Colorado foundation warns parents of security concerns, inappropriate AI toys on shelves this holiday season
CBS News | November 19, 2025 | Christa Swanson

A Colorado consumer advocacy group says some of the newest toys on shelves this holiday season are equipped with artificial intelligence, and they may not be good for kids.

These robots, and even teddy bears, are equipped with AI chatbots that can talk to your child. In tests, some of the toys could tell kids how to find and light matches or even discuss inappropriate topics.

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“Rules for Playing Hops/Scotch”

Company pulls AI-powered talking teddy bear toy for giving sex advice
UPI | 11/20/25 | Ben Hooper

An AI-powered talking teddy bear has been removed from sale by a Singapore-based company after researchers found it could discuss sex and other topics.

The Public Interest Research Group said a group of researchers from the U.S. and Canada held test conversations with Kumma, a $99 teddy bear powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o chatbot.

The bear is manufactured in China and marketed by Singapore-based FoloToy.

The researchers said they found it easy to get Kumma to discuss sexually explicit topics, including spanking, roleplay and BDSM.

“We were surprised to find how quickly Kumma would take a single sexual topic we introduced into the conversation and run with it, simultaneously escalating in graphic detail while introducing new sexual concepts of its own,” the report said.

‘Excessive, Exorbitant’ Travel Spending by CPS Employees Cited in New Watchdog Report
WTTW Chicago | 11/12/2025 | Matt Masterson

Overnight travel expenses within Chicago Public Schools have skyrocketed in recent years, an internal watchdog investigation found, as employees of the cash-strapped school district spent millions on overseas trips, spa getaways and flights to Las Vegas and Hawaii.

CPS Inspector General Philip Wagenknecht’s office on Wednesday published a new report on the district’s travel and overnight spending, which jumped from around $300,000 in fiscal year 2021 to nearly $8 million in 2024. …

Over the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, CPS spent around $14.5 million in travel expenses, mostly for out-of-town professional development seminars or overnight student outings. …

“Chicago Public Schools remains unwavering in its commitment to fiscal responsibility and the success of our students,” the district spokesperson said. …

The OIG later found that eight CPS schools had spent more than $142,000 in district funds on trips to Egypt, Finland, Estonia and South Africa for professional development and school visits. According to the report, those trips also included “tourist activities of debatable value,” including camel rides, a trip to a game park and hot air balloon rides.

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TAXPAYERS PAY $23.6M FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS VACATIONS
Illinois Policy

3.6 million in tax dollars on lavish vacations at 5-star hotels and overseas trips. Much of it was without approval.

Hotel rooms costing $945 per night. Anniversary trips to Las Vegas. South African safaris. Nearly $5,000 for trips to Hawaii.

Grand total: $23.6 million in six years. All at taxpayer expense. All by Chicago Public Schools employees and students.

Much of it was never approved.

Taps run dry as water crisis forces Iran to consider evacuating its capital
NBC News | Nov. 16, 2025 | Amin Khodadadi, Evan Bush and Babak Dehghanpisheh

… Iran is facing its worst water crisis in decades. With no end in sight and authorities warning they may even have to evacuate the capital of 10 million people, residents like Ensani are scrambling to respond.

“We didn’t have water for three days. The pressure was so low that nothing came out.”

1. Need reporters with even cooler names.