AI Apocalypse? Why language surrounding tech is sounding increasingly religious

TORONTO (AP) — Geoffrey Hinton is sounding the alarm about the risks of artificial intelligence. He believes AI could become a superintelligent entity that might threaten humanity. Known as the “Godfather of AI,” Hinton has voiced concerns since leaving Google in 2023. He urges public awareness to pressure politicians for regulation. Some tech leaders, like OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, describe AI in almost divine terms. Others, like Ray Kurzweil, predict humans will merge with AI, enhancing intelligence. While some praise AI's potential, skeptics like Max Tegmark caution against unregulated development, fearing hubris in the tech industry.

Trading Micah Parsons doesn't help the Cowboys in 2025 but could end up being a rare win-win deal

Trading Micah Parsons is a bold move only a general manager who happens to be the team owner can make. Parsons is a generational player, an elite talent in his prime. Quarterbacks fear facing the two-time All-Pro pass rusher. Offensive coordinators have sleepless nights thinking about ways to game-plan against him. Parsons has been wreaking havoc in backfields since his rookie season in 2021. Any team would love to have a game-wrecker like him on their side. Yet, the Dallas Cowboys were willing to send Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade Thursday following a lengthy, messy contract dispute.

Gun used in Emmett Till's lynching is displayed in a museum 70 years after his murder

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The gun used in the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till is now on display for the public to see, 70 years after the killing. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History unveiled the .45-caliber pistol and its holster during a news conference Thursday, which is the 70th anniversary of Till’s murder. The gun belonged to John William “J.W.” Milam who, alongside Roy Bryant, abducted Till from his great-uncle’s home on Aug. 28, 1955. The white men tortured and killed Till after the teenager was falsely accused of whistling at a white woman in a rural Mississippi grocery store.

Cracker Barrel had good reasons to rebrand. But after its new logo misfired, here's what's next

Cracker Barrel hired a new CEO in 2023 to innovate and appeal to more customers. That has largely happened. New menu items and refurbished stores helped increase customer traffic. But the company's transformation effort hit a wall last week, when fans reacted angrily to Cracker Barrel's simplified, modernized logo. Cracker Barrel relented Tuesday and said its old logo will remain. One rebranding expert says Cracker Barrel's existing logo is too detailed for the digital age, but the new one lacked character and the company should have rolled it out much more slowly.

Emil Wakim exits 'SNL' after Devon Walker, as Lorne Michaels hints at more changes

NEW YORK (AP) — Devon Walker and Emil Wakim are leaving “Saturday Night Live” as the show gears up for its 51st season. Walker announced his departure on Instagram Tuesday, reflecting on his three years with the show. Walker's post hinted at mixed experiences, describing some moments as “really cool” and others as “toxic.” One-season featured player Wakim indicated he was let go Wednesday and called it a “gut punch.” “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels recently mentioned he anticipates more changes. He answered affirmatively during an interview with Puck when asked if he would “shake things up.” The new season premieres Oct. 4.

Cardi B testifies she didn't touch security guard who's suing her alleging assault

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (AP) — Cardi B has testified in a Los Angeles County court, denying allegations that she injured a security guard during her first pregnancy. The rapper says she didn't touch Emani Ellis, who claims Cardi cut her face with a fingernail and spat on her. Cardi admitted to being angry during the heated argument because she believed Ellis was outing a pregnancy that was still a secret, but insisted it never turned physical. The incident occurred in February 2018 when Cardi was four months pregnant with her first child with rapper Offset. A receptionist from the doctor's office supported Cardi's account, saying she saw no physical fighting.

Prosecutors fail to indict sandwich thrower in Trump's Washington public safety operation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have failed to indict a man who was seen on camera hurling a sandwich at a federal law enforcement official in the nation’s capital. That's according to a person familiar who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Sean Charles Dunn was arrested on an assault charge after he threw a sub-style sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent. A video of the incident went viral, and shortly after he was fired from the Justice Department. Dunn’s arrest came in one of the first days after Trump’s order for federal agents and troops to flood Washington. Prosecutors could go back to try again for an indictment.

Missing New Orleans boy drowned after 'blunt force trauma' by an alligator

Associated Press (AP) — A missing 12-year-old boy with autism, whose body was discovered in a New Orleans canal following a nearly two-week-long search, died from “blunt force due to an alligator” and drowning. Bryan Vasquez was first reported missing on the morning of Aug. 14, after he reportedly escaped through a bedroom window. His disappearance prompted a massive search. On Tuesday, 12 days after the boy wandered away from home, his body was located by a drone. Police disclosed the cause of death on Wednesday. The New Orleans Police Department has launched an internal investigation into their delayed response, with police logs showing a five-hour gap from when they received the 9-1-1 call and when an officer arrived at the scene.

Lil Nas X says arrest and jail time were 'terrifying'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lil Nas X is calling his recent arrest and jail time as “terrifying.” He made his first public comments on Tuesday after being charged with attacking Los Angeles police officers. The 26-year-old rapper and singer pleaded not guilty to four felony counts on Monday and was released on bail after four days in jail. In an Instagram video posted Tuesday, he said he's going to be OK. Authorities say he was walking naked in LA's San Fernando Valley and charged at officers. He's charged with three felony counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.

Katy Perry testifies that she's seeking 'justice' at trial over $15 million mansion

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Katy Perry has testified during a Los Angeles trial that she's seeking justice in a legal battle over a California mansion. Perry says she stands to lose money if the decision doesn't favor her. The dispute involves a $15 million mansion she and former partner Orlando Bloom bought in 2020. The seller, Carl Westcott, claims he was not mentally competent to make the deal. Perry's side won a previous trial, but a countersuit over lost rental income has led to a new trial. Perry's testimony came on the fourth day of proceedings, which are expected to continue for two more days.