Latest news with #Burdick
CNET
6 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Social Security Has a 'Maddening' New AI Phone Bot. Here's How to Deal With It
Social Security's new phone bot can be frustrating to use. Here's how to navigate it. Getty Images The Social Security Administration's new AI-powered phone bot is coming, whether you're ready for it or not -- and apparently whether it's ready or not, too. Reports out in recent days indicate that the system has been struggling to handle seemingly simple tasks for people calling in with questions. I've been covering Social Security for some time now, so I'm well aware of the challenges confronting the agency, including severe layoffs, and how those challenges affect the more than 70 million people currently receiving Social Security benefits. I've called the agency myself multiple times to see how it's responding, or failing to. In the last few days, I've put the AI phone bot to the test, and far too often, it struggled with what seemed like straightforward questions and statements I made. At issue right now is a new telecommunications system that's being rolled out across the country. It started with the agency's national phone number and is working its way out to the all field offices and card centers nationwide, and all their local phone numbers. Central to it is an automated system that incorporates unspecified AI "enhancements." Whether those enhancements will make things better over the long haul remains to be seen. Below, I'll go over the details of what's happening, my experience contacting the SSA and provide a few tips to navigate the new phone bot if you have to call in. For more, don't miss the four ways you could potentially lose your Social Security benefits. Social Security's 'maddening' AI phone bot Earlier this month, The Washington Post reported on issues plaguing the Social Security Administration, and tucked in the middle of the article were some troubling details about the phone system. The article cited a frustrating experience for Jennifer Burdick, an attorney who represents people with or applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. Burdick noted, "many times when you say 'agent' it won't put you through to the hold line, it'll act like it didn't hear what you said." One of the Post's reporters tried it out for herself, only to have a similarly frustrating and dizzying experience. She presented the bot with an issue that would more than likely need to be handled by an agent: not receiving a Social Security check in April. The reporter explained the matter to the phone bot simply and succinctly, only to receive an automated reply with information about the 2025 COLA increase, Medicare Part B information, and other benefits available to recipients -- none of which were relevant or helpful. Only after eight attempts did the system respond correctly and begin transferring the call to a person. MSNBC last week picked up the story and shared a video of the reporter's "maddening" experience. (While that video refers to the tech as a chatbot, it's really more of a classic phone bot, apparently with some AI elements but different from AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.) Read More: Social Security Check Missing? Here's What to Do I tried calling the SSA to test the AI bot's skills Spurred by those accounts, I wanted to see for myself how the phone system was working. I called in not once, but 11 different times. Mostly my experience was much more positive, but when the phone bot went wrong, it went very wrong. When I asked, "Why is my payment lower than I thought it would be for this month?" the bot completely missed my point. It replied with the maximum benefit amounts for 2025 and how payments differ by age. I tried to clarify: "I'm already receiving benefits, and only this check is lower than it typically is" -- to which it replied that the SSA checks its records between October and March to determine if an account needs an adjustment. I repeated my initial question and received the strangest answer yet: "OK, direct deposit. If you're finished, feel free to hang up. Otherwise, how can I help you today?" Yeah, that's pretty maddening. Other times, it would take a long-winded route that did eventually lead me where I wanted to go. When I said, "I didn't receive my payment last month," the bot provided the full payment schedule for the month of May in detail but followed with, "To report a missing payment, just say 'agent,'" and when I did, it correctly sent me over to the next step. My takeaway: Maybe AI is working somewhere behind the scenes, but you can't trust it to understand natural language -- the way people speak in normal conversation -- which is something that AI chatbots like Gemini Live are getting really good at, which I know from experience. The trick, I discovered, was to forget about speaking to the phone bot conversationally. Instead, I hammered home on a single word: "agent." On five separate calls, when all I did was to say "agent" whenever prompted, I got past the phone bot and into the queue to wait for an actual human agent. (Given the long wait times typical of calling the SSA, I didn't stick around after that point.) So yay! Success after all. My tips for making the phone bot work for you Here's what I'd suggest when trying to deal with Social Security's new phone system. Prioritize getting to a person, not the problem The Social Security phone bot clearly has some issues to work through. Phone systems like this are notoriously bad -- think of those times you've called customer service for, well, just about any big business -- so you shouldn't assume it's going to be as understanding as when you're speaking to a more sophisticated AI bot like Gemini Live. When the bot asks you what you need help with, just continue to say you want to speak to an agent. Keep words to a minimum I think the success I had with the phone system could have been because I kept my responses to "agent" every time I was prompted to speak. Overexplaining to an ill-equipped AI bot likely won't yield the results you want. Don't call using speakerphone If the phone system already performs poorly, don't make it worse by introducing extra noise that can further degrade the experience, like when you call on speaker phone. Stick to using headphones that have good call quality or just have the phone to your ear and speak directly into the microphone when making your requests. Your mileage still may vary Even these tips may not prevent a poor call system from interpreting your request correctly. If it begins to send you in circles, hang up and call back to see if that can get you where you need to go faster. A spokesperson for the SSA told the Washington Post that the phone bot feature is constantly improving and several factors can affect the quality of the call, including background noise, call connection and speech clarity. None of these things seemed to be an issue on the Washington Post reporter's phone call. But my experience wasn't as awful as that, so maybe the system is getting better, at least a little. For more, don't miss what the experts are predicting for the 2026 COLA increase.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tough Work, Tight Margins: How Cattle Branding Is Evolving in Nebraska
On the Burdick Ranch, nestled in Nebraska's Sandhills, spring cattle branding is an annual act of community. The sheer scale of gathering, roping, vaccinating, and marking 900 calves with the family brand requires the work of roughly 60 volunteers, primarily family members and other cattle ranchers from the area. But it also requires hired help: local high school wrestlers who are paid for the rough, dirty task of toppling the calves and pinning them to the ground to be branded. Byron Burdick, 41, who manages operations for his family's midsize ranch, remembers a time when hiring help wasn't necessary, before the steady departure of young people from Cherry County in pursuit of city jobs and opportunities. 'When I was little, nobody paid anybody,' he recalled. Neighbors would bring their children to wrestle and hold the calves. 'Now we don't have the families.' Branding season represents the year's most significant expense for the Burdicks. The wages for the wrestlers, combined with the cost of the post-branding lunch, totals about $6,000—equivalent to the price of about four heifers. Over the eight decades the Burdicks have worked this land, their Black Angus herd has steadily grown in number and physical size, a result of modern equipment and evolving agricultural practices. Yet profit margins remain slim. 'We're not going broke by any means, but we're not getting rich. You have to love the lifestyle to continue doing it,' Burdick said. Burdick says he has seen increasing consumer demand for American-raised, grass-fed beef. And he hopes the Trump administration's tariffs will mean consumers will be less likely to buy imported meat at the grocery store. In the coming weeks and months, the Burdick family will load their horses into trailers and drive down gravel roads to the ranches of those same neighbors who offered their help. They will gather eight more times over the course of a year to rope and brand the calves of their peers, who are also, in a sense, their competitors.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Grand Marsh woman gets time served for helping man convicted of Juneau County homicide
MAUSTON − A 28-year-old Grand Marsh woman pleaded no contest Wednesday to helping a man who committed homicide and then burned the body. Crystal C. Teumer entered the plea to a charge of harboring or aiding a felon. No contest means she didn't admit guilt, but admitted there was enough evidence to convict her. Juneau County Circuit Judge Stacy Smith found Teumer guilty and sentenced her to 472 days Teumer had already served in jail. As part of a plea agreement, additional charges of being a party to the crime of mutilating a corpse, being a party to the crime of arson and two counts of felony bail jumping were all dismissed but considered during sentencing. Teumer's codefendant, Donald J. Dalberg, 48, of Grand Marsh, is scheduled for sentencing May 23 for first-degree intentional homicide in the Jan. 18, 2024, death of Floyd A. Burdick, 57, of Grand Marsh, hiding a corpse, being a party to the crime of mutilating a corpse, being a party to the crime of arson, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and 10 counts of felony bail jumping. A jury found Dalberg guilty of the charges on April 14. See our photos: Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln seniors pledge to play college sports on Commitment Day More local news: $500 signature bond set for former Milladore town treasurer accused of stealing $63,000 According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 17, 2024, Burdick told the person he lived with in Grand Marsh that he was going to pick up Teumer, because Burdick was afraid a domestic violence incident would occur between Teumer and her ex-boyfriend, Dalberg. Burdick's roommate became concerned and texted Burdick to be sure he was OK. The roommate received a text back that said Burdick was OK. The roommate said he received a text message from Teumer's phone that said, "It's done, I hope you're not mad," early on the morning of Jan. 18, 2024. The roommate said he spoke with Dalberg on the phone and was told Burdick had dropped Dalberg and Teumer off in Mauston. A person at Dalberg and Teumer's residence told officers that Burdick had picked up Teumer and Dalberg the evening of Jan. 17, 2024. The three had left in Burdick's vehicle. When police talked to Teumer, she said the three had driven around Juneau County, according to the complaint. Dalberg asked Burdick, who was driving, to stop the SUV because he wanted to give Teumer a hug, Teumer told police. Burdick stopped the car and Dalberg got out, walked to the back passenger's door, opened it and gave Teumer the hug, she told officers. He then got back in the SUV and Burdick started to drive away. Teumer said she then saw a bright flash, heard a loud bang and then heard Burdick say, "What the (expletive)." Teumer then saw two more bright flashes and heard two more loud bangs, according to the complaints. Teumer said she grabbed the steering wheel to keep the SUV on the road and they were able to get it stopped. Dalberg then pushed Burdick out of the driver's seat and began to drive himself. Teumer told investigators she didn't know where the two drove, but they pulled into a driveway and got stuck in the snow, according to the complaints. Dalberg removed Burdick's body from the vehicle, put it on the ground and covered him up with snow, according to the complaint. They then left the area. The couple went and got another vehicle and Teumer drove the second vehicle while Dalberg drove Burdick's SUV, according to the complaint. While they were driving, Teumer saw Dalberg throw Burdick's cellphone and a gun out the vehicle's window. They went to an area north of New Lisbon, Dalberg parked Burdick's vehicle and then Dalberg started Burdick's vehicle on fire, according to the complaint. Dalberg then got into the vehicle with Teumer and they went to the New Lisbon Kwik Trip where Dalberg bought more gas, according to the complaint. The two went back to where they have left Burdick's body and Teumer said she saw a fire start in the area where Burdick's body was located, according to the complaint. At 5:23 a.m. Jan. 18, 2024, deputies and the Necedah Fire Department responded to an area near Seventh Avenue and 28th Street in the Juneau County town of Necedah, for a report of a vehicle on fire in the middle of the road. When a deputy arrived, he saw the vehicle, which was found in the town of Clearfield, had been heavily damaged by fire. The vehicle was not occupied and there were no footprints around it. A license plate found near the vehicle showed it belonged to Burdick. At 8:41 a.m. Jan. 18, 2024, a 911 caller reported a body in the area of Juneau County M, just north of 25th Street in the town of Cutler. Deputies found Burdick's burned body. Burdick had three gunshot wounds to the head and his lower left leg was missing. Officers found Burdick's prosthetic leg that appeared to have been thrown from the body, according to the complaint. Officers could smell gasoline on the body. A medical examiner reported Burdick likely died from the gunshot wounds before he was set on fire. Contact Karen Madden kmadden@ Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Woman gets time served for aiding man convicted of Juneau County murder
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
NVA Appoints Ken Burdick Executive Chairman Ahead of Future IPO
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Veterinary Associates Group ('NVA'), a leading veterinary care organization, today announced it has strengthened its Board with the appointments of Ken Burdick as Executive Chairman and Dr. James 'Mike' McFarland as Director. These executives bring substantial healthcare and public company experience ahead of the company's future IPO. Burdick is a seasoned public company executive with more than 40 years of healthcare experience. He currently serves as Executive Chairman at LifeStance Health (NASDAQ: LFST), a leading U.S. provider of outpatient mental healthcare. Since joining LifeStance as Chairman and CEO in 2022, he has led significant financial and operational transformation at the company. Previously, he spent six years as CEO of WellCare Health Plans, during which time the company delivered superb performance in both topline and profit margin expansion, resulting in exceptional value creation prior to being acquired by Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC). He previously held senior leadership positions at United Healthcare and Cigna Corporation. Burdick brings extensive public and private board experience. He has also devoted decades of service to non-profit organizations, including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Tampa General Hospital. Dr. McFarland also brings substantial public company experience, including more than 40 years in the veterinary healthcare industry. For the past 11 years, he held senior leadership roles at Zoetis, Inc., including Group Director of United States Companion Animal Marketing, Executive Vice President and Group President of the Accelerated Growth Businesses, and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Before joining Zoetis, Mike spent 15 years in emergency medicine, including five years as the Medical Director for one of the country's first and largest after-hours emergency practices. Previously, he spent 13 years at Pfizer, Inc., serving as Group Director of CAD Veterinary Operations, Group Director of U.S. Veterinary Medical Services, and Director of Specialty Hospital Services for Pfizer Animal Health. Dr. McFarland earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. Greg Hartmann, NVA Chairman, will remain on the Board and remains invested in the company, reinforcing his enduring confidence in NVA's strategy and profitable growth opportunities. 'It is a privilege to welcome executives of their caliber,' said Hartmann. 'Ken's extensive public company and multi-site clinical experience will be a tremendous asset for NVA, our care teams and the veterinary profession. Mike brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and strategic acumen, shaped by decades of leadership in animal health, that will further strengthen our Board. I am excited to work closely with Ken, Mike, the Board and the NVA leadership team as we continue NVA's journey of value creation.' 'I am honored to lead NVA as it continues on its pathway to becoming a blue-chip veterinary care company,' added Burdick. 'NVA's mission, culture, and commitment to compassionate clinical excellence resonate strongly with me, and I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team as we continue to build on NVA's strong foundation to create long-term value for all stakeholders.' 'Having spent my career in animal health, I've long admired NVA's focus on quality care, community, and clinical autonomy,' said McFarland. 'I'm pleased to join the Board and help advance NVA's continued growth and commitment to supporting veterinary teams and the pets they serve.' About NVA National Veterinary Associates Group is defining the future of pet health. NVA is a community of approximately 1,300+ premier locations across North America consisting of general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos Veterinary Health, which consists of world-class specialty and emergency hospitals, equine hospitals and pet resorts. For more information, visit
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Judge halts evictions from VT hotel motel program
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – A Vermont Superior Court judge placed a Temporary Restraining Order on the Vermont Department for Children and Families this week, blocking its ability to remove people from the state's General Assistance Emergency Housing Program, also known as the hotel-motel program, for the time being. Judge Sam Hoar signed the order after Vermont Legal Aid brought a complaint about recent evictions to the court, saying they had heard from people who claimed to have been kicked out of their hotel and motel rooms without notice. The order mandates Vermont DCF can no longer evict anyone as long as it's active, must give people in the program advance notice before terminating their vouchers, and must give voucher holders a chance to challenge their eviction. The ruling marks a big win for homelessness advocates in Vermont to start the month of May, as no one will be removed from their hotel or motel rooms for at least the next two weeks. 'The people in this program, they are elderly, they are disabled, they have children … They don't deserve to be treated like they don't matter,' said Leah Burdick, an attorney with Vermont Legal Aid who helped get the Temporary Restraining Order put in place. 'This is an important victory for the rule of law and the people of Vermont, because the judge said 'Yes, people in these motels have due process rights, and they must be notified before they can be told to leave.'' Burdick said Friday that ever since last year when the Vermont Legislature and Governor Phil Scott approved an 80 day cap on how long people are allowed to stay in the program, some people have complained about being kicked out before they believe their 80 days are up, and only being given hours to remove all of their belongings from their rooms. 'What we are really concerned about is these day-of, hours-before a checkout time, when they had every expectation that they were still eligible for another set of days, that they were told, 'Nope, get out,'' Burdick said. 'This order tells the department: That's not how this works.' The order will now remain in place until there is a hearing, which has been set for Friday, May 16. At that hearing, Burdick said Vermont Legal Aid hopes to get a Preliminary Injunction, which would basically elongate the period of time Vermont DCF is prohibited form evicting anyone. Chris Winters, Vermont DCF Commissioner, commented on the Temporary Restraining Order Friday afternoon, saying the department will comply with the order, but not indicating how they might respond to it in court. 'DCF is in receipt of the Court Order and is enacting changes to ensure compliance with this temporary order,' Winters wrote. 'Households are receiving notification of their rights to maintain housing and appeal any denial or termination.' When asked how far in advance she thinks people should be notified of their upcoming evictions, Burdick didn't give an exact number of days, but said it should be long enough to where people can dispute it if they want. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
