Texas Health Resources has informed fewer than 4,000 of its patients that an unauthorized third party may have gained access to their private information in a potential data breach in January. The incident may have compromised patients' names, medical record numbers, clinical information, insurance information, addresses and dates of birth, as well as state identification numbers, driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers for some.
Eighty-two percent of US consumers reported being more worried about cybersecurity today than they were five years ago, while 63% indicated being more concerned about cybersecurity than a possible war in the next year, per a poll of nearly 10,000 consumers worldwide that was commissioned by IBM and conducted by The Harris Poll. Researchers also found that 68% of US consumers expressed concerns of being hacked within the next five years, and 67% agreed with the statement, "The bad guys are winning over the good guys in the cybersecurity war."
Teacher Jaysa Fillmore is using agricultural science to give hands-on context to math and science lessons in an urban Idaho school. Fillmore and her students have built a greenhouse for plants and a barn for rabbits, and take field trips to learn about agriculture-related careers.
⋅ Politico
Senate Republicans, with support from President Donald Trump, are preparing to use the Congressional Review Act to repeal 2013 rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to discourage discrimination by auto lenders. Using the act on years-old rules, rather than recently adopted ones, raises concern decades of regulation might be at stake.
US restaurants saw breakfast and morning snack traffic rise 1% in the 12-month period ending Feb. 18, while traffic was flat or down the rest of the day, according to NPD Group. Eateries are innovating to win breakfast fans, with new options including craft pancakes at Denny's, King's Hawaiian French Toast at IHOP and Breakfast Green Bowls at Rouge Tomate Cafe in New York City.
Cybersecurity insurance company Beazley analyzed data breach incidents within the health care sector during the first quarter of this year and found that hacking or malware and accidental disclosure each accounted for 29% of the total incidents, followed by insider causes at 15%. The report also showed 6% of the incidents were attributed to physical loss and 5% to portable devices.
Just over a fifth of American households own a smart speaker, per eMarketer, and a new study from Publicis Media explains that consumers want a more sophisticated experience and offers advice on what marketers can do to give it to them. "Voice-proof your Brand Q&A content by increasing frictionless and conversational qualities," the report states; it also includes tips on using music and streaming services and making car journeys more fun through voice experiences.
UK-based fast-fashion retailer Primark is set to open its ninth US store in Brooklyn, N.Y., in May, and its plans also call for a Florida store next year, the first US location that will be outside the Northeast. The chain, known for its low-priced fashions, is expected to find favorable lease deals as US retail landlords look to fill space.
ZTE is looking for new operating system options after the US banned American companies from selling parts or software to it for seven years. The Commerce Department implemented the ban because ZTE violated sanctions with Iran; the ban would stop Google from licensing Android apps or services to ZTE.
⋅ Reuters
A study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found no link between the monthly or incremental costs of new cancer drugs and their clinical benefits. The authors looked at 42 clinical trials for medications approved from 2006 to 2015, finding that average monthly costs of new oncology drugs rose to $15,535 in 2015 from $7,103 in 2006, while the difference in cost between new drugs and those they were intended to replace climbed to $161,141 from $30,447.
Discovery Communications is continuing to focus on over-the-top opportunities as viewers increasingly embrace streaming video services. In addition to licensing its content to OTT platforms such as Philo TV, the company has also launched its own apps -- with more planned for the future -- and CEO David Zaslav recently hinted at a potential direct-to-consumer service.
From 2000 through 2015, 23 states underproduced housing units by 7.3 million, according to a study from the Up for Growth National Coalition, ECONorthwest and Holland Government Affairs. A key reason is land use regulation, which locked out development in key areas of California, Utah and Arizona.
The Iowa Utilities Board has approved Alliant Energy's plan to add 1 gigawatt of new wind farms to the state over the next two years. Alliant plans to have wind power account for about one-third of its energy capacity in Iowa by 2020.
⋅ Fox News
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly released a video following Tuesday's tragic incident on Flight 1380 to offer the airline's deepest condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy. "On behalf of the Southwest family, I want to extend my deepest sympathies for the family and the loved ones of our deceased customer. They are our immediate and primary concern and we will do all that we can to support them during this difficult time," Kelly said.
Industry leaders are at odds with Marriott International President and CEO Arne Sorenson's recent assertion that there has been a drop in bookings through travel agents because consumers prefer to make their own reservations online. Other travel executives see consumers that are overwhelmed with digital options and turning to agents for their valuable services and guidance.