FROM THE MAILBOX

----The blog has been receiving reports of a wave of AI‑altered or fully AI‑generated videos that have been spreading online--and on assorted local facebook pages. These videos are often mixed in with real footage. 

NBC News and the Star Tribune both reported that AI‑manipulated images and videos have been misleading millions. There is one about Minneapolis in particular in which The Independent specifically highlighted a viral Minneapolis protest video that was confirmed to be an AI fake, explaining how synthetic protest crowds and overhead shots are being mass‑produced and circulated. AFP also debunked a separate Minneapolis protest clip that included an AI watermark, showing how some of these fakes are being sloppily exported.  

Bottom line; always check, double check, and verify....THEN REPEAT...and good luck. The blog will not be posting any of these "outrage hashtag resist" videos here.  We're too busy with Lent, Eagles, shoveling snow, getting ready for St. Patrick's Day, and the Olympics.

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----A reader believes she saw an article on the "Smith Band" in Peekskill last year but can't find it.

Response: Might you mean this? 2025; THE AUGUST 7TH THROUGH 13TH EDITION OF THE GAZETTE -- PAGE 8 -- FEATURES THOMAS STAUDTER'S "ON THE BEAT"---with a wonderful piece--on the Alex Smith Quartet in Peekskill. The paper does not have an online presence but is on sale just about everywhere. CONTACT THE EDITOR FOR A POTENTIAL BACK COPY thegazette.us@gmail.com

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-----A reader recalls an event at the now closed Danish Home involving the rescue of Danish Jews during the war; she wondered if there was anything online.

Response: Indeed there is. Thank you Croton United EverythingCroton: PHOTO ALBUM COURTESY OF CROTON UNITED: DANISH HOME COMMEMORATES 1943 RESCUE OF DANISH JEWS