What ended before it could even start…Fox News and Dominion’s trial. Yesterday, Fox News agreed to settle its defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. Dominion sued Fox News for falsely claiming its voting machines were rigged against former President Trump in 2020 — asking for $1.6 billion in damages. The court system went through with a pre-trial hearing and jury selection. Now, everyone is home earlier than expected. The 11th-hour settlement also means none of Fox’s big names like Tucker Carlson and Rupert Murdoch will be testifying. Dominion said “Fox has admitted to telling lies” and that “money is accountability.” In a statement, Fox said they “acknowledge the court's rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false” and hope the settlement “allows the country to move forward from these issues.” However, that could be wishful thinking. Lawsuits involving Dominion and Fox News over similar defamation claims are making their way through the courts.
What's raising alarms in the parent group chat...ADHD meds. Yesterday, a new study found that 1 in 4 teens reported misusing ADHD prescription drugs. Researchers surveyed more than 231,000 students in the eighth, 10th, and 12th grades between 2005 and 2020. Schools with the highest rates of students with prescribed ADHD meds had a 36% higher risk of teens misusing the stimulants. Predominantly white schools and families where parents held a higher level of education were also more likely to see misuse. Health experts said students abuse the medication due to academic stress, but reportedly also to get a high when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Now, researchers say the findings are a “major wake-up call.” They noted prescription meds are safe to use…when needed. Otherwise, children and teens could face long-term effects like higher rates of depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
What’s got people talking…Oklahoma. Yesterday, a sheriff and two others were suspended from the sheriff’s association after a racist recording of them went public in McCurtain County. Last week, the McCurtain Gazette-News released clips of a recorded conversation where four officials are heard saying they want to hang Black people and hire hitmen to kill two local journalists. It sparked anger in the southeastern county, with residents and Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) calling on the officials to resign. Now, three of them have been suspended from the membership group. The sheriff’s office released a statement claiming the recordings were “altered” but didn’t explain how. Officials also said the recordings were illegal by not receiving consent from at least one of the parties involved and that there’s an investigation into how the recording went down. The newspaper said the audio was legally obtained.
Where there are updates…Missouri. Yesterday, the 84-year-old man accused of shooting Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager, in Kansas City turned himself into police custody. He's since been released on bail. Meanwhile, Yarl is recovering at home from two gunshot wounds, including one to the head. Russia. Yesterday, a judge upheld Evan Gershkovich's detention and denied his legal team’s request to free him on bail. The Wall Street Journal reporter will stay in prison until at least May 29 as he faces espionage charges.
Who’s got AI on the mind…Elon Musk. Earlier this week, the billionaire said he’s going to create “TruthGPT.” He said it’ll be an alternative to the popular ChatGPT and will act as a “maximum truth-seeking AI” that's “unlikely to annihilate humans.” Someone’s been watching “The Terminator.” …Oh and speaking of all things AI, Drake and The Weeknd’s newest collab, “Heart on My Sleeve,” has been pulled from streaming services…because they didn’t create it, but AI did. And one artist is refusing to accept an award for an AI-generated image. Talk about work smarter not harder.
Who’s saying ‘I know that’s right’...Megan Thee Stallion.
Whose comeback might inspire another Lifetime movie…Damar Hamlin.
Who's saying 'all that glitters is not gold (wine glasses)'...“Love Is Blind” contestants. | 
