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AI meets true crime
In late November 1987, Nashville police got a call about a revolting stench on Charlotte Avenue. What they found under a dirt-floor crawl space shocked even the most hardened crime scene veterans: two decomposing bodies, buried and forgotten beneath a broken-down home.
The address traced back to James Shaffer, a convicted rapist already serving time for kidnapping and assault. He admitted to killing the two women, claiming they had stolen from him. He gave only partial names, that is, Sheila and “Little Bit.”
There were no IDs, no missing persons reports, no fingerprints, no next of kin. The case went cold and stayed cold for nearly four decades. Even with a confession, no names meant no entries in the national database and no justice for the families.
🧬 DNA, AI and the internet: A cold case dream team
Today, powerful DNA technology, smart internet sleuthing and a little help from artificial intelligence are rewriting the story. Across the country, old cases are being cracked wide open by combining classic detective work with modern tools like genetic genealogy and AI.
Here’s the process: Police first try CODIS, the FBI’s DNA database. If there’s no match, and often there isn’t, they move to public genealogy sites like GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA.
Genealogists then build sprawling family trees from shared DNA, and detectives dig through old records. AI now joins the hunt, scanning decades of police reports, obituaries, social media posts and even mug shots to spot connections people might miss.
Some systems can even predict likely identities by studying migration patterns, regional matches and known associates.
👀 The break in the case
In January 2025, police exhumed one of the women for a better DNA sample. Around the same time, a woman in Elgin, Illinois, saw a forensic composite of “Little Bit” on the news. It looked like her mom, Sheila Cummings, who had been missing since the ’80s.
She called the police, provided her own DNA, and boom, the match was made.
The second woman is still unknown. Her DNA is in the system, and AI is combing every digital corner for a lead. It feels like only a matter of time.
Emergencies don’t wait
⚠️ Why should you? A little prep today means less panic tomorrow.
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⛈️ Stay ready for anything: Stock up on more smart safety picks on my Amazon page. Peace of mind is just a click away.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The new scams that know you by name
Ever get a text that feels … a little too real? You know the ones: “Your account has been locked. Click here to verify.” Most of us roll our eyes and delete them.
But the new generation of scams? They’re scarier and a whole lot smarter.
¿Dónde está mi cerveza? You can now dub your voice with auto lip-synch for reels. Just select Translate your voice with Meta AI before posting. FYI: It currently only works English ↔ Spanish. Oh, and it’s available to all public Instagram accounts, but on Facebook, you’ll need at least 1,000 followers.
🏀 Steph Curry signs with Google: No joke, it’s a multiyear partnership where he’s going to use their AI to get better at basketball. How? Their so-called Coach will use Gemini and Pixel cameras to study his jump shot, break down his form and give him visual feedback. Part of the deal is no vacations. After all, basketball players aren’t allowed to travel. (Get it? Tough crowd today.)
The dating app celebs actually use
This one has A-listers, athletes, and millions waiting to join. If you’re single, this is the one you want.
$12.99 per month
That’s the new price of Apple TV+, up from $9.99. If you’re already subscribed, you’ll see the price change 30 days after your next renewal date. Some good news? Yearly TV+ subscriptions and the Apple One services bundle aren’t changing. At least not yet. Enjoy it while it lasts.
📺 Lost your Roku remote? Open the Roku app, tap the microphone icon, and say “Hey, Roku, where’s my remote?” The remote will beep so you can track it down. Press any button to stop the sound. FYI: This only works with remotes that have built-in speakers, like the Roku Voice Remote Pro.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Digitize handwriting the easy way
Old family letters don’t have to stay stuck in the past. With just your phone, you can turn cursive handwriting into digital text you can save, edit, and share in seconds.
⚙️ Uninsurable metal box: Tesla’s stainless steel Cybertruck is apparently too weird to insure. Geico and Hanover are pulling out, citing plummeting sales (just 4,306 sold last quarter) and high repair costs. The truck’s low production and high drama have made it a financial Bermuda Triangle.
Shine on, scrub star
✨ Cleaning isn’t glamorous, but the right tools turn “ugh, chores” into “ahh, tidy.”
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- 🙈 Dirt can’t hide: From baseboards to ceilings, tackle every tight spot with a long-handled wall mop (5% off).
- 🧽 An internet fave: Scrub Daddy’s kitchen sponges (10% off, five-pack) have 4.8 stars and 81,000+ fans.
- 🫧 Gentle but mighty: Safe for all colors, this nontoxic spray (29% off) protects leather, faux and even vinyl.
- ♻️ No more messy rolls: A stackable trash bag dispenser (15% off) keeps ’em neat and ready to grab.
🛒 Your cart upgrade: If you love these picks, tap here for more essentials. Then, pop over to my Amazon storefront for more all-stars.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Are schools spying on your kids at home?
Your kid might be under 24/7 school surveillance, even at home. George, your AI host, breaks down how student safety tools like GoGuardian and Gaggle track everything from late-night YouTube binges to unsent messages. Plus: a $750 PayPal password dump, biometric TSA fast lanes, Steph Curry’s AI jump shot coach, and five cool science experiments hiding in your phone.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
Orbital jump scare: Russia-affiliated hackers hijacked a satellite and streamed their military parade straight into Ukrainian living rooms. Now U.S. officials say Russia’s working on a nuclear space weapon that could black out all satellites. If it goes live, low-Earth orbit turns into one big no-fly zone for a year. At least that movie wasn’t Ice Cube’s War of the Worlds.
Set up Gmail vacation auto-replies: Go to Settings > See all settings > General and scroll down to Vacation responder. Turn it on, pick your First day and Last day from the calendars, add a Subject line, and write your Message (include your return date). Now click Save Changes at the bottom.
We got scammed out of $200K
Bill and his wife thought they were investing in crypto. Instead, they got wiped out. Then, how AI could take down Google Chrome. Plus, Silicon Valley’s obsession with “super smart” babies, the secret world of spy radio, and crypto’s path to your 401(k).
Genius hacks for under $25
💰 No need to spend a fortune. Just a few small upgrades with big payoffs.
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- 🚛 Moving made easy: These reusable bags ($26, six-pack) with handles and zippers can haul up to 65 lbs.
- 🫧 Small bathroom? No prob. A floating shelf (33% off) adds two tiers of storage right above your toilet.
⚡ Blink and you’ll miss it: Amazon’s lightning deals are live today but gone in minutes. Snag your faves, and check out my storefront for more good stuff.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Change where Windows saves screenshots: By default, pressing Windows key + PrtScn saves them in the Screenshots folder under Pictures. To choose a new location, right-click the Screenshots folder and go to Properties > Location > Move. Pick your new folder, and click Apply, then OK to save.
🍏 Update your Apple gear ASAP: Apple dropped an emergency patch for iPhones, iPads and Macs after hackers were caught exploiting a nasty flaw. The trick? Sending a booby-trapped image via text or email that lets them break in and run malicious code. Go to Settings > General > Software Update now.