Barabak: Here's why Jeffrey Epstein's tangled web is conspiratorial catnip

The 2026 Senate races are shaping up to be a tricky battleground for both parties. While Democrats face an uphill climb to flip seats, Republicans aren’t exactly cruising either—they’re already dealing with messy primaries and candidate struggles in key states that could decide control of the chamber.

Editor’s Note: Control of the Senate is always a high-stakes game, but 2026’s map is serving up complications for both sides. For Republicans, internal fights and weak candidates could sabotage their chances to hold their slim majority, even if Democrats have fewer opportunities to gain ground. It’s a reminder that midterms aren’t just about who’s favored—it’s about who can avoid tripping over their own feet.

Israel has issued evacuation warnings to residents in specific areas of central Gaza, signaling potential military action as ceasefire negotiations stall. The orders target neighborhoods in Deir al-Balah, urging people to leave designated blocks ahead of what appears to be an escalation in operations. Meanwhile, talks to end the war remain deadlocked, leaving civilians in limbo.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another headline—it’s a sign that the war could be entering a new, more dangerous phase. Evacuation orders often precede intense military strikes, and with ceasefire talks going nowhere, civilians are caught in the middle. For anyone following the conflict, this underscores how fragile the situation is and how quickly things can deteriorate. It’s a grim reminder that diplomacy isn’t keeping pace with the violence on the ground.

Researchers have uncovered a network of hundreds of automated accounts (or "bots") on X (formerly Twitter) that are using AI to flood conservative users with pro-Trump messaging. But here’s the twist: The bots are now in disarray over how to handle the renewed scrutiny of Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Some are doubling down on defending him, while others seem to be avoiding the topic altogether.

Editor’s Note: Bot networks are nothing new, but this one highlights how even automated propaganda systems can struggle when real-world scandals get messy. The fact that these AI-driven accounts are tripping over themselves to spin (or dodge) the Epstein connection shows how brittle these influence campaigns can be—and how hard it is to control a narrative once it starts backfiring. For regular users, it’s a reminder that a lot of what you see online isn’t just biased—it might not even be human.

A group of Gen Z diners got a nasty surprise when their restaurant bill revealed two steaks they ordered were priced at $52 each—labeled only as "MKT" (short for "market price") on the menu. The viral TikTok video shows their shock, sparking debate over whether restaurants should be clearer about pricing.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about an expensive meal—it’s a reminder that vague menu terms can catch anyone off guard, especially younger customers who might not be familiar with industry jargon. With dining costs already soaring, transparency matters. The backlash suggests restaurants might want to rethink how they list prices unless they’re keen on TikTok shaming.

Mike Rowe, best known for his show Dirty Jobs, is sounding the alarm about AI’s impact on white-collar work—think office jobs, coding, and even creative fields. But he’s not all doom and gloom. He argues that skilled trades (plumbing, welding, electricians, etc.) are AI-proof and could see a resurgence as tech disrupts other sectors. His message? Young people might want to skip the four-year degree and consider hands-on careers that robots can’t easily replace.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another "AI is coming for your job" story. Rowe’s take flips the script by highlighting where humans still have the edge—real-world, physical skills that AI struggles to replicate. It’s a wake-up call for how we think about education and career paths, especially as automation reshapes the economy. Whether you agree or not, it’s a conversation worth having as AI keeps advancing.