A new scam is targeting you and your Amazon account. High schoolers taking college classes. And something to look forward to in August! Here’s a quick round-up of some of the things you need to know this week:

Number 1. If you deal with Amazon, you’ll want to know about this new scam.

Customers are complaining about receiving texts, emails, and even phone calls from someone claiming to be with Amazon. The scammer then writes or says, “Your account is going to be suspended or deleted immediately. We need you to verify your login credentials and payment information.”

The scammer then points you to a link in a text or email, or the caller demands you to verify your account details. All of it is fake. A fraud.

Amazon officials are saying these scammers are trying to bully customers, and released this statement:

Amazon will never ask you to disclose your password or verify sensitive personal information over the phone or on any website other than Amazon.com. Please do not click on any links or provide your information to anyone over the phone.

We want you to be safe. Delete the text or email. Hang up on the caller. Please do not fall for these terrible tactics.

Number 2. Is Artificial Intelligence the next election challenge for Wisconsin?

State lawmakers have not tackled what’s known as generative artificial intelligence, even as we move closer to the 2024 election. So, what’s the worry?

AI can draft a fundraising email or campaign graphic in seconds, there’s no writing or design skills required. Or, as the Republican National Committee showed in April, it can create life-like videos of China invading Taiwan, or migrants crossing the U.S. border — and all of it made entirely of fake AI-generated footage.

The state of Washington has already required that political ads disclose if artificial intelligence was used, while others are banning the technology altogether.

Wisconsin leaders are talking about it, but that’s about it. You can read the latest, here.

Number 3. Wisconsin students are saving time and money by taking college classes before graduating from high school.

A just released study from the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows nearly one in four high schoolers earned college credit during the 2021-22 school year. 

The top subjects for high school students taking University of Wisconsin System classes are math, English, and Spanish. Medical terminology, introduction to psychology, and oral/interpersonal communications are most popular among the Wisconsin Technical College System courses.

By the way, the number of students taking college classes while still in high school has more than doubled in the last ten years. Read more about the study, here.

Number 4. The heat is on. And on. And on.

And Wisconsin isn’t prepared. This ongoing summer drought is being called a surprise despite 18 of the state’s counties being part of a disaster declaration issued by the US Department of Agriculture this month.

The current drought conditions are in part thought to be caused by the masses of dry air moving over Wisconsin from Canada’s continuing wildfires. Our friends with UpNorthNews put together a great list for your own preparedness. It includes: checking your appliances which can use excess water, take a look at your personal water habits, and cutting back on how often you water your lawn. Find more information and tips, here.

Number 5. The EAA AirVenture Fly-in, one of the state’s biggest summer events, is almost over. But there’s still more fun ahead!

The EAA Fly-in brings 650 thousand people, 10 thousand airplanes, across the 16 acres of grounds in Oshkosh. Governor Tony Evers calling it one of the most significant events for the state, thanks to all of the money being spent here — more than $170 million dollars. We had a great time bringing you unique stories about the fly-in and are already looking forward to next year.

So, what’s next? The Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis runs August 3-13. If you don’t go for the entertainment or the animals, at least go for the food. There are more than 150 new items to give your taste buds a thrill. Plus, listen to your local Civic Media Radio Station and you may even be able to win tickets to the fair.

The Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau is August 1-6, and the Civic Media team will be there! Look for the “truth tent” set-up on the fairgrounds. Wonder why this fair is considered one of the best? Listen to this report about it:

And there are your quick updates. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Teri Barr