What's Happening

Business

McDonald's E. coli Outbreak Dims The Golden Arches

What's going on: Federal health officials have linked McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers to an E. coli outbreak across 10 states, which has resulted in one death, 10 hospitalizations, and dozens of illnesses. Most cases have been reported in Colorado and Nebraska, with the majority of people falling ill between late September and early October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is conducting a “fast-moving outbreak investigation” to identify the contaminated ingredient, focusing on two suspects: slivered onions and beef. Preliminary findings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest the onions likely caused the outbreak. However, the CDC noted that these onions are “primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.” Federal investigators are also working to determine if McDonald’s food distributor sold the contaminated products to other businesses.

What it means: In response to the outbreak, roughly one-fifth of McDonald’s locations have removed the Quarter Pounder from their menus. The company is reassuring customers that its food is safe, saying in a statement, “we take food safety extremely seriously.” But for McDonald’s HQ, this E. coli situation is the last thing it needed on its plate this year. The world’s largest fast-food chain recently reported its first drop in global sales in nearly four years, as many consumers turn to healthier or cheaper alternatives. Now, McDonald’s shares have dropped at least 9% in the wake of the E. coli reports.

Related: Trump Is Selling “MAGADonald’s” Merch After Picking Up a Shift Last Weekend (Intelligencer)

Politics

What's That Feeling? Election Anxiety Grows Amid Potential Threats

What's going on: As the election inches closer, many voters are asking themselves: What could go wrong? Amid a tight presidential race, memories of Jan 6, and dark messages on the campaign trail, it’s no wonder Americans might be feeling anxiety about Election Day and what follows. While cyberattacks and foreign interference are concerns, election officials are bracing for other potential disruptions. Among them: partisan poll workers who could deter voters from casting ballots, delays in vote counting that could fuel mistrust, and the election potentially hinging on one battleground state (looking at you, Pennsylvania). There’s also concern about a peaceful transfer of power, as former President Donald Trump’s camp has refused to meet with the White House for transition planning. Plus, if one side claims victory before results are finalized — like Trump did in 2020 — it could create further chaos. We know, it’s a lot.

What it means: In the run-up to Nov. 5, there have been lawsuits challenging election rules and a number of candidates who’ve cast doubt on the process. But officials maintain that voter fraud is rare and safeguards are in place to catch any funny business. Meanwhile, numerous states have taken action to increase security — especially in battleground states. For example, in Maricopa County, Arizona, officials will use drone surveillance and security cameras to help police officers monitor the tabulation center. For all the anxiety, there is a glimmer of optimism: one analysis found that most Americans trust their local officials to carry out fair and reliable elections. On that note, don’t forget to make your voting plan here.

Related: Harris Believes Trump “Is a Fascist” Following Reports He Praised Hitler (AP)

Technology

More Teens Are Turning to AI Companions — But Are There Hidden Dangers?

Disclaimer: The following story mentions suicide, which could be triggering to some readers.

What's going on: A mother is suing Character.AI, alleging the company’s AI chatbots played a role in her 14-year-old son’s suicide earlier this year. Megan Garcia told The New York Times that her son became addicted to messaging his AI companion, increasingly isolating himself from family and friends. A therapist had diagnosed her son with mental health issues, but no one realized how attached he had become to the chatbot until it was too late. According to the lawsuit, Garcia’s son took his own life shortly after messaging the chatbot. Garcia alleges Character.AI’s chatbots “trick customers into handing over their most private thoughts and feelings.” Character.AI, which has 3.5 million daily users, denied the allegations and said it introduced new safety measures for minors. The lawsuit is also against Google, which has a deal with Character.AI to license their tech. A spokesperson for Google told CBS that the tech giant has not helped develop Character.AI.

What it means: More and more people, especially teenagers, are turning to AI companions. Some teens told The Verge that it’s extremely easy to talk about their emotions or mental health issues with an AI chatbot that doesn’t judge them. While these chatbots can provide harmless fun, there is virtually no research on their impact on mental health since the tech is still relatively new. Some users have reported feeling addicted to their companions — a concern that’s prompted mental health researchers to raise alarms. It also doesn’t help that AI remains largely unregulated, allowing these chatbots to become more sophisticated as they interact with more users.

Related: Teenagers Already Know How to Use AI Better Than Their Parents (Axios)