By CHARLOTTE KRAMON, ALEX VEIGA and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
In a rare bipartisan effort for a deeply divided Congress, the Senate has passed a broad bill to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable. The bill passed on Thursday would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, which passed a separate version earlier this year. It is unclear whether President Donald Trump would sign it after declaring last weekend that he won't sign any new measures unless Congress passes legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened to take mental health funding from counties he says are falling short on CARE Court. On Monday, Newsom named 10 counties he called underperformers, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange. He says he can shift money to counties he believes use the program better. CARE Court started in 2023 and uses judges to push people with severe mental illness into treatment. CalMatters reports the program serves far fewer people than expected. The state has received 3,817 petitions and judges have approved 893 agreements. Some counties dispute Newsom's claims and have asked for clearer measures.
As mental health chatbots driven by artificial intelligence proliferate, a small number of states are trying to regulate them. Laws in Illinois, Nevada and Utah are among the first in the nation to put limits on or ban therapy chatbots. But app creators, policymakers and mental health advocates say it is just a start and federal regulation would be ideal. App makers worry the patchwork of laws could stifle innovation needed due to a nationwide shortage of human therapists. They also note that many of the laws don't cover generic chatbots like ChatGPT.
