Premium | Lexington County Chronicle

State CFO tapped to run Oklahoma Health Care Authority

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s CFO will lead the state’s Health Care Authority after the current director said he would be stepping down after less than a year in the role. Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday announced he had appointed Aaron Morris, the chief financial officer for the state of Oklahoma, to be the interim director […] more

Emma Murphy | 7/15/26 03:25 PM

Costs will rise next year for NC state employees and teachers who use most WakeMed services

North Carolina workers using the State Health Plan will pay more for care at WakeMed starting next year. WakeMed is a “non-preferred” provider under the health plan’s new ranking system, meaning most members using the health plan will pay higher out-of-pocket costs if they seek treatment there. Health plan administrators asked healthcare systems to compete […] more

Lynn Bonner | 7/15/26 02:58 PM

Whitmer rolls out data center plan, calls on lawmakers to pass laws protecting energy customers

Amid criticism for her support of data center development in Michigan and opposition to a statewide moratorium, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday unveiled a plan intended to ensure affordable and responsible data center growth while protecting residents from higher energy costs. Whitmer’s Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan focuses on two main areas: cementing […] more

Kyle Davidson | 7/15/26 02:55 PM

Oklahoma confirms spike in cases of cyclosporiasis as U.S. outbreak spreads

OKLAHOMA CITY — With 56 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, Oklahoma is the latest state to report a spike in cases amid a national outbreak of the intestinal illness. There have been six hospitalizations in Oklahoma of the illness, which causes “explosive” diarrhea, but no deaths, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health dashboard. Health […] more

Emma Murphy | 7/15/26 02:49 PM

3/4 of small businesses don't trust AI for basic tasks

Bluevine reports that while 74% of small businesses are using AI tools, 82% face barriers like data security concerns, and 78% don't fully trust AI for basic tasks. more

Rob Pursell for Bluevine | 7/15/26 02:00 PM

Kansas cyclospora cases more than double this week, as illness spreads nationally

TOPEKA — Kansas cases of a foodborne illness that causes explosive diarrhea doubled this week to 55, and a national health agency said cases exceeded 7,000 nationwide. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control for the University of Kansas Health System, said Monday that Kansas cases of illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora […] more

Morgan Chilson | 7/15/26 12:33 PM

3 in 4 US manufacturers admit their warehouse networks are falling behind

WSI reports 75% of U.S. manufacturers acknowledge their warehouse networks are outdated and poorly designed for today's operational needs, prompting a re-evaluation. more

Alyssa Wolfe for WSI | 7/15/26 12:30 PM

Indiana regulators to investigate utility profits, bill charges

State regulators kicked off investigations into utility profit margins and bill charges — and recommended legislative changes, with more to come. more

Leslie Bonilla Muñiz | 7/15/26 12:14 PM

Lee County residents demand pause on NC data center, claiming deception

Lee County residents demand a pause on proposed data center over concerns of noise pollution, environmental impacts, and lack of transparency from the developers. more

Claire Michal, Christine Zhu | 7/15/26 12:10 PM

The rise of agentic AI in supply chains and what it means for retailers

AMS Fulfillment reports the rise of agentic AI in supply chains, enhancing decision-making by predicting disruptions and improving fulfillment efficiency for retailers. more

Jason Irwin for AMS Fulfillment | 7/15/26 12:00 PM

Hospital CEOs meet union skepticism over out-of-state acquisition of Allina Health

In what could be a portentous signal for the fate of a healthcare mega merger, skeptics from labor unions filled a St. Paul church this week to voice concerns — sometimes raucously so — about the proposed joining of two big nonprofit health systems: Allina Health and Sutter Health. The Office of the Minnesota Attorney […] more

Alyssa Chen | 7/15/26 11:42 AM

Should I put my rent payments on autopay?

RentRedi reports that autopay for rent reduces missed payments and late fees, helping renters build credit while simplifying payment routines. more

Jennifer Tolkachev for RentRedi | 7/15/26 11:30 AM

New state newsroom launches

Nonprofit news organization Free Press Indiana launched a statewide newsroom on Wednesday. Free Press Indiana News is a five-person newsroom, led by veteran editor Lindsey Erdody. It will publish content daily — via its website and social platforms and also deliver a weekly newsletter, The Lens, each Saturday morning. Free Press Indiana was created in […] more

Niki Kelly | 7/15/26 11:11 AM

The hidden cost of divorce in every US state

Skillern Firm Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers reports that divorce costs in the U.S. often exceed expectations, with average expenses varying by state and increasing significantly if contested. more

Matthew Skillern for Skillern Firm Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers | 7/15/26 11:10 AM

Cow manure could be the next data center fuel

Sentient reports that cow manure is being explored as an energy source for data centers, potentially powering operations while aiming for sustainability. more

Marin Scotten for Sentient | 7/15/26 10:35 AM

Public universities face escalating involvement from state lawmakers

Stateline reports that public universities face increasing political oversight, limiting faculty power and curriculum control amid rising state involvement. more

Anna Claire Vollers for Stateline | 7/15/26 10:35 AM

The 4% flashpoint: Why Americans are quietly dumping traditional bank accounts

Credit One Bank reports that a recent survey reveals Americans are moving away from traditional banks, seeking at least a 4% interest rate to switch accounts. more

Richard Horowitz for Credit One Bank | 7/15/26 10:00 AM

Can ADHD contribute to divorce? How ADHD symptoms affect marriage, child custody, and divorce

WSM Law reports that ADHD's symptoms can strain marriages, leading to lower relationship satisfaction and higher divorce rates, especially if untreated. more

Natalie McGee for WSM Law | 7/15/26 10:00 AM

More teens with cannabis use disorder are facing treatment delays, study finds

As federal officials consider whether to reclassify marijuana under federal drug law, a new study has found that more American teenagers seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder, known as CUD, are facing longer wait times before receiving care. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analyzed national data from more than 124,000 […] more

Amanda Watford | 7/15/26 09:45 AM