R Magic Brow

A Catholic company with an "extremely popular" product said it has decided turn away from using artificial intelligence, no matter the cost.A well-known Catholic retailer called the Little Catholic Box said the company's decision to use AI received passionate opposition from its consumer base.'AI can be a valuable tool that requires vigilance.'The company took out a Facebook ad on Tuesday that discussed its extremely popular Saint Trading Cards and said they "were prototyped using AI."After using AI-generated images for the cards, the company's leaders said the backlash inspired them to do more research and even reach out to real, human artists for their input.However, what truly seemed to change the company's mind was words from the pope on AI and the direction of humanity in the face of emerging technologies.Referring to the pope's May 15 encyclical entitled "Magnifica Humanitas," Little Catholic Box wrote that while "AI can be a valuable tool that requires vigilance" it can "never replace the human person."From that point forward, the company decided not to use AI for its art and vowed to start commissioning original art from "human artists."In the face of a longer timeline and higher costs, the leaders of the Catholic company — founded by parents of seven — said they believed the change would actually result in a better product and "stronger Catholic community overall."RELATED: A real nation knows who is in and who is out AI-generated art previously used by the Little Catholic Box. Image courtesy the Little Catholic BoxPope Leo XIV's letter thoroughly discussed the rapid increase and digitalization of the world through AI and robotics. However, he left room for grace, even for AI, and said technology should not be considered, "in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity.""On the contrary, it has formed part of our history since the beginning as 'a profoundly human reality, linked to the autonomy and freedom of man,'" he added.The pope stressed being "profoundly human" in an era of AI and called on Catholics to "safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us.""Let us not be afraid to get our hands dirty," Leo continued, "on the 'construction site' of our time."This included placing the human person "at the center of our choices," while making the "rejected stones" of society the cornerstone, which he listed as including "the poor, the sick, the migrants, and the least among us."RELATED: Brazil sends off its World Cup team in the most Catholic way possible Human-created art now used by the Little Catholic Box. Image courtesy the Little Catholic BoxThe Little Catholic Box said the company is still going to sell through its original set of AI works, but has now paid out human artist commissions for the new products."We feel really good about the direction these products are headed, but it honestly bothers us that Set 1 is still for sale," the company claimed.In a comment to Blaze News, owner Greg Johnson said AI was initially used to generate images of the saints because the company "believed it was the fastest and cheapest way to bring them into existence with extremely limited resources."Johnson said they immediately discovered that a large segment of their market was "adamantly opposed to the use of AI" for this purpose, and when further research was conducted into AI ethics, they "concluded that we could no longer use it.""While our initial decision to use AI seemed to make sense at the time, we did not fully understand how its use would alienate a significant portion of our audience, some of whom we will never win back," he added.At first, Johnson also explained, he did not fully understand the arguments against the use of AI around sacred images.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The trial for a Bulgarian immigrant to Scotland took an unexpected turn when the judge made a ruling surrounding claims of racism.Ilia Belov, a 22-year-old Bulgarian immigrant, was convicted on Thursday following a violent incident with a group of young girls that took place last September, resulting in one female, then 12 years old, being dubbed the "Scottish axe girl."'The words of the children were eloquent to describe your behavior.'The young lady and her family had said for months that she had acted in self-defense when she wielded an axe and a blade in order to protect herself and her friends from abusive migrants.This week, the judge of Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Timothy Niven-Smith, convicted Belov after seeing what was described as "proof beyond reasonable doubt."As reported by the Irish News, Scottish axe girl, now 13, claimed Belov made sexual remarks to her as she and friends walked to a bus stop: "He kept saying, 'Come here sexy. I will show you how to have a good time,'" the girl recalled. She also said Belov shoved her to the ground while his sister, whom he called for help, arrived and attacked another girl.The Bulgarian agreed that he both called his sister and shoved the girl, but only to protect his sister after allegedly seeing the young girl had a knife under her shirt. He also denied making sexual remarks and accused the girls of calling him a "f*****g migrant."However, the judge was not having it.On top of describing Belov's defense as "neither credible nor reliable," Niven-Smith called it a revision of the facts, especially in the face of video evidence that was shown to the court.RELATED: 'No such thing as a defensive weapon': Judge warns Scottish axe girl she shouldn't have carried blades Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Niven-Smith then completely dressed the Bulgarian down, saying that he found his testimony to be "wholly unconvincing and self-serving."The judge called out inconsistencies in Belov's story, including that he had turned his back to the girl despite claiming he was fearful he would be attacked by her. Niven-Smith then blamed Belov's comments as the reason the whole ordeal started.“I accept that as a result of the comments you made abuse was directed at you, which included swear words, including you being called a 'f*****g creep and an immigrant,'" the judge detailed.Then, Niven-Smith delivered a striking rebuff of Belov's defense."The words of the children were eloquent to describe your behavior given your age and their respective ages," the judge stated. "Having made the sexual remarks to the children you then, enraged by the fact that they became angry and started shouting abuse at you, followed them."Niven-Smith criticized Belov for calling his sister — who "immediately" attacked one of the girls on arrival — instead of calling the police or leaving the area.RELATED: Police charge man and woman in connection with Scottish axe girl incident NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images Belov's claim that the young girl could be seen with a knife under her T-shirt was also rejected, with the judge saying he was "entirely satisfied" that the video footage showed the Bulgarian indeed assaulted the girl.Belov was convicted of assault and behaving in a "threatening or abusive manner" toward four girls.His sister, 20-year-old Nadjedzha Belova, pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting a 13-year-old girl.The siblings will be sentenced on August 5.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Marine veteran and former Alaska Attorney General Daniel S. Sullivan has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is now seeking re-election. The Anchorage-based Republican's route to victory is anything but assured, especially with Democratic challenger and former Rep. Mary Peltola leading him in recent polls.The Alaska Division of Elections appears, however, to be eliminating at least one obstacle to Sullivan's success in the Last Frontier's Aug. 18 nonpartisan top-four primary, namely Daniel J. Sullivan of Petersburg.'The preponderance of evidence does not support your eligibility.'J. Sullivan, a 69-year-old retired teacher who was born in the Midwest, reportedly registered as a Republican earlier this year and entered the race to oust Sen. S. Sullivan on May 29, just before the deadline for filing.The namesake challenger said that he had "every right to stand up and do this" and characterized himself as a "pragmatic Republican centrist."Something stinksThe newly minted Republican's candidacy didn't pass the smell test where Sen. S. Sullivan, other Alaska Republicans, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee were concerned.Sen. S. Sullivan told CNN earlier this month that J. Sullivan's candidacy was effectively a Democratic effort to "cheat."The senator said, "Democrats recruited a guy by the name of Dan Sullivan. He is a liberal progressive, right. We've seen it — his donations to all the far-left groups. He's donated to Peltola, OK. His whole purpose of running is to confuse Alaskans."RELATED: Steve Hilton secures spot in California gubernatorial runoff and considers teaming up with Spencer Pratt Ex-Rep. Mary Peltola (D). Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service/Getty Images.Alaska's News Source confirmed that a Dan Sullivan with a Petersburg zip code had previously donated to Peltola campaigns — in 2022 and in 2024. A spokesman for Peltola's campaign has denied involvement with J. Sullivan's Senate bid.The NRSC filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission on June 6, stating that "there is reason to believe Daniel J. Sullivan and Amber Lee of Amber Lee Strategies have engaged in a coordinated scheme to launch a U.S. Senate candidacy in violation of the Federal Election Act's prohibition on fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority at 52 U.S.C. §30124."Blake Murphy, general counsel for the NRSC, noted in the complaint that:J. Sullivan's campaign logo and website "closely mimics" that of S. Sullivan's campaign branding; J. Sullivan has donated to Peltola; the press release promoting J. Sullivan's candidacy for Senate was authored by Amber Lee, a Democratic consultant and Peltola supporter; and FEC records show that Amber Lee Strategies has received thousands of dollars for "PAC Strategy Consulting" from a federal PAC that has supported Peltola.Murphy suggested that the purpose of J. Sullivan and Lee's alleged fraudulent misrepresentation was to "deceive and mislead Alaskan voters to the detriment of another candidate."The NRSC asked the FEC to investigate the matter and — in the event that wrongdoing is confirmed and found willful — refer it to the Justice Department for further review.The Alaska Republican Party separately filed a pair of complaints with the state's Division of Election. One of the complaints claimed that J. Sullivan's candidacy was improper because his declaration of candidacy said he was affiliated with the GOP despite having an "undeclared" political affiliation at the time, reported the Anchorage Daily News.DisqualificationAlaska Lt. Gov Nancy Dahlstrom notified J. Sullivan on June 8 that she had requested an investigation into his eligibility, claiming that the allegations against him were credible.On Wednesday, Carol Beecher, director of the Division of Elections, delivered the namesake challenger some bad news, writing, "Based on a review of the evidence presented and in the [Division of Elections'] possession, the Division has determined that the preponderance of evidence does not support your eligibility for the office of United States senator."Beecher gave J. Sullivan until 5 p.m. on Thursday to respond to the Alaska GOP's complaints, after which time she said a final determination would be made.The namesake challenger said in response that Dahlstrom's "actions create the impression that the state government is being used to protect an incumbent senator from facing competition at the ballot box. That's not how elections should work.""I am a qualified candidate who followed the rules and filed to run for office under my legal name. Yet, unsupported accusations have been given credibility while political operatives continue their effort to keep me off the ballot," continued J. Sullivan. "The people of Alaska are fully capable of deciding for themselves who should represent them in Washington."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A former Louisiana mayor — described as a "predator" with "Botox and high heels" — learned her fate after being convicted of child sex crimes for abusing her teen son's underage friend at an alcohol-fueled pool party, according to multiple reports.In March, 44-year-old Misty Roberts was convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile.'This predator was not hiding in a van carrying candy or a puppy.'Fox News reported that Roberts was sentenced on Tuesday to 90 days in jail for having sex with a teen boy in 2024 while she was mayor of DeRidder.Roberts received two concurrent five-year suspended sentences, which she will avoid serving provided she complies with the terms of her probation.The judge ordered Roberts to register as a sex offender and pay a $5,000 fine.Prosecutors petitioned for her to receive the maximum prison sentence of 17 years for both charges.According to KPLC-TV, Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage said, "We argued for the maximum sentences, which we feel are appropriate. I don’t think the sentence that was imposed reflects the severity of the crimes."Roberts' defense attorney Todd Clemons said of the judge's ruling, "We appreciate that the judge put a lot of thought and consideration into this decision."Clemons said, "The state wanted 17 years, so the outcome could have been much worse than 90 days."Roberts could be released from prison in fewer than 90 days with good behavior, her attorneys said.Roberts' attorneys stated, "With the good-time credit available under Louisiana law, the time Misty actually serves is expected to be shorter, and she intends to begin serving it without delay, complete it, and meet every condition the court has set."Roberts’ co-counsel Adam Johnson insisted that she already has received "a life sentence" by having to register as a sex offender.According to KPLC, Roberts' attorneys previously requested a new trial, blaming "inconsistencies" in the victim’s testimony. However, Judge Kent Savoie denied a new trial.KPLC reported that a statement from the victim's mother was read in the courtroom: "This predator was not hiding in a van carrying candy or a puppy.""This danger came from a predator with hair extensions, high heels, Botox, and other modifications," the mom said before Roberts was sentenced.Roberts told the judge, "I blame myself then, I blame myself today, and I will blame myself for the rest of my life. I let a lot of people down, and I am the only person responsible for that.”According to KPLC, Roberts added, "What an embarrassment I’ve been to this city. I've made a mess of all of this, but it certainly was not my intent."Roberts told the courtroom, "I just want to be their mom. I'm here just asking for grace and mercy and the opportunity to do what the Lord has asked me to do, which is be a mom."Roberts added, "To the [victim’s] family, I am sorry. I can’t give back the high school days ... I can’t take away the embarrassment that so many mean people on the internet have put them through."American Press reported that Dr. Sasha Joy Lambert, a clinical psychologist hired to evaluate Roberts' mental health, determined that the former mayor "was not mentally healthy" around the time of the incident.Lambert said Roberts was dealing with her father's declining health, her divorce, and her fiancé committing suicide."She was in a mental health crisis," Lambert said of Roberts.RELATED: Teens describe shattered lives as 'party mom' gets max punishment: 'It's her turn to serve a very long sentence in jail' KPLC reported that lead prosecutor Charles Robinson stated, "We're talking about an elected public official who had sex with a child at a children’s birthday party."The New York Post reported that Robinson also said of Roberts, "This is not a dumb lady. This is somebody who managed an entire city budget."Robinson noted, "She has not come to the realization of accountability. She is not sorry."Blaze News previously reported that Roberts had been serving her second term as mayor after winning re-election in 2022 at the time of the child sex abuse.In another previous Blaze News report, Roberts told the victim he "looked good, started winking at him, and dancing on him" during the boozy pool party.The victim — who was a friend of Roberts' son — said he was intoxicated when Roberts sexually assaulted him."While it was happening, I couldn’t feel my body," the teen said of the sexual encounter. "After we had sex, I kinda was realizing what was happening."Roberts' daughter testified that she saw her mother and the victim "on top of each other" on the night of the party.Duncan Clanton — Roberts' ex-husband and father of their two children — testified in court that his ex-wife informed him she had sex with a minor.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!