Smartphones are the next solution to predicting and preventing suicides using artificial intelligence (AI).

Harvard Psychologist Matthew K. Nock is working on AI technology that can help predict if newly released patients are falling back into old habits. There are sensors that detect irregular sleep patterns, low mood responses to questionnaires, not leaving the house, and movement (agitation). These warnings will allow a clinician to reach out before anything goes wrong.

In an ideal world this kind of technology would be beneficial, but there are a lot of doubts. In not every case does a person go through these red flags. Every person is different and may not show any signs.

Another concern has been raised with the invasion of privacy of the patients. If it is a false red flag the clinician can have legal troubles and patients may not feel comfortable to being monitored 24/7. They are among the most vulnerable people, so it is crucial to avoid triggering them.

Dr. Nock is aware of these arguments but is persistent in applying this technology. He emphasizes that the suicide rate has stayed the same for the past 100 years.

Many other psychologists have pointed out how hard it is to predict suicide. Every person copes differently and can react fast.

AI itself raises a lot of controversies and adding the invasion of privacy and inaccuracy of this new technology is starting an argument among many psychologists. They are taking efforts to decrease the number of suicide but are questioning whether this technology will help or hinder patients.

Target’s efforts in caring for families and their team have led them to tremendous growth in 2021.

In its annual report, Target announced that they grew by tens of billions of dollars since the pandemic. According to CEO (Brian Cornell), “we’ve invested more than ever in our team members and their families, contributed to meaningful gains in diversity, equity and inclusion, and organized environmental and social sustainability for the decades ahead.” Their focus on families has played a big part in their growth.

Cornell also goes on to say that “caring for and investing in our team is the best long-term investment we can make in our business.” Their efforts in providing families with joy have led to better business performance and will continue to do so.

Some new incentives were also a part of their growth. Such as the remodeling of 2000 stores, so far, opening about 30 new stores a year, and investing 300 million dollars on increasing the starting wage from 15 to 24. They grew sales by 12.7% compared to last year.

Target is satisfied with the growth but believes target has so much more potential ahead. They will continue to provide tremendous growth for shareholders and stakeholders.

Working in fast food led Justing Sitti straight into a terrible experience. Sitti worked in Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in Village Point, Omaha.

Sitti explained that “The manager was bad”. He mentioned that in his year of working at Fuzzy’s they had a total of 4 managers come and go. They would only last a month and then quit.

When asked why the manager were bad, Sitti said “The manager made no staffing and he didn’t care about the job”. Because the managers did not care about the job they would be overwhelmed and leave. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is a popular fast food place and lots of people go there. He explained how there would be an hour rush and only two people working at a time.

The lack of management at Fuzzy’s made Sitti’s experience terrible. When asked if he thinks all fast food restaurants are the same he nodded and said “I am never working in fast food again”. He expressed how scarred he was from the experience and regretted his decision in working there.

I did my article review on Nasa’s Artemis 1. I learned a lot about writing leads and how to organize different sources into one essay for this first Article Review.

During the writing process, I put a lot of thought into the organization. I originally had it organized chronologically. It was easy to take information from all three sources and relate them together. I wanted to make sure that I included all the interesting information from all three of my sources. I tried to organize it in a way that would keep the reader entertained and wanting to read more.

One thing I struggled with was making sure that the details were at the bottom of the review. I originally thought that the details went with the paragraphs at the top, because they relate. I learned through feedback that you can circle back to it at the end. The reader will probably only read the first part of it and if they are entertained they will continue to read.

I did my best to move the details to the bottom of the review. I also worked on improving my lead and making it entertaining. I would say I was pretty successful with moving details to the end of the review, but I could still work on improving my leads.

TikTok bans politicians from being able to fundraise on their platform.

TikTok announced that politicians would lose all advertising features and monetization features. Along with that, they will have to be verified on TikTok and work directly with Snapchat to advertise certain social issues.

The 2019 elections brought a lot of politics into the app, and a lot of creators profiting off of political advertisements. Studies showed that TikTok has become a huge source of misinformation. TikTok has expressed that they are an entertainment platform, and are cautious about its young-aged audience.

Their actions to ban political fundraising will bring the focus back to the entertainment factor.

The class was tasked with a scavenger hunt that would challenge us to go out of our comfort zone and interact with strangers. The goal was to complete the tasks on the sheet of paper assigned and collect two quotes. We had to interact with people in order to get our items.

I was on the lookout for a red rubber band and decided to visit the Lincon Center in hopes of finding one. I approached the first professor I encountered, Jeffrey Zink. Zink was sitting in his office when I asked him if he had a red rubber band. He gave me a confused look and asked “a red rubber band?”. I then explained what we were tasked with and the confused look disappeared from his face. He then started looking for a red rubber band but could not find one.

I then decided to complete my second task and ask him about an artist he recommends I listen to. He mentioned the group Post Modern Juke Box (one of their members being Scott Bradlee). I then asked why he like them and we went on explaining how unique the group is. Zink described their music as “contemporary pop hits that are changed in to different genres.” He gave examples like “they could take a lady gaga song and turn it into a 60’s hit”. I thanked him for participating and assured him that I would be checking this artist out.

I was still missing a red rubber band. I tried asking the security office in the Olsen Center but had no luck there. I decided to go to Lewis hall and ask someone in the admission office. I walked in and was greeted by Cindy Houlsworth: “How can I help you ladies?”. I asked her if she had a red rubber band and she started to look for one. She was not surprised at all and was very helpful. Luckily she found one. We then explained to her what we were tasked with and she smiled and laughed. As we were leaving she said “Good luck with the rest of that”. I had never seen Cindy on campus before but It was nice interacting with her and knowing that she is so willing to help.

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In the article “Starbucks Shares Shift in Strategy, to Automation and Expansion”, we learn about Starbucks’ plans to alleviate their workers by creating automation plans that will help make drinks faster.

Starbucks baristas are overwhelmed by the amount of time it takes to make drinks and the number of orders they get. Starbucks has made efforts in minimizing the time to make drinks (from 87 seconds to 35 seconds). These efforts have helped, but with Starbuck’s popularity, it is not enough.

These plans for automation are not created to take the place of the barista. Starbucks understands its value and is known for creating jobs for those in need (veterans and college students). These automations are made as a tool for baristas and to increase productivity.

Starbucks also plans to open locations in China.

This is news because Starbucks is a very well-known company and this change could make a huge difference in how the company is run. If done correctly, baristas will feel less overwhelmed and customers will get their drinks faster.

United Airlines Jet crashed through homes in a residential district south of Townsville leading to 55 deaths.

A United Airlines jet with 61 persons aboard crashed while approaching Townsville’s Midway Airport Friday afternoon. Most of the plane’s passengers were killed when the airplane plowed through the Townsville homes. The plane’s final destination was Omaha, NE.

One eyewitness said: “I saw the plane coming lower and lower. I couldn’t believe it. I thought surely it would go back up in the air. But it kept coming down. I knew it would never make it to the airport. I was scared.”

The National Transportation Safety Board in Washington immediately dispatched and investigative team to Townsville. Several board officials were already in the city conducting hearings into the Oct. 20 commuter train crash that claimed 45 lives last month.

A United spokesman said, “The plane, Flight 553, was due at Midway at 2:30 p.m. CST. The plane was approaching the airport with a 500–foot ceiling and a one–mile visibility.”

“We’ll look into this thoroughly,” an official was quoted as saying.

The Mook County Coroner reported 42 bodies had been found. One of the victims identified was Rep. George W. Collins, D–Ill., who was returning from Washington to “organize a children’s Christmas party.”

One of the survivors, Marvin Anderson, 43, of Omaha, said, “The last words the pilot said to us were, “We are at 4,000 feet and everything is going well.’ I knew something was wrong a few seconds later because he began to rev the engines.”

Curtis Vokamer, deputy fire marshall, said his crew found most of the 55 passengers dead in the debris of the Boeing 737. “If hell as an address, this is the place,” Vokamer said. Holy Cross Hospital reported 16 people, including the plane’s three flight attendants, were admitted with injuries.

Daughter of local attorney Jim Wensen, Cathy Wensen was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol for the third time in the past six months last night.

Cathy Wensen is the daughter of Jim and Sharon Wensen. Cathy was this year’s homecoming queen; has been a cheerleader, and straight-A student. Cathy is attending Vanderbilt University for her graduate study in biology. She is now facing jail time due to her last three DUIs.  

University President of Backwater State University announces that students entering next fall (2023) must take one math, computer science, and foreign language course.

A recent study showed only 15 percent of students took a foreign language course and only 20 percent took a math course while at Backwater State University. President David French recently announced the additional required courses for students next fall. President French explained, “We feel that these new course requirements will allow us to turn out better-educated persons.”