AI Ghosts, Papal Ties & Disney’s New Playground

Let’s Get In Sync

Happy Friday and it’s a busy one! Here’s what we’re tracking:

• ✝️ Pope Leo’s Connection to a San Diego High School: What’s the Real Story?

• ⚖️ Ghost on the Stand: AI Brings Dead Man Back to Deliver a Chilling Message to His Killer.

• 🏰 Disney’s 7th Resort: New Magic, New Price Tag. Ready to Book?

Gas prices in California are on a steep climb, and they might hit a jaw-dropping $8 per gallon by the end of 2026, according to a new report from USC’s Marshall School of Business. 

A Little Deeper

• Projection Spike: Regular gas could jump to $7.35 - $8.43 per gallon, up 75% from the current $4.82 average.

• Refinery Fallout: The Valero refinery fire in Benicia has already nudged prices higher as of May 8, per AAA.

• What’s Next: With only nine refineries left producing gas in California, supply constraints and market volatility could keep the pressure on prices.

Pope Leo’s San Diego Ties

Pope Leo may be making waves as the new leader of the Catholic Church, but his roots run deep and not just in Chicago. Yes, he’s a die-hard White Sox fan who loves Wordle and tennis, but did you know he also has ties to San Diego?

• San Diego Connection: He’s visited St. Augustine High School multiple times and even celebrated Mass on campus for the school’s 90th anniversary back in 2012-2013.

• Beloved by the Community: The school community still remembers him fondly as Father Provost, a compassionate leader who listened to everyone.

• From the Seminary to the Vatican: Father Max, who roomed with Pope Leo during seminary in Chicago, says he’s always been a unifier, a leader who brings people together from all corners of the church.

Rapid Reads

💫Friday Showdown: Menendez Brothers Ask Judge to Remove L.A. DA From Case.

💫Think Apple Owes You? Time’s Ticking on the $95M Siri Settlement.

💫Battle of the Billionaires: Melinda Gates Drops a Reality Check on Elon Musk.

💫FDA Cracks Down on 'Gas Station Heroin': The Dangerous Drug Hiding in Plain Sight.

💫Wealthy, Unbothered: This Central Coast City Shrugs Off Waterfront Concerns.

💫College Decision Day Goes OTT, Inside the Rise of Bed Party Blowouts.

💫Clean or Just Clever Marketing? Seven Water Filters to the Test.

Tangle Is a Glimpse of Hope in Uncertain Times

Feeling like you want to get off the rollercoaster of polarizing politics? Read Tangle — an independent and nonpartisan political newsletter recently profiled on This American Life for helping to bridge the gap between politically divided families. Each day, the newsletter unpacks one important news story, examining it from all sides of the political spectrum.

Read it for free.

Recalibrate

A Voice from Beyond

This one’s a jaw-dropper: A judge in Arizona allowed a family to use AI to let their dead brother deliver his victim impact statement during the sentencing of his killer.

👉What We Know

📍Christopher Pelkey was a 37-year-old Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage incident.

📍He appeared as an AI-generated video in court to address his killer, Gabriel Paul Horcasitas.

📍The chilling message? “In another life, we probably could have been friends.”

🚨Why It Matters

• Controversial Decision: Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, was at a loss for words so she decided to let her brother speak for himself.

• Legal First: In what’s believed to be a U.S. courtroom first, the family used AI to recreate Pelkey’s likeness, combining old photos, audio clips, and a scripted statement.

• Family Project: Stacey Wales' husband, Tim, works with AI and edited the video with colleagues.

⏭️What’s Next

• Appeals Incoming: Horcasitas’ attorney is already fighting back, arguing the judge relied too heavily on the AI video when handing down the 10.5-year prison sentence.

• The Legal Question: The family’s attorney says Arizona law allows victims to deliver their impact statements in any digital format. But that is now up to a judge to decide.

Before You Go

Mickey’s heading to the Middle East…

Disney just announced its planning to build its next resort in Abu Dhabi. This “Happiest Place on Earth” will be built as a waterfront wonderland on Yas Island in 2030 (ish). CEO Bob Iger calls it “authentically Disney but distinctly Emirate.” Some analysts say it could be cheaper than booking Anaheim or Orlando! Read why here.