SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Concerns are growing over the safety of artificial intelligence prescribing medications in Utah.

This week, in a letter to the state Department of Commerce, the Utah Medical Licensing Board called for the program’s immediate suspension, citing concerns about medical oversight and whether the technology is being deployed too quickly.

State officials said the effort is about expanding access to care, while the licensing board says patient safety could be at risk.

Some see potential in using AI to make health care faster and more accessible.

MORE | Artificial Intelligence

“I think it definitely has a future, and that future does excite me,” Travis said. “I just think right now we’re not quite there yet.”

This year, the state partnered with Doctronic to pilot an AI system to help renew prescriptions for chronic conditions.

But this week, in a letter to the state Department of Commerce, the Utah Medical Licensing Board said it was only informed after the program was already live.

The Department of Commerce told the station the board was not required to be involved and said licensed medical professionals were consulted before launch. The board has raised concerns that patients could receive outdated or suboptimal care.

State officials said all prescriptions are reviewed by a licensed physician and that there is no autonomous prescribing. They also said the goal is to expand access to care, especially in rural communities and for the uninsured, and that the board will be included in any future expansion.

“I think I’m OK with that,” Julie said. “You might not think you can trust it, but then you can’t trust some of the pharmacy people either as far as getting everything right.”

The letter can be found below:

On January 6, 2026, the State of Utah and Doctronic entered into an agreement to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system to “automate routine, guideline-based prescription renewals” for Utah residents. This system will allow “30-, 60-, or 90-day renewals for medications that have already been prescribed by a licensed provider.” The Utah Medical Licensing Board (Medical Board) was made aware of this agreement only after its implementation, once the system was already live and available for use.

The Medical Board is tasked with protecting the public in the State of Utah. While we support the legislative mandate to explore AI implementation, we also have a stewardship to protect Utah citizens. Collectively, the board has decades of medical experience across a variety of specialties, positioning us to understand the potential consequences of implementing what may seem like an innocuous task of AI-driven prescription refills.

Overseeing prescription refills is a task reserved for properly licensed medical practitioners for critical safety and clinical reasons. Each refill requires reassessment and clinical decision-making to safely adjust doses, monitor for side effects, contraindications, or new drug interactions, and ensure the medication remains effective. Patients who continue refilling medications without assessment may remain on outdated or suboptimal therapy for months or years. There is a reason prescription refills require physician authorization.

Proceeding with this agreement without consulting the Medical Board potentially places Utah citizens at risk and remains a major concern of the board. It is imperative that professionals with medical backgrounds review all proposals prior to implementation to ensure these programs do not compromise patient safety. We must not allow AI or other financial motivations to override this obligation, yet that is precisely what occurred here.

It is the strong recommendation of the Utah Medical Licensing Board that this program be immediately suspended pending further discussion.

We look forward to working with the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy to explore ways to safely implement AI in the practice of medicine.

_____

Washington, D.C. (04/24/2026) – The Washington Spirit took home its second win of the season on Friday night, defeating the Kansas City Current 4-0. The top two finishers from last season played in front of a sold-out stadium of 19,215 fans at Audi Field.

Washington took charge quickly, cooking up a couple of close opportunities at the top of the highly anticipated matchup. The Current responded to the attacks with attacks of their own, setting the stage for what was sure to be a gritty match. Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made a sliding save in a one-on-one against former Spirit player Croix Bethune after a fumble in Washington’s back.

Soon after, a buildup though the whole squad led to Rosemonde Kouassi grazing the right post with a powerful shot following a fake-out from fellow forward Sofia Cantore.

The scrappy back and forth continued with the Spirit slowly inching toward Kansas City’s goal. In the 25th minute, a cross from Trinity Rodman found the one touch foot of Leicy Santos and then the back of the net, giving the Spirit the early lead. Santos locked in her second goal of the NWSL season, and Rodman her first assist of the season. Kansas City battled back, sending forward Temwa Chawinga streaking through the middle of the field, momentarily untouchable until Spirit keeper MacIver denied the Current once again with another sliding save.

Nearing the end of the first half, Kansas City’s final third became a playground for the Spirit. Kouassi, Cantore and Santos expertly passed around the defense, narrowly missing shots. A goal would finally come, in the third minute of first-half stoppage time after Kansas City keeper Lorena misjudged a corner kick; the ball passed through her hands and landed at the feet of Rodman, who effortlessly secured the Spirit’s 2-0 lead. This was Rodman’s first goal of the NWSL season.

The Spirit brought energy right out of the locker room to start the second half. The high-pressure attack quickly paid off when a ball from Hal Hershfelt sent Cantore flying up the right and sent a cross angled back to a patiently waiting Santos to finish the play, netting her second goal of the game and third of the season.

The Spirit defense started to see some more action after the third goal; Tara Rudd, Esme Morgan, Kate Wiesner and Lucia Di Guglielmo shut down all threats to their net. Claudia Martínez replaced Cantore at the top and immediately made her presence known. Kouassi sprinted from half field, closed in on the visitor’s net before crossing the ball to Martínez, who sliced a rebound shot past the Kansas City keeper, clinching the first goal of her NWSL career to make it 4-0 Spirit.

As the clock counted down the final minutes of the game, Kansas City was rewarded a free kick at the top of the box, and the strike from Ally Sentnor pinged off the crossbar, forcing a full team effort from the Spirit to eventually clear the danger. In the last minute, a successful slide tackle from Tara Rudd, secured the team’s third consecutive clean sheet.

Next up, the Spirit will continue its homestand, hosting Racing Louisville FC on Wednesday, April 29. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT and air on Victory+.

-NWSL Match Report- 

Match: Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current 

Date: Friday, April 24, 2025 

Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.) 

Kickoff: 8 p.m. EDT 

Weather: Mostly cloudy, high-60s 

Scoring Summary: 

WAS – Leicy Santos – 25′ (assisted by Trinity Rodman) 

WAS – Trinity Rodman – 45+3’ 

WAS – Leicy Santos – 56’ 

WAS – Claudia Martínez – 75’ 

Lineups: 

WAS: 18 – Sandy MacIver; 6 – Kate Wiesner; 24 – Esme Morgan; 9 – Tara Rudd; 13 – Lucia Di Guglielmo (5 – Élisabeth Tsé, 78’); 4 – Rebeca Bernal; 10 – Leicy Santos; 17 – Hal Hershfelt; 2 – Trinity Rodman (21 – Gift Monday, 78’); 27 – Sofia Cantore (11 – Claudia Martínez, 65’); 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi (16 – Tamara Bolt, 83’) 

Unused Substitutes: 31 – Kaylie Collins; 11 – Claudia Martínez; 14 – Gabrielle Carle; 26 – Paige Metayer; 29 – Emma Gaines-Ramos; 35 – Madison Haugen 

KC: 23 – Lorena; 18 – Izzy Rodriguez; 24 – Gabrielle Robinson; 27 – Kayla Sharples; 5 – Ellie Bravo-Young; 8 – Croix Bethune (66 – Kyra Carusa, 75’); 99 – Debinha (11 – Rocky Rodríguez, 46’); 10 – Lo’eau LaBonta (22 – Bayley Feist, 82’); 6 – Temwa Chawinga (13 – Haley Hopkins, 65’); 21 – Ally Sentnor; 17 – Michelle Cooper (3 – Amelia White, 75’) 

Unused Substitutes: 1 – Marisa Jordan; 2 – Laney Rouse; 7 – Elizabeth Ball; 55 – Penelope Hocking 

Stats Summary: WAS / KC 

Shots: 18 / 8 

Shots On Goal: 7 / 3 

Saves: 3 / 3 

Fouls: 17 / 13 

Offsides: 2 / 3 

Misconduct Summary: 

KC – Kayla Sharples – 13′ – Yellow Card 

KC – Michelle Cooper – 43′ – Yellow Card 

CASPER, Wyo. — Saturday is here once again, and with it comes a slew of events and activities happening all throughout town! It’s a busy day in Casper, with a variety of things happening for people of all ages. From Independent Bookstore Day to Boots and Bling, this is everything happening Saturday in the Oil City.

The Oil City Daily Event Guide is sponsored by Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo.

Aerial Yoga Conditioning

Theraexpressions Meditation is hosting an aerial yoga conditioning class on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The price is $25 per person.

“There is a version of you that rises on effort instead of hesitation,” the event page states. “That welcomes challenge and climbs towards strength. That turns strain into power. Our high-intensity Aerial Conditioning Yoga is not about looking graceful. It is about feeling empowered within your whole self. Having a fierce rhythm of breath as you lift, stabilize, invert, repeat. Muscles awakening. Mind sharpening. Limits expanding. You meet yourself beyond the edge you thought was final. Where endurance is physical and presence is practiced with every hold. As effort builds, you will feel: total-body strength, igniting endurance rising in waves, grip and shoulder stability, deepening coordination under challenge, mental resilience under load. Not because it’s easy but because you stayed. You kept showing up and trying again even when it got hard. You did this for YOU!! Aerial conditioning teaches a rare truth. You can hold yourself through intensity. You can stabilize inside effort. You can rise again while shaking, sweating, striving and discover you ARE stronger than your doubt. Between earth and air, discipline becomes freedom. Effort becomes empowerment. Resilience becomes identity. All levels of yogis welcomed. Come ready. Leave powerful. Return stronger.”

Happening at 11 a.m.

Wind City Books is celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, and bibliophiles of all ages are welcome to participate. It’s happening at Wind City Books from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s free and open to the public.

“Join us at Wind City Books Saturday, April 25 to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day 2026!” the event page states. “There will be all kinds of fun beginning as soon as doors open at 10 a.m. with the Libro.fm Golden Ticket Hunt (one lucky person will receive 12 free audio book credits), free book with purchase while supplies last, exclusive independent bookstore day merchandise available for purchase, giveaways, and a book signing featuring local authors India Hayford and Summer Smith Melin.”

Happening at 10 a.m.

The Good, the Bad and the Bugly: Insects and Gardens

The Natrona County Library is hosting a closer look at the tiny creatures that shape the health of the environment, with “The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly: Insects and Gardens” on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

“Inspired by ‘Lab Girl’ and the NEA Big Read theme Our Nature, this program invites participants to examine the often-overlooked relationships between plants and insects,” the event page states. “Alex Hutchinson of Wyoming State Parks will guide participants through the difference between beneficial insects and common garden pests, and share practical tips for identifying who’s helping, who’s harming, and how to respond thoughtfully. From pollinators and soil-builders to leaf-chewers and larvae, we’ll explore how even the smallest organisms play a role in larger ecosystems. In ‘Lab Girl,’ Hope Jahren reminds us that understanding begins with observation. This program encourages gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike to look more closely at the life buzzing, crawling, and fluttering around them — and to see gardens not just as cultivated spaces, but as living communities. This event will take place in the Crawford Room and is open to adults. No registration is required.

Happening at 10 a.m.

The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra is hosting its latest concert, “United Through Music: Pursuit of Happiness,” on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m.

“Join us on April 25 for the final concert of our 2025–26 season!” the event page states. “The season finale features a celebration of American voices and symphonic grandeur. Valerie Coleman’s ‘Seven O’Clock Shout,’ written in honor of frontline workers during the pandemic, leads into Peter Boyer’s patriotic ‘Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue,’ performed by guest pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Howard Hanson’s choral-orchestral ‘Song of Democracy’ and Respighi’s sweeping ‘Pines of Rome’ bring the season to a majestic close.”

Happening at 3 p.m.

The Barn by the Five Deuces is hosting Boots and Bling on Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care.

“Dust off your boots and bring a little shine,” the event page states. “Boots & Bling is Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care’s signature spring fundraiser, and it’s shaping up to be a night you won’t want to miss. Tickets are limited so don’t wait to snag yours! Enjoy dinner by Heirloom and Native, drinks by Occasions by Cory, music, one-of-a-kind items for raffles, and a western-glam atmosphere built around community and connection. We’ll kick things up a notch with a quick, easy line dance lesson, then open up the dance floor for anyone ready to jump in or just cheer from the sidelines. Two left feet welcome… This is a judgment-free dance floor! Every ticket helps ease the burden for Wyoming cancer patients by covering everyday essentials like travel, lodging, groceries, housing, and utilities, giving them one less thing to worry about while they focus on healing.

Happening at 5:30 p.m.

Don’t see an event on the calendar? Add it! Click here, add your details and submit to let Casper know all about it.

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