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Tag: Instagram

  • An Instagram data breach reportedly exposed the personal info of 17.5 million users

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    If you received a bunch of password reset requests from Instagram recently, you’re not alone. As reported by Malwarebytes, an antivirus software company, there was a data breach revealing the “sensitive information” of 17.5 million Instagram users. Malwarebytes added that the leak included Instagram usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more.

    The company added that the “data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals.” Malwarebytes noted in an email to its customers that it discovered the breach during its routine dark web scan and that it’s tied to a potential incident related to an Instagram API exposure from 2024.

    The reported breach has resulted in users receiving several emails from Instagram about password reset requests. According to Malwarebytes, the leaked information could lead to more serious attacks, like phishing attempts or account takeovers. Meta hasn’t released an official statement about the latest incident, but it’s not the first time Instagram’s parent company has been in hot water for data breaches. If you haven’t already, it’s always a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication and change your password. Even better, you can review what devices are logged into your Instagram account in Meta’s Accounts Center.

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    Jackson Chen

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  • Zach Bryan’s New Wife Honored His Late Mom With Her Wedding Dress

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    Zach Bryan tied the knot with Samantha Leonard last week, in a private San Sebastián ceremony on New Year’s Eve. After a whirlwind romance, the couple was married in the enchanting Basílica de Santa María del Coro.

    Though the Spanish setting was worlds away from the Oklahoma landscape where the country singer-songwriter was raised, there was one important touch of home in the proceedings. According to Bryan, Leonard’s dress incorporated a piece of lace from the dress his late mother wore during her wedding. (Bryan’s mother, Annette DeAnn Bryan, died in 2016, when the singer was just 20 years old. He named his first album, DeAnn, after her.)

    The white dress, designed by Cavanagh Baker and handmade in her New York City atelier, is a veritable riot of lace. On their website, the brand noted that more than 30 yards of French Chantilly lace went into the construction, and the 600 buttons adorning it are also covered in lace. It was topped off by long sleeves and a softly structured bodice.

    On his Instagram account, Zach Bryan explained the heirloom addition along with a photo of Leonard getting reading. “Samantha went out of her way to put the lace from my mom’s wedding dress on her dress, and I cried for a long time,” he wrote. “It meant so much, honey, thank you.” A small gesture, which the artist wanted to celebrate by also posting a photo of his mother on her wedding day. He added, “I wish you were here right now.” Leonard’s simple yet loving tribute transformed the already special dress into something more meaningful.

    After a slew of snapshots from the wedding—including a video of him performing during the reception—Bryan shared the album art from his upcoming release With Heaven on Top, which is due out on Friday. “See you guys then,” he said. “Hope you don’t hate it.”

    Originally published in Vanity Fair Italy.

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    Alfredo Toriello

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  • Fans Criticize Kim K After North West Debuts Bridge Piercing, Black Grills & 106-Carat Pendant In Tween TikTok Videos

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    Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty

    North West is once again at the center of online conversation, this time for a bold new look that has fans and critics sounding off across social media about her mom, Kim K’s, parenting.

    The 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West sparked buzz over the weekend after appearing in a series of TikTok videos posted on Jan. 3. The clips were shared on the joint “Kim and North” TikTok account she shares with her mom, where North could be seen debuting a vibrant blue wig and what appeared to be a bridge piercing across her nose.

    In the videos, North and a friend danced and lip-synced to various songs while wearing several silver, ball-shaped facial piercings. The coordinated look quickly caught viewers’ attention, especially the bridge piercing, a horizontal piercing across the nose, which is likely faux. North has previously experimented with temporary face piercings and tattoos as part of her evolving personal style, sometimes drawing backlash online, PEOPLE noted. Notably, in December, the youngster popped up on TikTok with a faux septum piercing.

    The almost-teenager, who is the eldest of Kardashian’s four children with ex Kanye West, 48, also showed off a new dental accessory. In the clips, North appeared to be wearing black grills, following her recent reveal of sparkly, pointed grills she shared on social media during Christmas.

    Fashion-wise, North leaned fully into statement styling. Alongside the piercings and wig, she wore one of her most talked-about Christmas gifts: a 106-carat diamond skull pendant gifted by her mother. PEOPLE reports that the piece designed by Alex Moss includes a spike necklace chain adorned with a cartoon skull pendant with “North” engraved on the back.

    The dramatic piece was paired with an oversized Balenciaga jersey, a pleated mini skirt, tights, fuzzy boots, spiky cuff bracelets, and a black shoulder bag. The metallic accessories tied seamlessly into the edgy facial jewelry, creating a look that felt both playful and intentional.

    Adding fuel to the viral moment, Kardashian left the comments section open on several of the TikTok videos, something she rarely does. The decision quickly sent the internet into a frenzy, with thousands weighing in on North’s appearance, confidence, and future.

    Social media reacts to North West’s new look and piercing.

    “I just know Kanye’s stressing rn,” one TikTok user penned.

    Another commented, “I can see her making her own music in the future.”

    A third wrote simply, “Cooler than me and I’m 18.”

    Others speculated about the comments being enabled without Kim Kardashian’s approval. “North turning on the comments without Mama Kim knowing.”

    Criticism surfaced as well, particularly on Instagram, where some users questioned North’s maturity and her parents’ influence.

    “This is when your mom is your friend and not your mother,” one commenter wrote.

    “She looks more like she’s in her 30s. Why can’t kids just be kids like back in the day?” another added.

    Interestingly, as mixed reactions over North West’s look grew online, the teen’s newly launched Instagram account, which debuted Dec. 20, was deleted amid the attention. Page Six confirmed the profile “wasn’t available” or “may have been removed” when searched. It remains unclear whether North or her parents shut down the account, or if Instagram removed it.

    What do you think is going on with North West’s social media presence? Thoughts?

    RELATED: Kim Kardashian Klaims Kanye Thinks She ‘Faked’ Paris Robbery ‘For A TV Show’: ‘That Was A Knife To My Heart’

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    Shannon Dawson

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  • Garden Grove police officer hospitalized after being hit by a vehicle while responding to call

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    A Garden Grove Police officer was in the hospital in critical but stable condition Sunday after being hit by a vehicle while responding to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Police Department.

    Shortly after midnight on Sunday morning, officers were in the area of Brookhurst Street and Stanford Avenue investigating a report of a man threatening people with a knife at a small commercial strip mall, according to Sgt. Nick Jensen, a public information officer.

    Police arrived, and as they attempted to arrest him, he took off running and there was a pursuit on foot. The officer was then struck by a vehicle.

    Anaheim, Orange and Westminster police were part of the response, according to post on Instagram by Garden Grove police.

    The suspect was arrested and has been charged with several felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats. Jensen identified him as Lonnie Johnson, 34, with no permanent address.

    Police were not yet releasing the name of the injured officer, as relatives were being notified.

    The driver of the vehicle that hit the officer stayed on the scene and cooperated with police, Jensen said. He was not arrested.

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    Los Angeles Times

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  • Keeler: CU Buffs transfers wonder what 2025 under Deion Sanders would’ve looked like if they stayed: ‘They missed out’

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    Noah Fenske had his luggage with him Saturday. It wasn’t Louis.

    “Just Under Armour,” the former CU Buffs offensive lineman texted me from his vacation in Nashville.

    While on the road with his fiancée, Fenske’s also been keeping an eye on an old CU teammate, Alex Harkey. Oregon’s starting right tackle? Yeah, he used to be a Buff.

    Harkey, a 6-foot-6, 327-pound redshirt senior, is prepping for a Friday night showdown with Indiana — and another former CU player, the Hoosiers’ Kahlil Benson — in one College Football Playoff semifinal. The Ducks’ bruiser helped Oregon put up 245 passing yards and convert four fourth-down conversions on The Best Defense Money Can Buy, blanking Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl.

    He’d transferred into CU as a 305-pounder out of Tyler (Texas) Junior College, a 3-star who was weighing offers from Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion. After appearing in 12 games, largely as a reserve guard, Harkey was one of the kids from CU’s 2022 recruiting class swept out in the great Deion Sanders roster purge during the spring of 2023.

    Fenske, who played in seven games with the Buffs in ’22, was Harkey’s roommate at CU. He got swept away, too. Under Armour was out, Louis Vuitton luggage was in.

    “(Harkey has) done incredible, man,” Fenske gushed. “Because when he first came in (to CU), he wasn’t what he is now. And just seeing his transformation from being a (backup) guard on a 1-11 team to being a first-round or second-round (NFL) draft pick …”

    Big Alex could play. So could wideout Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State). And cornerback Simeon Harris (Fresno State). And quarterback Owen McCown, once he’d had some more brisket. McCown, who played as a wafer-thin true freshman at CU in ’22, threw for 30 touchdowns at UTSA this past fall — including three in a 57-20 win over Florida International in the First Responder Bowl.

    “We just stay connected, support each other’s success,” Harris, who still belongs to a group chat of former Buffs, told me over the weekend. “You’ve got to expect the unexpected. That (purge) hit us all in the mouth.”

    CU fans talk a lot — a lot — about 1-11 in 2022. About rock bottom. About Coach Prime lighting the candle for the climb out of obscurity.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Instagram chief: AI is so ubiquitous ‘it will be more practical to fingerprint real media than fake media’

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    It’s no secret that AI-generated content took over our social media feeds in 2025. Now, Instagram’s top exec Adam Mosseri has made it clear that he expects AI content to overtake non-AI imagery and the significant implications that shift has for its creators and photographers.

    Mosseri shared the thoughts in a lengthy post about the broader trends he expects to shape Instagram in 2026. And he offered a notably candid assessment on how AI is upending the platform. “Everything that made creators matter—the ability to be real, to connect, to have a voice that couldn’t be faked—is now suddenly accessible to anyone with the right tools,” he wrote. “The feeds are starting to fill up with synthetic everything.”

    But Mosseri doesn’t seem particularly concerned by this shift. He says that there is “a lot of amazing AI content” and that the platform may need to rethink its approach to labeling such imagery by “fingerprinting real media, not just chasing fake.”

    From Mosseri (emphasis his):

    Social media platforms are going to come under increasing pressure to identify and label AI-generated content as such. All the major platforms will do good work identifying AI content, but they will get worse at it over time as AI gets better at imitating reality. There is already a growing number of people who believe, as I do, that it will be more practical to fingerprint real media than fake media. Camera manufacturers could cryptographically sign images at capture, creating a chain of custody.

    On some level, it’s easy to understand how this seems like a more practical approach for Meta. As we’ve previously reported, technologies that are meant to identify AI content, like watermarks, have proved unreliable at best. They are easy to remove and even easier to ignore altogether. Meta’s own labels are far from clear and the company, which has spent tens of billions of dollars on AI this year alone, has admitted it can’t reliably detect AI-generated or manipulated content on its platform.

    That Mosseri is so readily admitting defeat on this issue, though, is telling. AI slop has won. And when it comes to helping Instagram’s 3 billion users understand what is real, that should largely be someone else’s problem, not Meta’s. Camera makers — presumably phone makers and actual camera manufacturers — should come up with their own system that sure sounds a lot like watermarking to “to verify authenticity at capture.” Mosseri offers few details about how this would work or be implemented at the scale required to make it feasible.

    Mosseri also doesn’t really address the fact that this is likely to alienate the many photographers and other Instagram creators who have already grown frustrated with the app. The exec regularly fields complaints from the group who want to know why Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t consistently surface their posts to their on followers.

    But Mosseri suggests those complaints stem from an outdated vision of what Instagram even is. The feed of “polished” square images, he says, “is dead.” Camera companies, in his estimation, are “are betting on the wrong aesthetic” by trying to “make everyone look like a professional photographer from the past.” Instead, he says that more “raw” and “unflattering” images will be how creators can prove they are real, and not AI. In a world where Instagram has more AI content than not, creators should prioritize images and videos that intentionally make them look bad.

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    Karissa Bell

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  • The Atlanta Voice 2025 Year in Review: A Year of Legacy, Leadership, and Looking Forward

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    In 2025, The Atlanta Voice reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Black-owned media in Atlanta, honoring nearly six decades of legacy while embracing innovation to meet the moment. The year stood as a powerful reflection of where the paper has been, where it stands, and where it is boldly headed.

    From launching new storytelling platforms and opening creative community spaces to earning major civic recognition and expanding its newsroom, 2025 marked a pivotal chapter in the publication’s ongoing mission to inform, uplift, and advocate for Atlanta’s Black communities.

    Preserving Black History Through New Media

    This year brought an expansion of storytelling through the launch of In The Black: Legacy of Legends, a video series dedicated to capturing and preserving the stories of Black leaders, pioneers, and cultural figures whose impact has shaped Atlanta and the nation.

    The series reflects a long-standing commitment to honoring elders and documenting lived experiences that too often go unrecorded. By embracing video storytelling, the newsroom bridged generational gaps, ensuring Black history is not only written, but seen and heard. At its core, the initiative reinforces a belief that Black communities must continue to control their own narratives.

    Strengthening the Newsroom

    The reporting team grew in 2025 with the addition of journalist Tabius McCoy, further strengthening the paper’s commitment to rigorous, community-centered journalism.  McCoy brought fresh perspective and a deep respect for the mission, contributing coverage that informs, challenges, and reflects the realities of Atlanta’s Black communities. His arrival underscored continued investment in the next generation of storytellers while upholding the standards that have defined the newspaper for decades.

    A Historic Honor for a Lasting Legacy

    The Atlanta Voice Publisher, Janis Ware (left) and her sister, Dr. Rhonda Ware (right). Photo by Jazmine Brazier/The Atlanta Voice

    One of the most significant milestones of the year came with the induction of Publisher Janis Ware and her late father, J. Lowell Ware, into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame.  The honor recognized their enduring contributions to journalism and the preservation of Black-owned media in Atlanta. J. Lowell Ware’s leadership guided the paper through eras of profound social change. Janis Ware has carried that legacy forward—navigating the modern media landscape with vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to community accountability.  The dual induction symbolized a bridge between generations and reaffirmed the publication’s lasting influence in Atlanta’s media history.

    In another first, a Midday Open House welcomed community members, partners, and supporters into the organization’s space for a celebration rooted in transparency and connection.  Guests engaged directly with staff, learned more about the work behind the headlines, and celebrated the paper’s role as a trusted voice in Atlanta. The event reflected a long-held belief by the publication: journalism is strongest when it is accessible, relational, and grounded in the communities it serves.

    A New Creative Chapter: WAREhouse Studios

    The year also marked the opening of WAREhouse Studios, a creative and production space designed to support multimedia storytelling, collaboration, and community engagement.  The studio represents an investment not only in the future of the publication but in the broader ecosystem of Black creatives and storytellers. WAREhouse Studios positions the organization to expand its digital and visual storytelling capabilities while creating new opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and cultural preservation.

    Recognized as a Legacy Business

    Recognition came in the form of the Invest Atlanta Legacy Business Grant, honoring the newspaper’s longstanding economic and cultural impact on the city.  The designation highlighted resilience, adaptability, and the importance of one of Atlanta’s historic Black-owned institutions. The grant serves as both recognition and reinforcement—acknowledging the continued role the paper plays in shaping civic dialogue and sustaining Black entrepreneurship.

    Leadership Honored on a Citywide Stage

    Photo By Trarell Torrence Credit: Photo by Trarell Torrence

    Publisher Janis Ware was also named a 2025 Salute to Women of Achievement honoree by the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, recognizing women whose leadership and service have made a lasting difference in the community.  The honor reflected decades of dedication not only to journalism but to equity, representation, and the preservation of Black-owned media in an era of consolidation and change.

    Investing in Black Entrepreneurship: In The Black-Black Business Directory

    Economic empowerment remained a key focus with the expansion of the In The Black- Black Business Directory, a growing digital resource designed to spotlight, support, and sustain Black-owned businesses across metro Atlanta.  More than a listing, the directory serves as a tool for visibility, connection, and the circulation of Black dollars—making it easier for readers, residents, and institutions to intentionally support Black entrepreneurship. Integrated into the publication’s digital ecosystem, the directory reinforces a role that extends beyond storytelling to active community investment.  The initiative aligns with a long-held belief that storytelling and economic justice are deeply connected. Highlighting Black-owned businesses alongside coverage of civic leadership, culture, and history reflects a holistic approach to community advocacy, one that recognizes ownership, access, and opportunity as essential parts of progress.

    Digital Reach and Community Engagement

    Digital growth continued throughout 2025, demonstrating expanding reach and influence across platforms.

    Facebook led performance with 5.6 million views and 1.6 million visitors, while Instagram generated 2.4 million views and reached 1.1 million users.  On X, our content received 532,000 impressions, expanding our visibility in real-time conversations.  Emerging and professional platforms also contributed to our digital footprint. , while Threads recorded 23,000 views and LinkedIn achieved 16,000 impressions. 

    Together, these milestones underscore the publication’s ability to connect with audiences across generations while maintaining the depth and credibility that define its journalism.

    Looking Ahead

    As 2025 comes to a close, the year stands as a testament to the power of legacy paired with innovation. From honoring the past to building new platforms, opening doors, and creating space for future generations, the work continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its founding mission.  Nearly 60 years after its founding, The Atlanta Voice remains a trusted voice for Atlanta’s Black communities, telling stories that matter, preserving history, and helping shape what comes next.

    The conversation continues beyond these pages. Readers can stay connected by following The Atlanta Voice on social media, subscribing to our newsletters, and visiting theatlantavoice.com for ongoing coverage of Atlanta’s Black communities.

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    Staff Report

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  • Barry Manilow reveals lung cancer diagnosis, reschedules shows for surgery

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    Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The singer shared a statement on Instagram revealing his diagnosis and that he needs to reschedule his January shows in order to have surgery to remove a spot. Manilow shared that doctors found the spot after a doctor ordered an MRI over his case of bronchitis. “As many of you know, I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks. Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow said in his statement. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news.” “The doctors do not believe it has spread, and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns,” Manilow continued.Manilow shared that while his January shows will be rescheduled, he plans to be back performing in February in Las Vegas. He ended his message encouraging everyone to get tested if they ever feel like something is wrong.

    Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

    The singer shared a statement on Instagram revealing his diagnosis and that he needs to reschedule his January shows in order to have surgery to remove a spot.

    Manilow shared that doctors found the spot after a doctor ordered an MRI over his case of bronchitis.

    “As many of you know, I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks. Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow said in his statement. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news.”

    “The doctors do not believe it has spread, and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns,” Manilow continued.

    Manilow shared that while his January shows will be rescheduled, he plans to be back performing in February in Las Vegas.

    He ended his message encouraging everyone to get tested if they ever feel like something is wrong.

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  • Instagram’s new AI tool lets you control your algorithm

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Instagram is rolling out a new tool called Your Algorithm that gives you direct control over the videos that fill your Reels tab. Your interests shift as time moves on. Now your feed can shift with you in real time.

    Instagram says this new feature uses AI to help you see the topics that shape your Reels and tune them with a few taps. It has already started rolling out in the United States and will roll out globally in English soon.

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    5 SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY ONLINE

    Why Instagram created Your Algorithm for Reels

    Instagram wants your feed to reflect what you care about right now. Your Algorithm gives you a clear view of the topics Instagram thinks you like and then lets you adjust them while you watch Reels.

    First, click on the Reels icon. It looks like a play button inside a rounded rectangle at the bottom of your screen.

    Instagram’s new Your Algorithm tool gives you a clear view of the topics shaping your Reels feed. (Cyverguy.com)

    How to see and control your Reels algorithm

    When you watch a Reel, look for the small icon in the upper right corner. It looks like two lines with hearts.

    Tap that icon to open Your Algorithm. From there, you can guide your feed by using three controls.

    1) See your top interests

    At the top of the screen, you will see a list of topics Instagram believes match your interests. This gives you a snapshot of what shapes your Reels.

    2) Tune your preferences

    You can type in topics you want to see more or less of. Your Reels feed updates based on those changes. You can also choose what you want to see less of by tapping Add, then entering a topic you want Instagram to reduce in your feed.

    SOCIAL MEDIA VERIFICATION SYSTEMS LOSE POWER AS SCAMMERS PURCHASE CHECKMARKS TO APPEAR LEGITIMATE

    3) Share your algorithm

    If you want to show friends what topics shape your feed, tap the Share to Story option on the Your Algorithm screen. Instagram will open a Story preview. Then tap Your Story to post it or Close Friends if you want a smaller group to see it.

    Instagram says this is only the start. The company plans to bring the same level of control to the Explore tab and other parts of the app soon.

    Instagram app on an Iphone

    Instagram rolls out a new “Your Algorithm” feature in the United States that uses AI to let users adjust the topics shaping their Reels feed in real time. (Cyberguy.com)

    What this means to you

    This update puts you in charge of the content you spend time with. Instead of hoping the algorithm reads your signals, you can now tell it what you want. That means fewer random videos and more topics that reflect your current interests. It can also help you discover fresh creators who match what you enjoy right now.

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    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com   

    Japan Instagram

    Instagram introduces a new “Your Algorithm” tool that lets users adjust the topics influencing their Reels feed using AI as the feature begins rolling out in the United States. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Your Algorithm gives you a new level of control that feels long overdue. It makes Reels more personal and reduces the guesswork that often shapes social feeds. As this expands to more parts of Instagram, your experience may feel more intentional and less overwhelming.

    What topics do you plan to add or remove first with Your Algorithm? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • How parents can help teens develop healthy social media and phone habits

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    Helping teens develop healthy habits around social media use and screen time is important when they first receive a smartphone. Pediatric psychologist Ann-Louise Lockhart, an Instagram brand spokesperson and author of the new book “Love the Teen You Have,” joins “CBS Mornings” to share some advice and tools, such as Instagram Teen Accounts, that parents can use to help their teens. For more information on Instagram Teen Accounts, visit familycenter.meta.com. (Sponsored by Instagram)

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  • This entrepreneur’s product went viral on TikTok. Scammers quickly swooped in.

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    Michelle Mildred is the proud entrepreneur behind the company Coloring Your Own. She’s not the owner of a company called “Flolyed Shop,” which is just one of the many sites posting fake ads using her face and voice. 

    The single mother says the ads are promoting products that look like hers, and sending customers to scam sites overseas.

    “I oscillate between like, ‘I can hang on until this ends,’ and then, ‘I don’t know how much more I can take,’” Mildred said.  

    She says some customers are getting counterfeit products when ordered from scam sites, and some aren’t. If they are, they’re much lower quality.

    “You can see the print is really glitchy,” she said while showing WCCO a knockoff one of her customers unknowingly purchased.  

    It all started after she posted a product to TikTok in September that went viral.

    “Within 36 hours there were fraudulent videos on Amazon, and then Walmart, Temu,” she said.

    Mildred individually reported the sponsored ads on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

    “I did hire an intellectual property firm. They’ve taken down 175 listings, but I’ve reported over 750 and it takes them a while to get up and running,” she said.

    It’s an effort costing her nearly $2,000 a month out-of-pocket, and endless back-and-forth conversations.

    “I have to bring this to Facebook and be like, ‘Hey, turn off this revenue stream for you because it’s causing damage to my small business,’” she said.

    Mildred is now taking steps to watermark her videos, website and urging you to watch out, too.

    “I didn’t pay myself for four years,” she said. “I don’t know what the future looks like.”

    Mildred says these are ways you can best protect yourself:

    • If you see something advertised on social media, click on the page itself to see who’s running the ad and their reviews.
    • Go to the website and see what other items are offered, and if they look AI-generated.
    • Search the website in Google and write “scam or fraud” and look at the products on Trust Pilot.

    WCCO has reached out to Meta and TikTok for comment.

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    Frankie McLister

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  • Australia’s new social media ban for kids started with a mom saying, “Do something!”

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    With the world’s first social media ban for teenagers under 16 now in effect in Australia, its initial political architect is celebrating a new less-digital era for millions of children — and sharing that the legislation was personally inspired by his wife, for their four children. 

    “She read a book called ‘The Anxious Generation,’ by Jonathan Haidt,” said Peter Malinauskas, the premier of the state of South Australia. “And I will never forget the night she finished reading the book and she put it down on her lap and she turned to me and said, ‘You better do something about this!’” 

    Within seven months, and with strong public support, that idea fast became law across the land, winning support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Ten major apps including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and Facebook have complied to bar everyone 16 and under from their accounts and from setting up new accounts. 

    “Heaven forbid they might talk to one another a bit more, pick up the phone and have a chat rather than just being obsessed with the screen,” said Maulinauskas. 

    The ban puts the onus of responsibility on social media companies rather than parents with a penalty of up to $33 million if found to be in breach. It allows for each company to decide how best to adhere, which must be “multi-layered,” using more than one kind of identity verification, which could include traditional methods including national IDs and passports but also artificial intelligence — controversial over possible inaccuracies — to scan facial features for age. 

    Malinauskas readily admits there will be growing pains. 

    “People will find ways around it and lots of things will go wrong, and that’ll be highlighted in coming days and weeks in Australia,” he said, “but on balance, this is a reform that parents want so they can do their job more easily.” 

    He says officials from North America, Europe and Asia have been speaking with him about advancing similar legislation in Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan. Malaysia is already on track to be the next country to ban those under 16 from social media in 2026. 

    Yet in Australia, the law already faces a legal challenge. The country’s High Court accepted a legal challenge from two 15-year-olds who assert the ban violates their freedom of communication. The case could be heard as early as February. 

    Malinauskas blames those companies for putting all children through “a global experiment” over the past decade with “social media addiction and overuse because many of these platforms have had addictive algorithms.” 

    “I’m really proud, really proud that we’ve been able to see South Australia and then Australia lead a reform that’s going to make a big difference to young people’s lives,” he said. 

    “And the reason why politicians are looking at it is because parents know something’s not right. You know, there is no better judge of what’s in the best interest of a child than a parent, right?” 

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  • Are tech companies training their AI with private data?

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    Leading tech companies are in a race to release and improve artificial intelligence products, leaving U.S. users to puzzle out how much of their personal data could be extracted to train AI tools.

    Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp), Google and LinkedIn all have rolled out AI app features that have the capacity to draw on users’ public profiles or emails. Google and LinkedIn offer users ways to opt out of the AI features, while Meta’s AI tool provides no means for its users to say no thanks.

    “Gmail just flipped a dangerous switch on October 10, 2025 and 99% of Gmail users have no idea,” a Nov. 8 Instagram post said. 

    Posts warned the platforms’ AI tool rollouts make most private information available for tech company harvesting. “Every conversation, every photo, every voice message, fed into AI and used for profit,” a Nov. 9 X video about Meta said. 

    Technology companies are rarely fully transparent when it comes to the user data they collect and what they use it for, Krystyna Sikora, a research analyst for the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund, told PolitiFact.

    “Unsurprisingly, this lack of transparency can create significant confusion that in turn can lead to fear mongering and the spread of false information about what is and is not permissible,” Sikora said.

    The best — if tedious — way for people to know and protect their privacy rights is to read the terms and conditions, since it often explicitly outlines how the data will be used and whether it will be shared with third parties, Sikora said. The U.S. doesn’t have any comprehensive federal laws on data privacy for technology companies.

    Here’s what we learned about how each platform’s AI is handling your data:

    Meta

    Social media claim: “Starting December 16th Meta will start reading your DMs, every conversation, every photo, every voice message fed into AI and used for profit.” — Nov. 9 X post with 1.6 million views as of Nov. 19.

    The facts: Meta announced a new policy to take effect Dec. 16, but that policy alone does not result in your direct messages, photos and voice messages being fed into its AI tool. The policy involves how Meta will customize users’ content and advertisements based on how they interact with Meta AI. 

    For example, if a user interacts with Meta’s AI chatbot about hiking, Meta might start showing that person recommendations for hiking groups or hiking boots.

    But that doesn’t mean your data isn’t being used for AI purposes. Although Meta doesn’t use people’s private messages in Instagram, WhatsApp or Messenger to train its AI, it does collect user content that is set to “public” mode. This can include photos, posts, comments and reels. If the user’s Meta AI conversations involve religious views, sexual orientation and racial or ethnic origin, Meta says the system is designed to avoid parlaying these interactions into ads. If users ask questions of Meta AI using its voice feature, Meta says the AI tool will use the microphone only when users give permission.

    There is a caveat: The tech company says its AI might use information about people who don’t have Meta product accounts if their information appears in other users’ public posts. For example, if a Meta user mentions a non-user in a public image caption, that photo and caption could be used to train Meta AI.

    Can you opt-out? No. If you are using Meta platforms in these ways — making some of your posts public and using the chatbot — your data could be used by Meta AI. There is no way to deactivate Meta AI in Instagram, Facebook or Threads. WhatsApp users can deactivate the option to talk with Meta AI in their chats, but this option is available only per chat, meaning that you must deactivate the option in each chat’s advanced privacy settings.

    The X post inaccurately advised people to submit this form to opt-out. But the form is simply a way for users to report when Meta’s AI supplies an answer that contains someone’s personal information.

    David Evan Harris, who teaches AI ethics at University of California, Berkeley, told PolitiFact that because the U.S. has no federal regulations about privacy and AI training, people have no standardized legal right to opt out of AI training in the way that people in countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom and South Korea do.

    Even when social media platforms provide opt out options for U.S. customers, it’s often difficult to find the settings to do so, Harris said. 

    Deleting your Meta accounts does not eliminate the possibility of Meta AI using your past public data, Meta’s spokesperson said.

    Google

    Social media claim: “Did you know Google just gave its AI access to read every email in your Gmail — even your attachments?”  — Nov. 8 Instagram post with more than 146,000 likes as of Nov. 19.

    The facts: Google has a host of products that interact with private data in different ways. Google announced Nov. 5 that its AI product, Gemini Deep Research, can connect to users’ other Google products, including Gmail, Drive and Chat. But, as Forbes reported, users must first give permission to employ the tool.

    Users who want to allow Gemini Deep Research to have access to private information across products can choose what data sources to employ, including Google search, Gmail, Drive and Google Chat.

    There are other ways Google collects people’s data:

    •  Through searches and prompts in Gemini apps, including its mobile app, Gemini in Chrome or Gemini in another web browser

    • Any video or photo uploads the user entered into Gemini 

    • Through interactions with apps such as YouTube and Spotify, if users give permission

    •  Through message and phone calls apps, including call logs and messages logs, if users give permission

    A Google spokesperson told PolitiFact the company doesn’t use this information to train AI when registered users are under age 13. 

    Google can also access people’s data when they have smart features activated in their Gmail and Google Workplace settings (that are automatically on in the U.S.), which give Google consent to draw on email content and user activity data to help users compose emails or suggest Google Calendar events. With optional paid subscriptions, users can access additional AI features, including in-app Gemini summaries. 

    Turning off Gmail’s smart features can stop Google’s AI from accessing Gmail, but it doesn’t stop Google’s access on the Gemini app, which users can either download or access in a browser.

    (Screenshot shows a permission pop-up that appeared in the Gemini app after a PolitiFact reporter asked Gemini to summarize an email. Gemini asked permission to access that email.)

    A California lawsuit accuses Gemini of spying on users’ private communications. The lawsuit says an October policy change gives Gemini default access to private content such as emails and attachments in people’s Gmail, Chat and Meet. Before October, users had to manually allow Gemini to access the private content, now users must go into their privacy settings to disable it. The lawsuit claims the Google policy update violates California’s 1967 Invasion of Privacy Act, a law that prohibits unauthorized wiretapping and recording confidential communications without consent.

    Can you opt-out? If people don’t want their conversations used to train Google AI, they can use “temporary” chats or chat without signing into their Gemini accounts. Doing that means Gemini can’t save a person’s chat history, a Google spokesperson said. Otherwise, opting out of having Google’s AI in Gmail, Drive and Meet requires turning off smart features in settings. 

    LinkedIn

    Social media claim: Starting Nov. 3, “LinkedIn will begin using your data to train AI.” — Nov. 2 Instagram post with more than 18,000 likes as of Nov. 19.

    The facts: LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, announced on its website that starting Nov. 3, it will use some U.S. members’ data to train content-generating AI models. 

    The data the AI collects includes details from people’s profiles and public content users post.

    The training does not draw on information from people’s private messages, LinkedIn said.

    LinkedIn also said, aside from the AI data access, Microsoft started receiving information about LinkedIn members — such as profile information, feed activity and ad engagement — as of Nov. 3 in order to target users with personalized ads.

    Can you opt-out? Yes. Autumn Cobb, a LinkedIn spokesperson, confirmed to PolitiFact that members can opt out if they don’t want their content used for AI training purposes. They can also opt out of receiving targeted, personalized ads. 

    To remove your data from being used for training purposes, go to data privacy, click on the option that says “Data for Generative AI Improvement” and then turn off the feature that says “use my data for training content creation AI models.”

    And to opt out of personalized ads, go to advertising data in settings, and turn off ads off LinkedIn and the option that says “data sharing with our affiliates and select partners.”

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  • Meta gives Australian kids 2-week warning to delete accounts as world-first social media age restrictions loom

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    Melbourne, Australia — Technology giant Meta on Thursday began sending thousands of young Australians a two-week warning to downland their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and Threads before a world-first social media ban on accounts of children younger than 16 takes effect.

    The Australian government announced two weeks ago that the three Meta platforms plus Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube must take reasonable steps to exclude Australian account holders younger than 16, beginning Dec. 10.

    California-based Meta on Thursday became the first of the targeted tech companies to outline how it will comply with the law. Meta contacted thousands of young account holders via SMS and email to warn that suspected children will start to be denied access to the platforms from Dec. 4.

    “We will start notifying impacted teens today to give them the opportunity to save their contacts and memories,” Meta said in a statement.

    Meta said young users could also use the notice period to update their contact information “so we can get in touch and help them regain access once they turn 16.”

    Meta has estimated there are 350,000 Australians aged 13-to-15 on Instagram and 150,000 in that age bracket on Facebook. Australia’s population is 28 million.

    Account holders 16-years-old and older who were mistakenly given notice that they would be excluded can contact Yoti Age Verification and verify their age by providing government-issued identity documents or a “video selfie,” Meta said.

    Terry Flew, co-director of Sydney University’s Center for AI, Trust and Governance, said such facial-recognition technology had a failure rate of at least 5%.

    “In the absence of a government-mandated ID system, we’re always looking at second-best solutions around these things,” Flew told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

    The government has warned platforms that demanding that all account holders prove they are older than 15 would be an unreasonable response to the new age restrictions. The government maintains the platforms already had sufficient data about many account holders to ascertain they were not young children.

    Social media companies will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about $33 million) if they are found to be failing to prevent people under 16 from creating accounts on their platforms.

    Meta’s vice president and global head of safety, Antigone Davis, said she would prefer that app stores including Apple App Store and Google Play collect the age information when a user signs up and verifies they are at least 16 year old for app operators such as Facebook and Instagram.

    “We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, and privacy-preserving system, such as OS/app store-level age verification,” Davis said in a statement.

    “This combined with our investments in ongoing efforts to assure age … offers a more comprehensive protection for young people online,” she added.

    Dany Elachi, founder of the parents’ group Heaps Up Alliance that lobbied for the social media age restriction, said parents should start helping their children plan on how they will spend the hours currently absorbed by social media.

    He was critical of the government’s only announcing on the complete list of platforms that will become age-restricted on Nov. 5.

    “There are aspects of the legislation that we’re not entirely supportive of, but the principle that children under the age of 16 are better off in the real world, that’s something we advocated for and are in favor of,” Elachi said. “When everybody misses out, nobody misses out. That’s the theory. Certainly we expect that it would play out that way. We hope parents are going to be very positive about this and try to help their children see all the potential possibilities that are now open to them.”

    There was significant resistance to the legislation last year, however, including from  some children’s advocacy groups.

    The CEO of the Save the Children charity Mat Tinkler said in a statement a year ago, when the ban was approved by Australian lawmakers, that while he welcomed the government’s efforts to protect children from harm online, the solution should be regulating social media companies, rather than a blanket ban.

    He said the government should “instead use the momentum of this moment to hold the social media giants to account, to demand that they embed safety into their platforms rather than adding it as an afterthought, and to work closely with experts and children and young people themselves to make online spaces safer, as opposed to off-limits.”

    The Australian Human Rights Commission, an independent government body, also expressed “serious reservations” over the law before it was approved, saying last year that there were “less restrictive alternatives available that could achieve the aim of protecting children and young people from online harms, but without having such a significant negative impact on other human rights. One example of an alternative response would be to place a legal duty of care on social media companies.”

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  • Meta Just Prevailed in Its Historic FTC Antitrust Case

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    Meta has prevailed over an existential challenge to its business that could have forced the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking.

    U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued his ruling Tuesday after the historic antitrust trial wrapped up in late May. His decision runs in sharp contrast to two separate rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising, dealing regulatory blows to the tech industry that for years enjoyed nearly unbridled growth.

    The Federal Trade Commission “continues to insist that Meta competes with the same old rivals it has for the last decade, that the company holds a monopoly among that small set, and that it maintained that monopoly through anticompetitive acquisitions,” Boasberg wrote in his ruling. “Whether or not Meta enjoyed monopoly power in the past, though, the agency must show that it continues to hold such power now. The Court’s verdict today determines that the FTC has not done so.”

    The federal agency had argued that Meta maintained a monopoly by pursuing an expression CEO Mark Zuckerberg made in 2008: “‘It is better to buy than compete.’ True to that maxim, Facebook has systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.”

    During his April testimony, Zuckerberg pushed back against claims that Facebook bought Instagram to neutralize a threat. In his line of questioning, FTC attorney Daniel Matheson repeatedly brought up emails — many of them more than a decade old — written by Zuckerberg and his associates before and after the acquisition of Instagram.

    While acknowledging the documents, Zuckerberg has often sought to downplay the contents, saying he wrote the emails early in the acquisition process and that the notes did not fully capture the scope of his interest in the company. But the case was not about the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp more than a decade ago, which the FTC approved at the time, but about whether Meta holds a monopoly now. Prosecutors, Boasberg wrote in the ruling, could only win if they proved “current or imminent legal violation.”

    The FTC’s complaint said Facebook also enacted policies designed to make it difficult for smaller rivals to enter the market and “neutralize perceived competitive threats,” just as the world shifted its attention to mobile devices from desktop computers.

    Meta said Tuesday’s decision “recognizes that Meta faces fierce competition.”

    “Our products are beneficial for people and businesses and exemplify American innovation and economic growth. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Administration and to invest in America,” said Jennifer Newstead, chief legal officer, in a statement.

    The social media landscape has changed so much since the FTC filed its lawsuit in 2020, Boasberg wrote, that each time the court examined Meta’s apps and competition, they changed. Two opinions to dismiss the case — filed in 2021 and 2022 — didn’t even mention popular social video platform TikTok. Today, it “holds center stage as Meta’s fiercest rival.”

    Quoting the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “that no man can ever step into the same river twice,” Boasberg said the same is true for the online world of social media as well.

    “The landscape that existed only five years ago when the Federal Trade Commission brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly. While it once might have made sense to partition apps into separate markets of social networking and social media, that wall has since broken down,” he wrote.

    Emarketer analyst Minda Smiley said Meta’s win “is not necessarily surprising considering the lengths it’s gone to in recent years to keep up with TikTok.”

    “But from a regulatory standpoint, Meta is far from out of the woods: next year, major social networks will face landmark trials in the US regarding children’s mental health,” she added. “Still, today’s win is surely a boost for the company as it battles criticism and questions over how its massive AI spending will ultimately benefit Meta in the long run.”

    Facebook bought Instagram — then a scrappy photo-sharing app with no ads and a small cult following — in 2012. The $1 billion cash and stock purchase price was eye-popping at the time, though the deal’s value fell to $750 million after Facebook’s stock price dipped following its initial public offering in May 2012.

    Instagram was the first company Facebook bought and kept running as a separate app. Up until then, Facebook was known for smaller “acqui-hires” — a type of popular Silicon Valley deal in which a company purchases a startup as a way to hire its talented workers, then shuts the acquired company down. Two years later, it did it again with the messaging app WhatsApp, which it purchased for $22 billion.

    WhatsApp and Instagram helped Facebook move its business from desktop computers to mobile devices, and to remain popular with younger generations as rivals like Snapchat (which it also tried, but failed, to buy) and TikTok emerged. However, the FTC has a narrow definition of Meta’s competitive market, excluding companies like TikTok, YouTube and Apple’s messaging service from being considered rivals to Instagram and WhatsApp.

    Investors didn’t appear surprised at the ruling. Shares of the Menlo Park, California-based company were down $1.52 at $600.49 in afternoon trading Tuesday, in line with broader market trends.

    Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 

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  • Meta releases a new tool to protect reels creators from having their work stolen | TechCrunch

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    Facebook creators are getting a new tool to help them protect their work from being ripped off by others. On Monday, Meta introduced Facebook content protection, a mobile tool designed to detect when a creator’s original reels posted to Facebook are being used without their permission.

    If the creator is alerted that someone else is using their reels, they’ll also have the ability to block the reel’s visibility across both Facebook and Instagram or track the reel’s performance and optionally add attribution links to their work.

    Or they can opt to release their claim on the reel, allowing it to remain visible on Meta’s platforms.

    Meta says the addition of the content protection feature is part of its work to help original creators succeed on Facebook, without being drowned out by copycats. As part of this initiative, Meta said in July it had taken down around 10 million profiles that were impersonating large content creators and had taken action against 500,000 accounts engaged in spammy behavior or fake engagement.

    Image Credits:Meta

    Although the new system also works to protect original content that’s posted on Instagram, it requires that creators post their reels to Facebook to have them tracked. This also works if the creator is using the cross-posting option from Instagram to “Share to Facebook.”

    The move could encourage more creators to share their work on Facebook as a result.

    The new content protection system is automatically being provided to Facebook creators in its Facebook Content Monetization program who also meet enhanced integrity and originality standards, the company says. In addition, access to the new program is rolling out to creators who use Rights Manager. 

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    Image Credits:Meta

    Creators can see if they’re eligible by looking for notifications in their Feed, Professional Dashboard, and profile, or they can check to see if they have access to the tool from their Professional Dashboard, under “Content Protection.” They can also apply for access on Facebook’s website.

    To work, the tool uses the same matching technology as is currently used by Meta’s Rights Manager for copyright holders. It will also show the percentage match for each match it surfaces, as well as other details, like views, follower count, and monetization status.

    The company says it’s giving creators control over if and how the system flags matches. For instance, if the creator has given permission to another account to use their content, they can add them to an “allow list” so those duplicate reels aren’t automatically flagged.

    Image Credits:Meta

    Creators can also release their claim on a video on a one-off basis, or, if they choose to track the performance of a reel on another creator’s account, they can opt to add attribution links. These links will add an “original” label to the reel that links back to the creator’s profile, page, or, in some cases, the original reel itself.

    Meta tells us it’s currently running tests for linking back to the original reel, but linking to the page or profile is the default.

    If they block the reel, its distribution is impacted, but the account that stole the reel doesn’t receive any disciplinary action. This could be because Meta doesn’t want the system abused to target specific accounts. In addition, it says that if creators abuse the system, creators submitting false reports could see restrictions against their own accounts or they could lose access to the tool.

    Tracking reels is the default setting, Facebook notes.

    Creators will also be able to dispute instances where another account tries to protect a piece of the creator’s original work. To do so, creators can submit a copyright takedown request through the IP reporting channel. (They can also submit a report if they find a match that the tool didn’t surface, via a “Can’t find a specific match?” option on the content protection overview screen.)

    For the time being, the new tool is mobile-only, but Meta tells TechCrunch it’s testing adding it to the Professional Dashboard on the desktop.

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  • How to track Doppler radar, traffic and rain totals for California storm

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    How to track Doppler radar, traffic and rain totals for California storm

    Follow the storm with interactive radar and see the latest traffic conditions and rain totals.

    TIME RIGHT NOW IS 7 A.M. TODAY IS ALSO A WEATHER IMPACT DAY, AND HERE’S A LIVE LOOK FROM SACRAMENTO, RANCHO CORDOVA AND STOCKTON WHERE RAIN IS COMING DOWN RIGHT NOW. IT ALL STARTED EARLY THIS MORNING AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HEADING INTO THE WEEK, LET’S GET WEATHER CHECK NOW WITH METEOROLOGIST KELLY CURRAN. YEAH, THAT RAIN HAS BEEN COMING DOWN THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, ESPECIALLY AROUND MODESTO, PICKING UP MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT. AND IT’S BEEN RAINING EVER SINCE. NOW THIS IS A LIVE LOOK OUTSIDE IN RANCHO CORDOVA, WHERE NOT ONLY ARE WE DEALING WITH THOSE SCATTERED SHOWERS, WE’RE ALSO DEALING WITH SOME AREAS OF PATCHY MORNING FOG. WE’RE GOING TO SEE SCATTERED SHOWERS ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY. BUT THEN A SECOND STORM ARRIVES TONIGHT, BRINGING IN EVEN HEAVIER BAND OF SHOWERS. AND THEN ON TOP OF ALL THAT, WE’RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH SNOW SHOWERS IN THE SIERRA, WHICH WILL LIKELY PROMPT CHAIN CONTROLS. WE ALREADY HAVE A FEW OUT THERE, BUT MORE WILL LIKELY BE HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY AS THAT SNOW LEVEL CONTINUES TO DROP. SO LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE RADAR FIRST. AND YOU CAN SEE FROM I-5 EASTWARD. THAT’S WHERE WE’RE REALLY CONTINUING TO SEE THOSE RAIN SHOWERS. NOW YUBA CITY STARTING TO DRY OUT NOW. STILL A FEW LIGHT SHOWERS AROUND CHICO SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN AREA. THE SHOWERS ARE STARTING TO LET UP, BUT WE’RE STILL SEEING MORE FURTHER TO THE EAST. AUBURN GRASS VALLEY LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS, DONNER SUMMIT SEEING SNOW AND POLLOCK PINES. WE HAVE SOME MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN COMING DOWN, INDICATED BY THOSE SHADES OF YELLOW HEADING FURTHER TO THE SOUTH AROUND STOCKTON WE’RE SEEING LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS. SAME AROUND GALT. MODESTO CONTINUES TO SEE THAT LIGHT RAIN, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE HERE FROM SNELLING ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH SONORA AND ARNOLD UP TOWARD 88. THAT’S WHERE WE’RE SEEING THAT BAND OF YELLOW INDICATING AGAIN, THE MORE MODERATE SHOWER ACTIVITY. AND THIS IS MOVING ITS WAY EASTWARD. WE’LL BE SWITCHING OVER TO SNOW AS IT GOES UP IN ELEVATION. SACRAMENTO 56 DEGREES. THAT’S THE CURRENT TEMPERATURE. WE’RE AT 52 IN AUBURN. TRUCKEE 36. AND THESE TEMPERATURES ARE NOT GOING TO BE WARMING UP MUCH TODAY. WINDS AT THE MOMENT NOT TOO STRONG, BUT THEY HAVE SWITCHED DIRECTIONS. SO THEY’RE OUT OF THE SOUTH. WE’RE GOING TO SEE EVEN STRONGER WINDS AS WE GET INTO THE EVENING HOURS. HIGHS TODAY. WE’RE ONLY GOING TO MAKE IT INTO THE UPPER 50 IN THE SACRAMENTO AREA. WE’RE GOING TO BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THAT COMING UP IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES. KELLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND LET’S GET A CHECK RIGHT NOW. OUTSIDE LIVE TRACKER THREE ON THE ROADS THIS MORNING IN KCRA 3’S. ERIN HEFT IS LIVE IN PLACER COUNTY. AND AARON WHAT ARE YOU SEEING RIGHT NOW? OH, IT IS SLICK THIS MORNING, LETICIA. AND VERY MUCH CHANGING CONDITIONS AS WE GET HIGHER IN ELEVATION. SO LET ME SHOW YOU OUTSIDE OF OUR WINDSHIELD. THIS THE CAMERA THAT’S STILL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND A SHOT OF THE ROAD SO YOU CAN SEE LOTS OF WATER KICKING UP OFF OF THE INTERSTATE RIGHT NOW. AND THEN OUR ROOF CAMERA, WHICH IS THE CAMERA LOCATED ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE, YOU CAN SEE QUITE DAMP OUT THERE. SO THINGS YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF IS THAT YES, IT IS VERY WET, SPECIFICALLY THROUGH PLACER COUNTY AS WE’VE LEFT SACRAMENTO AND NOW PAST BAXTER AND ARE MAKING OUR WAY EVEN HIGHER. STILL VERY WET. SO NOTHING THAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT BEING SLICK FOR ANY ICY REASONS, BUT THAT CHANGES WHEN IT COMES TO KINGVALE BECAUSE KINGVALE THERE ARE TWO LEVEL CHAIN RESTRICTIONS RIGHT NOW, SO JUST BE AWARE THAT THESE ROADS GET A LITTLE SLICK UP THERE. IT’S A VERY SHORT AREA THAT’S IN CHAIN RESTRICTIONS AND CHAIN CONTROLS, BUT THERE ARE SNOWPLOWS OUT. AND FOR MORE SPECIFIC AREA OF THAT, THAT WOULD BE FROM KINGVALE TO AROUND THE DONNER LAKE AREA. SO THAT’S WHERE THE R2 CHAIN CONTROLS ARE. THAT’S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE TOW TRUCK EXCUSE ME, SNOWPLOWS ARE AT THE MOMENT. SO THAT GIVES US AN INDICATOR THAT THAT’S THE AREA THAT’S MOST SLICK. BUT PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU’RE WORKING YOUR WAY UP INTERSTATE 80, JUST BE PREPARED. IT’S THAT KIND OF SEASON WHERE YOU NEED TO HAVE CHAINS IN YOUR VEHICLE, OR YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. IT’S THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON WHERE INTERSTATE 80 GETS A LITTLE DICEY. JUST BE PREPARED. LETICIA. THINGS CHANGING INDEED. ERIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LIVE REPORT. WE’LL CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU. AND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS GET THE LATEST WEATHER UPDATES BY DOWNLOADING THE KCRA 3 APP.

    How to track Doppler radar, traffic and rain totals for California storm

    Follow the storm with interactive radar and see the latest traffic conditions and rain totals.

    Updated: 7:54 AM PST Nov 16, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    KCRA 3’s weather team issued Impact Days for Sunday and Monday because of how wet and windy conditions will affect outdoor activities and travel for the Valley, Foothills and Sierra. See the latest forecast here. Share your weather photos and videos at kcra.com/upload.Below are resources to find live, interactive radar and traffic maps on KCRA.com to help keep you prepared. You can also see the latest rain totals below. Download our app for the latest breaking news and severe weather alertsHere is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.Track real-time traffic updates in Northern CaliforniaClick here to see our interactive traffic map.Track California Doppler radar Click here to see our interactive radar map.)Track California highway road conditions hereHere is where you can search Caltrans road conditions by highway and see if chain controls are in effect. Track the rain totals below Here are key websites to prepare for and track California power outages.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here.Keeping informed when you’ve lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Here is how to sign up for CalAlerts emergency alert notifications for any county in California.Track PG&E power outages here. Track SMUD outages here. Track power outages across all California counties. Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook, Instagram and X. Meteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X, Facebook and Instagram.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook, X and Instagram. Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. See more coverage of top California stories here | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    KCRA 3’s weather team issued Impact Days for Sunday and Monday because of how wet and windy conditions will affect outdoor activities and travel for the Valley, Foothills and Sierra.

    Below are resources to find live, interactive radar and traffic maps on KCRA.com to help keep you prepared. You can also see the latest rain totals below.

    Download our app for the latest breaking news and severe weather alerts

    Here is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.

    Track real-time traffic updates in Northern California

    Click here to see our interactive traffic map.

    Track California Doppler radar

    Click here to see our interactive radar map.)

    Track California highway road conditions here

    Here is where you can search Caltrans road conditions by highway and see if chain controls are in effect.

    Track the rain totals below

    Here are key websites to prepare for and track California power outages.

    Follow our KCRA weather team on social media

    Watch our forecasts on TV or online

    Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.

    We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Katy Perry Soft-Launched Justin Trudeau on Instagram

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    Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Karwai Tang/WireImage, Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

    About six months after her hard launch into space, Katy Perry has soft-launched her new relationship with Justin Trudeau on Instagram. Although the couple already made their first public appearance together holding hands in Paris last weekend, Perry didn’t post Trudeau on her social media until an October 28 Instagram carousel post celebrating her 41st birthday with the caption “Level 41 🫦♥️.” This pairing is still relatively new — Perry and Trudeau were first seen together in July, a few weeks after Perry and Orlando Bloom confirmed their split — which is perhaps why the former prime minister of Canada didn’t get prime placement in the 12-slide post. In fact, if you blink, you might miss that he’s in the eighth slide at all: Trudeau makes a cameo for about a second in the background of a video in which Perry blows out the candles on a cake and then throws it at someone backstage at her Lifetimes Tour. Trudeau has been spotted bopping along at one of her concerts before, so it’s not necessarily surprising that he was with her backstage. We’re more curious about whether he joined any of the people who started eating the cake off the floor.

    Judging by tabloid reports, the couple seems to be hoping they’ll spend many more birthdays together. A source recently told “Page Six” that Trudeau thinks Perry is the “perfect woman” and is “simpatico” with her on “everything including politics, kids, and French food.” Meanwhile, Perry has consulted a “claircognizance psychic” to help her navigate her love life with Trudeau, the Daily Mail reported on October 31. Hopefully it’s more effective than the “spell” she once cast on her ex-fiancé?

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    Jennifer Zhan

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  • Kai Trump, president’s granddaughter, will play in LPGA Tour’s Annika event next month

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    Kai Trump, President Trump’s eldest granddaughter, a high school senior and University of Miami commit, has secured a sponsor invitation to play in an LPGA Tour event Nov. 13-16.

    The 18-year-old will compete in the Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. She currently attends the Benjamin School in Palm Beach and is ranked No. 461 on the American Junior Golf Assn. rankings. She also competes on the Srixon Medalist Tour on the South Florida PGA. Her top finish was a tie for third in July.

    “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Trump said in a statement. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”

    Sponsor invitations have long been used to attract attention to a tournament through a golfer who is from a well-known family or, in recent years, has a strong social media presence. Kai Trump qualifies on both counts.

    She is the oldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa, and has nearly 8 million followers combined on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube and X. In addition to posting her own exploits on and off the course, she creates videos playing golf with her grandpa and chronicled their visit to the Ryder Cup.

    She also recently launched her own sports apparel and lifestyle brand, KT.

    “Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans,” said Ricki Lasky, LPGA chief tour business and operations officer, in a statement.

    The oldest of the president’s 11 grandchildren, Kai became known nationally when she made a speech in support of her grandfather’s campaign at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Her parents divorced in 2018, and her mother has been dating Tiger Woods for about a year.

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    Steve Henson

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  • That Trump Tweet About the World Series Being ‘Rigged’ Is Fake

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    Have you seen a tweet from President Donald Trump saying he’ll refuse to invite whoever wins the World Series to the White House? Trump appears to say that it’s because he believes the game is rigged, either by the mafia or the Democrats. But the tweet isn’t real. The post has gone viral across just about every major social media platform, but it’s completely fake.

    The post is made to look like it’s coming from President Trump’s official Truth Social account, the platform he owns and the first place where he posts all his most unhinged messages.

    “NO MATTER WHO WINS I WILL REFUSE TO INVITE EITHER BASEBALL TEAM TO MY BALL ROOM AS THEY ARE BOTH RUN BY HIGHLY INEPT OFFICIALS FROM CALIFORNIA AND ONTARIO CANADA,” the fake tweet reads.

    “I DON’T HOST LOSERS. WE ARE ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING MLB. THIS WORLD SERIES IS RIGGED, PROBABLY BY THE DEMS & THE MAFIA,” the fake tweet continues.

    The screenshot spread far and wide over the weekend, showing up on Threads, X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook. But Trump never wrote this one.

    Fake tweet made to look like it’s from President Donald Trump about the World Series. Screenshot: Facebook

    The reaction to the viral post was about what you’d expect, especially among fans of the Toronto Blue Jays, the team that’s currently playing the Los Angeles Dodgers for the World Series championship. The series is tied 1-1 and Game 3 will be played tonight.

    Many Canadians made fun of the fake Trump tweet, since they didn’t think a Canadian team would even be invited to the White House in the first place. Trump slapped an additional 10% tariff on Canada over the weekend because he got mad about an ad that highlighted Ronald Reagan’s opposition to tariffs. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the ad a “psy-op” by the Canadian government on Sunday. Trump has claimed the ad is fake, even falsely insisting it’s AI. But it’s real.

    Things are different for the American team, which could very well get an invitation to the White House if they win. The Dodgers won the World Series last year and did indeed show up in April to snap pictures. Trump also received a “47” jersey from the team, since he’s kind of the 47th president. We say “kind of” because he’s only 47th if you don’t count by the number of people to hold the office, but by the number of consecutive terms that make up a single era. And even then, it’s not quite right since Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms as well.

    There are many red flags in the fake post from Trump, but the reference to the ballroom might be one of the most glaring. The president has demolished the East Wing of the White House, and he’s building a ballroom with “donations” from private companies and individuals who have given him millions. But even on the most ambitious timeline, the ballroom won’t be completed by the time a White House visit by the 2025 World Series champions might take place. Trump hasn’t announced a completion date for his ridiculous monstrosity, but the administration has said it will be done before his second term is up in Jan. 2029.

    Another fake post that’s gotten less traction, but is still popping up here and there on social media, specifically calls out the Blue Jays.

    “WE WILL BE INVESTIGATING THE UN AMERICAN BLUE JAYS WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL OUR BELOVED WORLD SERIES,” the fake tweet reads. “THEY WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE.”

    Interestingly, author Stephen King seemed to fall for the first tweet in this article, poking fun at him on X, but the Community Notes that have attempted to fact-check King are referring to the second tweet about the Blue Jays. That’s how many fake Trump tweets seem to be doing the rounds these days. Nobody can keep any of this stuff straight.

    The reason these fake tweets go viral is that it’s simply impossible to tell which screeds from President Trump are authentic. Trump has always been off his rocker, but he’s gotten increasingly unhinged during his second term, posting some of the weirdest things that a president has ever expressed in public.

    As just one recent example, Trump posted an AI video of himself last month talking about “medbeds,” a bizarre conspiracy theory that claims there are real beds being hidden from the public that can heal all diseases. The video even includes a fake Trump touting these miracle cures and insisting they were going to be available soon to “restore every citizen to full health.”

    In a world where the president is posting about medbeds—to say nothing of the Department of Homeland Security posting Nazi propaganda—it can be extremely difficult to tell what’s real. And that’s not going to change as long as the Trump regime remains in power. In fact, it’s likely to get much, much worse.

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    Matt Novak

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