Now, with that pressure easing, he’s wondering what comes next.
Lawsuit alleges mental health failures before Montpelier couple allegedly slain by son
The lawsuit says WCMHS workers were notified multiple times that Matthew Gomes was in a mental health crisis.
Business Profile: Longtime manager takes ownership of Christine’s Nails
Christine’s Nails has been serving Hopkinton residents since 2012 and now has a new owner. Longtime manager Brian Tran purchased the business last May.
Demetrious Johnson Calls the UFC ‘Hypocrites’ Over Recent Cuts
UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson called the world’s leading MMA promotion “hypocrites” over their recent roster cuts.In the past month, the UFC has let go of Michael Page, who was 5-1 in the UFC, and Farid Basharat, who was 7-0 inside the Octagon.UFC president Dana White briefly commented on Page’s release at the time, […] The post Demetrious Johnson Calls the UFC ‘Hypocrites’ Over Recent Cuts appeared first on HEAVY.
Senators Demand Investigation Into Ukraine Satellite Disruption
Republicans joined Democrats in calling on the Pentagon’s inspector general to look into whether the Trump administration was responsible for the interruption.
Aaron Judge’s comments ‘slightly to somewhat annoyed’ Yankees brass
Sometimes the truth hurts and Yankees brass couldn't handle it.
Report: Cancelled “Assassin’s Creed Destiny” Unveiled in First Screenshots & Gameplay Footage
The Assassin’s Creed series is still on course to return to China for the first time since its modest 2.5D spin-off in 2015, now with the mobile-exclusive title Assassin’s Creed…
Thursday Night Football live updates: TV channel, start time, where to watch Broncos vs Seahawks
The Broncos and Bo Nix look to get their offense rolling against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks on "Thursday Night Football."
6 books that speak to the enduring appeal of monsters
These books explore our enduring fascination with monsters in new and surprising ways, from fresh takes on vampire tales to a bestiary that spans time and worlds.
The WET Science Center’s fall lineup brings the outdoors inside
With rain in the forecast and cooler temperatures, it’s time to find affordable ways to have fun inside. The WET Science Center is ready to help! Most middle schoolers in …
IP Saves the Day On Streaming
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Before we get started, I wanted to highlight a new idea I saw from Real Good AI, proposing a ratings system for AI use. (H/T to Anthony Kaufman’s article highlighting this.) It would look something like this: In general, I think that this is a solid, middle-ground solution that should appease both the pro-AI camp (who love AI) and the anti-AI camp (who wants to know if what they’re watching didn’t come from humans). Regardless of your feelings on AI/LLMs—I’ll never use it for my writing—transparency is often the best solution to many problems. In general, I think way more media outlets need to be using way more AI disclosures. My quick “Yes and...” to this idea: what about ads? In particular, I hate it when I see or hear ads that are obviously AI-generated, but a person or voice says, “I used this product”. AI doesn’t use products! Just today, I watched a YouTube ad where a “person” said they use some sort of rain wind chime...but that’s not a real person! They didn’t use this product. (Especially since the video of the wind chime itself also appeared to be AI-generated...) I believe most traditional advertising already has standards like this anyway.1 Okay, on to this week’s issue. We’re covering the week of 14-Sep, and then next issue, I’ll be fully caught up with Nielsen’s new release schedule. In the future, I plan to put out Streaming Ratings Reports each Monday after Nielsen’s Thursday releases. Overall, we had some big new shows this week, like Prime Video’s Reacher spinoff_, Neagley_, which is off to a big, big start, and Netflix’s latest in its Monster anthology, which is their largest opening since June and the second-largest since One Piece came out in March. All that, plus Slow Horses returns, the trio of returning shows (Lioness, Reacher and Ted Lasso) continue to dominate the top tens, Paramount+’s latest crime drama, a big whiff for a Netflix original film and a precipitous drop for Netflix film charts, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 14th to September 20th 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Television - IP For the TV Win Can I use the dirty word of entertainment journalism right now? IP. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone I said it. But IP works at the box office, and we’ve seen some evidence it works in TV too. Not as well, and not all the time—no absolutes here!—but often enough. And glancing at the Nielsen top ten…it worked this week! Take Prime Video, who has a monster hit in the crime drama Reacher. Would a spinoff work for that show? Yep! They binge-released Neagley, about a detective from the original Reacher series, and its eight episodes debuted to 29.6 million hours. Here’s how it stacks up to Reacher, one of Prime Video’s biggest shows: That’s great. Nearly as strong as Reacher’s opening! (Both shows started with eight, binge-released episodes, so this comparison is apples-to-apples.) Notably, Prime Video scheduled the debut of Neagley to overlap with Reacher’s most recent season, to help drive tune-in. Obviously, I love smart release strategies like that. And even though I wrote “obviously”, it’s not really that obvious, since streamers don’t often take advantage of natural overlaps like this_._2 Other data backs how well Neagley performed. It opened at second place on Samba TV for two weeks and got 51.7 million hours on Luminate. That’s the eleventh biggest opening on Luminate since May of 2024 and tied with Bridgerton’s third season opening. That’s a huge opening! Its IMDb is solid too, a 7.7 on 24K reviews. Netflix’s latest edition in the “Monster” series—which started with Jeffrey Dahmer and comes from Ryan Murphy—did well too, opening to 24.7 million hours. That’s the biggest opening for Netflix since I Will Find You in June, and second biggest since March. Unlike the Reacher series, this franchise is trending downward, though. The first Monster show—Dahmer - Monster—was giant. More than anything, I think this reflects that Netflix running out of extremely popular—if that’s the right word?—serial killers to feature. Still, the data says this is a very good opening. It made it to third place on Samba TV for two weeks. It also opened to 40.0 million hours on Luminate. That’s not quite as elite as Neagley, but still very, very strong. I’ll be honest: my priors coming into any given week are that IP works to help drive buzz for new shows, but TV shows need to stand on their own even more than movies, so they will succeed or fail based on their quality. But these two spinoffs definitely worked. Quick Notes on TV The top show, film or special this week? Football, again. Specifically, Prime Video’s season opener of Thursday Night Football. The games run long (three hours) but mainly a lot of people watch each game. That adds up to a lot of viewership. Paramount released the second season of MobLand on an unusual day for that service, a Friday! Often, they put their new shows out on a Sunday, as they did last year with a run of shows (Lioness, Tulsa King and Landman). MobLand didn’t make Nielsen in its first week, but on Samba TV it got to eighth and seventh place. Luminate had a smaller opening too, only 5.3 million hours. MobLand missed the Nielsen charts for its first eight weeks, so this season is off to a stronger start. (Bonus note: the first season streams on both Prime Video and The Roku Channel, but I only have it as Paramount+ on those charts.) I’ve mentioned a few times that foreign-language originals do lower numbers than English-language originals on Netflix most of the time. But I don’t usually emphasize what country those originals come from, and observationally, they tend to be from Western or Northern European countries, in general. So credit to Not a Stranger, a Turkish Netflix original, for breaking through on Luminate, getting to 7.9 million hours in its first full week on those charts. As I mentioned last issue, Crew Girl ended up making the Nielsen charts in its second week. That’s still a soft performance compared to many shows, but again this, one looks affordable. And if you’re curious, here’s how it stacks up to some other sports romance shows: We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… …about a new data source and how it drives streaming viewership… ...what reality show is struggling in its latest season…. ...what Netflix film bombed…. ...How Reacher, Ted Lasso, and Lioness are doing on the charts… ...what obscure sport put up great viewership numbers… …how far streaming films are falling… …all the flops, bombs and misses for the last week… …and more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Next week, we’ve got a double issue, then we’ll be all caught up with Nielsen’s data. Yes! The goal is to have my report out on the Monday after I get Nielsen’s data. So next issue, I’m looking at East of Eden, The Great British Baking Show, a Willy Wonka game show (that people are upset uses AI, but viewers might not care), and a Cosby show spinoff reboot on Netflix, and Brothers on Apple TV (starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey). That’s about it for TV, but who’s going to win the streaming week, The Breadwinner or Backrooms on streaming? Answer: Toy Story 5. Plus Netflix has a Unabomber film and a new Tyler Perry film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma tries to repeat The Substance’s run on MUBI, and Paramount+ has Jackass: Best and Last. Long term, Netflix is remaking Lonesome Dove. I love this choice, but man, there are a lot of westerns on TV right now. And they’re making Sega TV shows, including a Crazy Taxi TV show and Sonic show with an “edge”.
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California students post gains in math, science and English in 2025-26
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California students made gains across key academic and success measures during the 2025-26 school year, with test scores rising in English, math and science while the statewide graduation rate reached a record high of 87.9 percent. For the first time, the state released assessment results and California School Dashboard data together to give families and educators a more complete picture of student performance.English language arts scores increased 0.5 percentage points to 49.3 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced, while math scores rose 1.1 percentage points to 38.4 percent. Science showed the strongest improvement, jumping 3.3 percentage points to 36 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced.The statewide chronic absenteeism rate dropped 1.1 percentage points to 18.3 percent. The suspension rate declined to 2.8 percent, marking the third consecutive year of improvement."At a time when California continues to focus on accelerating learning and closing opportunity gaps, these results provide important evidence that our sustained investments are making a difference," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "The continued progress we are seeing is a testament to the hard work of students, families and educators across the state—and we will continue working to build on these gains."The percentage of students prepared for college and career increased to 55.2 percent, up 2 percentage points from the previous year. More than 54 percent of graduates completed coursework required for admission to University of California and California State University systems, an increase of 0.9 percentage points."California has made important strides in expanding student supports and opportunities, but the pace of academic improvement reminds us that our work is far from finished," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said.Eighth grade students posted the strongest score trends in both English language arts and math. Science performance improved across all tested grades, with the strongest gains at the high school level.African American students demonstrated larger-than-average improvements across English, math and science. Hispanic or Latino students showed larger-than-average improvements in English and math, with positive math score trends across all grades.Students who were socioeconomically disadvantaged made gains across all 3 subjects, including larger-than-average improvements in English and math. Students who were homeless continued to demonstrate gains across grades, with particularly strong improvements in math."We are encouraged to see students making gains across all 3 major assessments and are especially encouraged by the progress of African American students, Hispanic or Latino students, socioeconomically disadvantaged students and homeless youth," said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education.The progress comes as California's public school system undergoes significant demographic change. Statewide school enrollment declined to approximately 5.73 million students in 2025-26, nearly 500-thousand fewer students over the past decade.The number of students with disabilities increased approximately 25 percent over the same period, from about 680-thousand to more than 850-thousand students. Graduation rates increased across nearly all student groups, including notable increases for American Indian or Alaskan Native students at 4.3 percentage points and students with disabilities at 3.7 percentage points.In Downey Unified School District, the rate of students demonstrating proficient or advanced grade-level knowledge increased by 2.1 percentage points in English, 2.8 percentage points in math and 4.7 percentage points in science. The district aligned graduation requirements with college admission expectations and invested in inclusive special education practices, expanded career technical education and expanded learning opportunities."The gains Downey Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of years of focused, consistent work across the district," Superintendent Roger Brossmer said.In Exeter Unified School District, proficiency rates increased by 4.6 percentage points in English, 2.3 percentage points in math and 3.6 percentage points in science. The district placed a strong focus on phonics and the science of reading, particularly in kindergarten through second grade."The gains Exeter Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of having great people who are focused on the right work, and great students who want to do well," Superintendent Melanie Dorough said.Union Elementary School District saw proficiency rates increase by 1.5 percentage points in English, 2 percentage points in math and 4 percentage points in science. Teachers regularly analyze state and local assessment data to guide instruction, supported by strong core instruction and early literacy strategies."Union Elementary School District's achievement gains reflect a focused, data-driven approach to meeting the needs of every student while fostering a strong sense of belonging, safety and connection," Superintendent Carrie Andrews said.The California Department of Education is examining local results to better understand strategies and conditions associated with stronger student outcomes. The state has made significant investments in recent years, including literacy and math coaching, tutoring, expanded learning opportunities, community schools and universal transitional kindergarten.
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