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Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Is Arizona actually happy? How it ranked in new study

Is Arizona actually happy? How it ranked in new study

A new report ranked U.S. states using metrics tied to emotional and physical well-being, work environment, financial security and community life.
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FBI Warns Oklahomans of Bank Impersonation Scams Targeting Personal Information

FBI Warns Oklahomans of Bank Impersonation Scams Targeting Personal Information

The FBI is issuing a public warning regarding a sophisticated bank impersonation scam that has been targeting Oklahomans. This scam involves individuals receiving calls from numbers that appear to be legitimate banks, such as Chase Bank, even if they do not hold accounts with that institution. A Broken Arrow man, Kevin Barnett, reported receiving multiple such calls within a few weeks, with voicemails urging him to call back due to a 'red flag' on his account. The scammers typically inform victims of questionable purchases on their accounts and then insist on transferring them to an alleged 'FBI agent' who provides a fake name and badge number. This 'agent' then pressures the victim to divulge sensitive banking and personal information. The FBI emphasizes that they never operate in this manner, nor do they demand payment or personal details over the phone.
SB NationSB Nation
Getting to know Michigan’s opponent: UTEP

Getting to know Michigan’s opponent: UTEP

A look at UTEP ahead of their tilt versus Michigan.
TheStreetTheStreet
Credit Card fees are so annoying, Americans are going back to cash

Credit Card fees are so annoying, Americans are going back to cash

As more businesses tack surcharges onto credit card purchases, frustrated consumers are reaching for bills and coins again
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Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Seeks Bids for Statewide Mental Health Crisis Transportation

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Seeks Bids for Statewide Mental Health Crisis Transportation

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is soliciting bids to establish a reliable statewide transportation system for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. This initiative aims to connect these individuals with appropriate care, particularly in rural and remote areas where current transportation options are scarce or ill-equipped to handle such emergencies. Currently, transportation for mental health crises often falls to law enforcement or results in individuals remaining in emergency rooms, neither of which is ideal. Michelle Ponce of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas (ACMHCK) highlights the lack of reliable transportation for these situations across the state. The program is part of the broader Behavioral Health Services Program within the Kansas Rural Health Transportation Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. KDADS anticipates awarding a single statewide contract with a budget of nearly $2...
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Senators Booker and Espaillat Introduce Bill to Expand Mental Wellness Workforce in Underserved Communities

Senators Booker and Espaillat Introduce Bill to Expand Mental Wellness Workforce in Underserved Communities

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) have introduced new federal legislation, the Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act, aimed at bolstering the U.S. behavioral health system. This bill seeks to establish training programs and expand community-based behavioral health support, particularly in underserved communities. The legislation is a direct response to a decades-long shortage of licensed behavioral health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors, across the nation. The proposed mental wellness workers would not replace licensed professionals but would instead serve as integral members of diverse mental health teams. Their roles would include outreach, promoting mental health awareness, providing peer support, helping individuals navigate existing resources, identifying early symptoms, and making appropriate referrals. These workers could be employed in various community settings such as schools, primary care clinics, publ...
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CMS AI Prior Authorization Pilot Plagued by Delays and Technical Failures, Documents Reveal

CMS AI Prior Authorization Pilot Plagued by Delays and Technical Failures, Documents Reveal

Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reveal widespread issues in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, an AI-powered prior authorization program. The roughly 1,000 pages of records from the pilot's initial months outline significant problems including thousands of delayed approvals, miscommunications between tech vendors and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), and provider frustration. Many prior authorization requests exceeded the program's three-day goal, with some remaining unanswered for over 80 days. Providers reported patients experiencing severe pain due to delayed procedures. Technical issues, system downtime, and a lack of communication from vendors, particularly Innovaccer in Ohio, were also cited. The WISeR model, launched on January 1, aims to curb improper spending in traditional Medicare by using AI for prior authorization in Arizona, O...
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Oklahoma Exits Top 5 States for Teen Birth Rates, Marking Significant Progress

Oklahoma Exits Top 5 States for Teen Birth Rates, Marking Significant Progress

Oklahoma has successfully dropped out of the top five states with the highest teen birth rates in the nation. This achievement follows years of dedicated effort and community investment aimed at deterring teen pregnancy. In 2014, Oklahoma held the second-highest ranking, with over 38 births per 1,000 teenage females. Current data indicates a substantial reduction, with the rate now standing at 17 births per 1,000. Local organizations, such as Amplify Youth Health Collective, attribute this progress to the proactive decisions made by young people regarding their health, especially when provided with access to information and resources. Heather Duvall, Executive Director at Amplify Youth Health Collective, emphasized that the credit belongs to the youth for making healthy choices. The collective's Director of Learning and Impact, Jenny Briggs, highlighted the importance of digital literacy and media literacy in health education, ensuring young people can vet credible health resources online.
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OU Health Campus Explores AI's Potential to Revolutionize Healthcare in Oklahoma

OU Health Campus Explores AI's Potential to Revolutionize Healthcare in Oklahoma

The OU Health Campus recently hosted its first AI Symposium, bringing together leaders from the university and clinical enterprise to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare, research, and education. The symposium focused on both the opportunities and risks associated with AI, particularly in the context of improving health outcomes in Oklahoma. Carlos Bustamante, Ph.D., vice dean of research at the OU College of Medicine, highlighted Oklahoma's unique position to leverage AI due to its significant health challenges, including high rates of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions. AI is already being utilized for tasks such as triaging medical images and assisting clinicians with documentation, and it shows promise in predicting patient risk and hospital readmission rates. Ian Dunn, M.D., executive dean of the OU College of Medicine, emphasized the need to embrace AI while acknowledging its risks, noting that patients are increasingly using AI tools to research their own ...
The Knoxville News-SentinelThe Knoxville News-Sentinel
This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

Nearly 6,000 educators were surveyed by the national K-12 news outlet last fall to understand how teachers are feeling. Here's what they said.
USA TodayUSA Today
Heat dome pattern brings twice the usual 100-degree days to some cities

Heat dome pattern brings twice the usual 100-degree days to some cities

A heat dome is driving triple-digit temperatures across the southern U.S., with some cities recording more than twice their typical 100-degree days.
1Weather1Weather
Super El Niño to bring mild winter to Midwest

Super El Niño to bring mild winter to Midwest

A 'super' El Niño, potentially the strongest since 1950, is expected to influence weather patterns across the central U.S. this fall and winter. This climate phenomenon, driven by record-high Pacific Ocean temperatures, typically results in warmer and drier winters for the Midwest and Great Plains, while the southern U.S. may experience wetter and slightly cooler conditions. Scientists predict temperature increases of 1–4°F (0.5–2.2°C) across the Midwest, potentially leading to faster snowmelt and reduced snowpack. The effects of El Niño could begin as early as September, peaking between November and January. While the Midwest may see milder conditions, states like Oklahoma and Texas could benefit from increased rainfall, offering relief to drought-stricken areas.