SUMMARY: Nine men who escaped a New Orleans jail in May through a hole behind a toilet and over a barbed wire fence pleaded not guilty to escape charges. The escape, captured on video, is among the largest recent jailbreaks in the U.S. A tenth inmate, Derrick Groves, remains at large. The men appeared via Zoom for arraignment at Louisiana State Penitentiary and face additional charges beyond simple escape, punishable by two to five years. Authorities found the escape unnoticed for hours, with a taunting message left at the scene. Sixteen others, mostly relatives, were arrested for aiding the fugitives.

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SUMMARY: Kayla Chege, a 15-year-old Kansas student, uses AI like ChatGPT for mundane advice but avoids homework help. Teens increasingly treat AI as companions, seeking emotional support and advice. A Common Sense Media study found 70% of teens have used AI companions, with a third discussing serious issues with them, raising concerns about social skill development and mental health. Experts worry AI’s constant validation may hinder teens’ ability to handle real-world relationships. Risks include exposure to harmful content and diminished creativity. Researchers urge parents and educators to monitor AI use as it becomes pervasive, shaping adolescence alongside smartphones and social media.

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SUMMARY: Coca-Cola announced a U.S. release of a cane sugar-sweetened version of its soda this fall, responding to consumer demand for more natural ingredients. While American sodas have typically used high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) due to its lower cost and stability in acidic beverages, cane sugar options, like Mexican Coke, have been niche offerings. Nutrition experts say cane sugar and HFCS provide similar calories and health risks, including obesity and diabetes. HFCS remains cheaper largely because of U.S. tariffs on sugar and government corn subsidies. Meanwhile, diet sodas use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which the WHO labels as possibly carcinogenic, though the FDA deems it safe when used properly.

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