Former President Donald Trump's eligibility in the 2024 election could hinge on how the Supreme Court interprets a section of the 14th Amendment that has not been used for more than a century. The Colorado Supreme Court, which disqualified Trump from the state's ballot next year, said Section 3 applies to presidents, not just appointees and members of Congress. The court's decision would apply to similar challenges in all states. |
What, me worry? Trump rallies his supporters last week. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) |
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2. TERRIBLE AI REVELATION |
More than 3,200 images of child sexual abuse are in a key database used for training AI image generators, according to a new report from the Stanford Internet Observatory. What's worse, the images have made it easier for AI to create new child abuse sexual materials. The database, called LAION, responded to the report by temporarily removing all its datasets. |
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Rite Aid can't use facial recognition technology for five years under the terms of a settlement with the FTC, which had been investigating allegations that the drugstore chain's facial recognition system was incorrectly identifying Black, Latino, Asian and woman shoppers. Rite Aid disagreed with the findings but accepted the terms of the settlement. |
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4. LEAD-POISONED CHILDREN |
Parents of children poisoned by lead in cinnamon applesauce pouches are learning that it can take years to see the heavy metal's effects on their brain development. The better news is that parents may be able to offset the harm by detecting the poisoning early, giving kids a diet high in vitamin D, calcium and iron, and encouraging brain development with a stimulating environment. |
The recalled applesauce pouches used cinnamon from a plant in Ecuador where lead was mixed into the spice. (FDA via AP) |
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5. FIGHTING THE VACCINE SLIDE |
A record share of kindergartners began school last year without required vaccinations as more parents claimed exemptions and more states made it easier to claim them for any reason, not just religious or medical ones. While 3% of kindergartners may not sound like a lot, it takes about a 95% vaccination rate to prevent the spread of diseases like measles and polio. Protecting your kids from deadly diseases — we thought this was a no-brainer. |
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| Indiana underestimated what it would need to fund Medicaid by nearly $1 billion over the next two years, its budget director said, as demand for long-term care and other services grew faster than expected. The state is working on proposals to control costs, which is raising concerns about access to the program, such as autism services. |
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The affordable housing crisis and rising costs of caring for pets has led more families to surrender them to shelters, which have become packed with animals — especially with larger dogs and pit bulls — with too few people stepping forward to adopt them. Some shelters that had not been euthanizing pets have begun doing it again, advocates say. Adopting this princess/baby/goofball is one of the best things we've ever done. You can adopt, too! |
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The IRS is waiving penalty fees for people who owe less than $100,000 on back taxes from 2020 and 2021, a move that will save those people, businesses and tax-exempt groups about $1 billion. The agency said it was waiving the fees because it didn't send payment reminders during the pandemic. Apologies if "IRS WAIVER" made it sound as if you'd be getting a break on future taxes. Had that been the case, this story would be much higher in today's newsletter. |
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9. GIFT GUIDE: CHALLENGE CASES |
There's always something thoughtful you can get for someone — even the person who already has everything. Christine Montanti of Social Life Magazine showed us some gifts under $100 including a cool leather journal, some very luxe haircare products and an insulated puffer-style holder for your wallet, cell and water bottle. |
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10. STOCKING STUFFER GIFT GUIDE |
Consumer expert Claudia Lombana shared a couple rules of thumb for stocking stuffers: Spend $5 to $15 per item or follow the traditional approach of Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. If you're tired and just want someone to tell you what to buy, she has some ideas for you. |
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