Missing Persons: The Case of the Humboldt Five

 

The term "Humboldt Five" was coined to describe five missing women whose disappearances occurred in Humboldt County, California, or nearby areas, between the years of 1993 and 2014. While law enforcement has not officially grouped them, true-crime researchers and the media often refer to them collectively due to geographic patterns, similar victim profiles, and linked persons of interest. Below are the women who make up the missing five:

Jennifer "Jade" Wilmer (September 1993)

Jennifer disappeared after hitchhiking in Willow Creek. Known as a free spirit, her case grew cold until her mother’s advocacy led to "Jennifer’s Law," which has improved unidentified remains reporting.

Karen Marie Mitchell (November 1997)

Last seen walking in Eureka, Karen’s case included a witness spotting a 1977 Granada which she was seen getting into. Despite extensive searches, no leads emerged, although suspects like Wayne Adam Ford and Robert Durst were linked to the case.

Christine Lindsey Walters (2008)

Christine vanished after being found disoriented near Arcata, claiming she had been followed. She was last seen looking very disheveled and acting very paranoid, while looking over her shoulder. Authorities consider her an endangered missing person  .

Danielle Brooks Bertolini (February 2014)

Last seen accepting a ride near Fortuna, Danielle’s skull was discovered along the Eel River in 2015. Investigators labeled her case suspicious, and she was associated with one person of interest.

Sheila Sherrell Franks (February 2014)

Sheila disappeared from Fortuna in the same year as Danielle. A femur was found by the Eel River in 2019, which was identified as hers. She was last seen with the same person of interest linked to Danielle, thus their cases were connected, and their families teamed up to locate them.

These cases are frequently grouped as the Humboldt Five due to the overlapping timelines, rural locations, and similar victim profiles. While they remain unsolved (apart from partial remains in the last two), their persistent connections keep public and investigator interest alive.

Missing Persons: Where is Norine Higuchi Brown?

On December 12, 1990, the night before her 32nd birthday, Norine Higuchi Brown, a mother of two from New Hyde Park, New York, disappeared during a late-night grocery run.

According to her husband, John Brown, then a firefighter, she left their home around 11 p.m., following an argument, to buy cookie ingredients and never returned. The following morning, Norine's car was found locked in the parking lot of a Pathmark grocery store, with Christmas presents inside, and $45 in her pocketbook, all in the the back seat. Her purse, wallet, and ID however, were left at home.

According to Brown's friend, Elaine Comando, Norine and her husband, John had a tumultuous marriage, which led to suspicions that he may have something to do with his wife's disappearance. Suspicions arose further when her husband reportedly did not participate in the search, and hired a lawyer to speak for him rather than speak to authorities and the media himself about the case, and a well was also sealed off at their backyard. This well remained unexcavated despite being deemed a “place of interest” in 2019. 

As of 2025, the Nassau County Police Department continues its investigation. Norine Brown’s case is still open and unsolved. Her family and advocates continue to seek justice, urging authorities to revisit the site and keep the investigation active.

John Brown is now remarried and has never been named a suspect in the disappearance of Norine Brown. 

The Hidden Business of Instagram Memes: How They’re Making Millions

 

Instagram meme pages are transforming from just pastime accounts to full-fledged revenue engines. Today’s top meme curators are monetizing humor through affiliate links, brand sponsorships, and merchandise. 

According to a recent Reddit deep dive on Instagram’s subscription model, these creators earn recurring monthly income per subscriber, in addition to shoppable posts via Instagram Shop. The sale of meme NFTs like Disaster Girl, which fetched about $500,000, highlights how memes have become very valuable intellectual property. Memework managers also play a key role by negotiating deals and licensing jokes.

As the meme culture becomes a mainstream advertising fodder, these accounts are redefining influencer marketing, proving that laughs can also be turned into a lucrative business.

Crypto Jobs Are Booming: How to Get Paid in Digital Gold

The crypto job market is experiencing a massive boom, with demand across DeFi, Web3, smart contracts, and blockchain security. According to a report guide, roles like blockchain developers and Web3 specialists pay up to $200,000. 

Another report also projects that blockchain could generate 1.5 million jobs by 2030, which may even rival AI, thanks to corporate and public sector adoption. Meanwhile, a Glassdoor data shows blockchain job postings have increased by more than 300%, offering median salaries of $32K higher than average roles in the U.S.

With specialized fields like security architecture, UX/UI, and analytics in high demand, crypto jobs roles offer lucrative pathways for those equipped with the right skills and certifications, especially in the evolving worlds of Web3, DeFi, and NFTs.

 

AI Girlfriends, Virtual Crimes, and the Future of Online Relationships

The rise of AI-generated girlfriends; digital companions trained on language and relationship models is now the trend reshaping intimacy online. Platforms like iGirl, Replika, and DreamGF allow their users to interact with AI partners through acts like sexting, flirtation, and even simulated emotional support. 

While some claim these AIs combat loneliness, many others have also raise ethical concerns. According to certain sources, experts fear regular interactions with such platforms can distort perceptions of real-world relationships and reinforce toxic behavior, especially among isolated users. 

In some apps, users are even allowed to simulate violent scenarios or dominance over female avatars, sparking several online debates on virtual consent and gender norms. A recent article from a source revealed alarming cases of users developing obsessive behavior or expecting real-world women to emulate the AI characters they usually interact with. 

On the other hand, some researchers argue that, with the right safeguards, AI partners may support mental health. Per reports, even Replika’s CEO says their goal is to make "machines that resonate with the soul". Despite this, experts still emphasize a need for clearer ethical boundaries, transparency in programming, and policies that prevent dehumanization or abuse. 

As generative AI continues evolving, it will become increasingly important for everyone to understand the blurred lines between fantasy, companionship, and digital accountability in these blinding virtual relationships.

From Side Hustle to Six Figures: People Making Money in Unexpected Ways

 

In 2025, niche side hustles are propelling even the ordinary individual into six-figure incomes. On Upwork, top freelance software engineers can earn over $1 million through milestone-driven contracts, per the SWE‑Lancer benchmark of 1,400 real-world tasks.

Upwork data also shows U.S. freelancers average nearly $99,000 annually, with experienced professionals earning up to about $275,000. In fact, one developer reported that she earned $600,000, an average of $120,000 per year over five years (2017 - 2022) that she worked on Upwork alone. 

Similarly, Fiverr Go, a new AI-powered assistant of the Fiverr platform, is helping creators to scale premium services like digital marketing or graphic design, leading to services revenue growing at about 94% year-over-year in early 2025. Although most sellers on Fiverr earn modestly, 96–97% report monthly income below $500. So it can be said that top-tier freelancers are the ones thriving . 

These success stories underscore a growing reality that with just the right skills, platforms, and persistence, side hustles and freelancing can evolve into full-time, high-income careers, powered by social media presence, high-value expertise, and efficient gig infrastructure.

The Business of Conspiracies: Why Fake News Still Pays Big in 2025

Despite years of content moderation campaigns, conspiracy theories still remain lucrative as of 2025. Whether it is the flat Earth theories, political hoaxes, or vaccine denials, these narratives dominate engagement on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

Conspiracy influencers often monetize their reach using ad revenue, book sales, affiliate links, and paid subscriptions. According to a recent report, QAnon content continues to circulate despite platform bans, with creators moving to some of the lesser-regulated networks and building loyal, paying followings. 

Meanwhile, the viral nature of conspiracy content which is often based on mystery, fear, or anti-establishment sentiment, makes it more algorithmically favored. Researchers from the Harvard Kennedy School warn that “disinformation entrepreneurs” have optimized this business model, thereby creating an entire ecosystems of echo chambers. 

Podcasts and streaming channels have also capitalized on these theories, attracting advertisers who are willing to bypass mainstream scrutiny. Although some platforms have tightened their policies, the enforcement of these policies themselves remain deficient. The problem is not just ideological, it is also economic. 

Fake news thrives because it earns a lot of money, builds communities, and offers an emotional hook. Until content moderation becomes consistently enforced across all platforms across the world, conspiracy economies will continue to grow, and feed on distrust, polarization, and algorithmic amplification.

Some Viral Twitter Threads That Sparked Real-Life Investigations

 

Twitter, (now X), always shows its ability to turn viral threads into real-world action. One of the most impactful threads involved a whistleblower exposing so-called fake "organic" labels on grocery items. After about a millions of views and mainstream pickup, a Canadian supermarket chain changed its packaging and launched an internal audit thereafter. 

Another major thread documented accusations of sexual harassment inside a San Francisco tech firm. Within days, the company in question placed the accused on leave and began a formal probe. A third viral story also revealed a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign, prompting the platform to suspend the account and refund donors. 

While some members of the public worry about misinformation and trial-by-social-media, the examples mentioned above show how digital activism can drive accountability. The format which involves bite-sized facts, embedded documents, and most often, first-person accounts, makes it accessible and engaging. It also enables marginalized voices to bypass traditional media gatekeeping. However, some critics warn that viral reach doesn’t always equal truth, and most false accusations have occasionally gone unverified. 

The rise of thread-led investigations demonstrates both the promise and peril of real-time crowd-sourced justice. As social media platforms remain primary news sources, users must also learn to balance advocacy with critical thinking.

Athletes who are Secretly Crypto Whales - You’ll be Shocked to see who made the list!

In the past few years, several high-profile athletes have quietly become major players in the world of crypto, way beyond just endorsements. One such notable athlete is Serena Williams, who invested in Coinbase (which has since been removed from her portfolio), and blockchain startups through Serena Ventures. 

Tom Brady also co-founded the NFT platform Autograph, which has since evolved into a larger platform no longer centered on just NFTs. Autograph brought together athletes and entertainers for exclusive digital collectibles. Boxer Floyd Mayweather is well known for having publicly backed Bitcoin and lesser-known altcoins, and later launching his own NFTs and participating in crypto-related promotions despite SEC warnings.

Another well known athlete who is a crypto whale is NFL’s Odell Beckham Jr., who famously took his salary in Bitcoin in 2021, at a sum of $750, 000. Though that move was controversial due to price fluctuations, it also spotlighted cryptocurrency as a viable payroll option. 

These athletes aren't just dabbling in crypto, they are shaping narratives and adoption through their ventures. Their influence further extends to fan tokens, NFTs, decentralized apps, and partnerships that give sports lovers and fans a stake in new Web3 experiences. 

While some investments have been volatile, the overall presence of these athletes, and some others who aren't mentioned here, confirms that crypto is more than just a craze in pro sports. Rather, it is a new frontier of financial control and branding for global athletes.

Risk Warning: Investing in cryptocurrency is akin to being a venture capital investor. The cryptocurrency market is available worldwide 24 x 7 for trading with no market close or open times. Please do your own risk assessment when deciding how to invest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

 

Crypto Heists of 2025 So Far: How Hackers Are Evolving Faster Than Security

Over $2 billion has been stolen through crypto hacks and exploits in the first half of 2025, per reports. Unlike older tactics like phishing, this year's hackers use AI-assisted tools to scan smart contracts for vulnerabilities, and further execute precision-based attacks. 

Decentralized finances (DeFi) remain the most targeted sector among hackers, followed by NFT marketplaces. Security auditors are struggling to keep up with the ever evolving tactics of these scammers, thus prompting calls for AI-driven, real-time threat monitoring. 

Meanwhile, state-sponsored groups like North Korea's Lazarus Group which attacked Dubai based exchange Bybit in March this year, are suspected in high-profile breaches. With growing popularity of cross-chain protocols, vulnerabilities keep increasing, and there is no saving grace in sight, at least, not yet.

Experts warn investors to use cold wallets, and avoid patronizing untested DeFi platforms. It is no longer enough to be cautious, cryptocurrency users must now be proactive and highly informed, in order to have their funds well secured.

 

Is the Bitcoin Bull Run back? What Analysts are saying in June 2025

Bitcoin surged above $100,000 in June 2025, prompting speculations and expectations of a new bull run being underway. Analysts point to the combination of some macroeconomic factors such as ETF inflows, and increased institutional adoption as the catalyst to this new bull run we are currently witnessing. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF alone saw a total of about $6.4 billion in new investments by the end of May 2025. 

On-chain data shows there has been a sharp decline in exchange balances, typically a bullish indicator as holders move assets to cold storage. There are reports that over 70% of BTC hasn't moved in about a year, indicating a strong conviction among long-term Bitcoin investors. 

Meanwhile, El Salvador also made BTC its legal tender, drawing attention back to Bitcoin’s use as sovereign finance, though some critics caution that regulatory crackdowns in Asia could spark short-term volatility.

Sentiment remains high, regardless, especially with Ethereum’s May 2025 upgrade improving the overall crypto ecosystem. While no rally is guaranteed, the numbers and momentum in this bull run suggest Bitcoin’s next big wave may already be here.

Risk Warning: Investing in cryptocurrency is akin to being a venture capital investor. The cryptocurrency market is available worldwide 24 x 7 for trading with no market close or open times. Please do your own risk assessment when deciding how to invest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.