Humanity Unplugged is a podcast that listens to the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and the everyday moments, life‑changing events, and world news that shape us and brings them into honest, compassionate conversation. We believe knowing Jesus Christ makes a way: offering hope, healing, and a framework for reconciliation. Through real stories, thoughtful dialogue, and practical insight, we pursue clearer communication and deeper understanding so listeners can engage their communities with wisdom and love. Join us as we unplug the noise, share what matters, and walk together toward truth, service, and renewed hope.

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There are no US ground troops deployed in Haiti, though US warships are stationed off the coast as a show of force. The US supports and provides resources to the international Multinational Security Support (MSS) gang-suppression mission.Gains exclusive access to Erik Prince&#39;s operation in Haiti as security forces battle gangs that control much of Port-au-Prince. Nick Paton Walsh examines the private security tycoon’s bid to succeed where others have failed.

EP: 162 Haiti hired us mercenaries to fight its gangs.

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Over 2,000 individuals were arrested during a weekend marked by riots, looting, and violent confrontations across France. Protesting students joined forces with trade unions and Yellow Vest demonstrators, rallying over 500,000 people onto the streets. How will President Macron tackle this significant challenge in the final phase of his presidency? Palki Sharma reports.Across Europe, from France to Italy and Spain to Portugal, young people are mobilizing in significant numbers to protest against their governments. What is driving this rising wave of unrest in one of the wealthiest regions of the world? Palki Sharma outlines the four primary factors behind this growing rebellion.

EP: 161 What's going on in France?

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What we know about the mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Perry Street: the timeline, the police response, the coroner&#39;s findings, and what remains unknown.On October 9, 2026, police in Erie, PA, responded to a ShotSpotter alert at a home on Perry Street near East 7th. Nine people died, including two young children and the suspected shooter. Early reports described a standoff, but the city later corrected that account. This video walks through what authorities have confirmed and what they haven&#39;t.The Timeline<ul><li>Before 4:53 PM: Muffled gunfire was captured inside the residence by neighborhood surveillance video. Investigators believe all victims inside the home were already deceased before police were notified. </li><li>4:53 PM: A nearby ShotSpotter activation was triggered by gunfire outside the home. The gunman, Matthew Stone Sr., emerged from the house, called out to two women who had just arrived at the scene, and shot them fatally on the sidewalk. He then retreated into the house. </li><li>4:55 PM: The first Erie police officer arrives on the scene, followed by additional units. </li></ul>The Police Response<ul><li>Rapid Arrival: Officers arrived in less than two minutes after the ShotSpotter alert. Within five minutes, eight officers had surrounded the home. </li><li>Standoff Clarification: Initial reports suggested an active standoff. However, Chief Rick Lorah later clarified that no shots were fired, no cries for help were heard, and no movement was seen inside after officers arrived. </li><li>Tactical Entry: After securing a search warrant, a SWAT team entered the residence and discovered the bodies. </li><li>Evidence Collected: Investigators recovered a registered .40 caliber handgun, a partially full magazine, an empty magazine, and several cell phones belonging to the victims. </li></ul>

EP: 160 He Killed 9 People in His Own Family… Including His Pregnant Daughter and Grandchildren.

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A 28-year-old researcher at an anti-plague laboratory in Russia has died after developing severe pneumonia, prompting quarantine and medical monitoring of nearly 200 people who may have come into contact with her. Russian authorities say there is no confirmed plague outbreak and have described the illness as pneumonia of unknown origin. But questions about possible laboratory exposure, conflicting reports, and concerns about transparency have fuelled speculation. Here is what we know, and what remains unconfirmed. ﻿The U.S. is closely monitoring a potential case of pneumonic plague in Russia after a laboratory worker who studied the disease fell ill and died. Russian authorities insist there is no cause for alarm, but officials have imposed quarantines and other measures at several medical facilities in Siberia. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Annie Jacobsen, author of &#34;Biological War: A Scenario.&#34;

EP: 159 Russia Plague Scare: Lab Researchers

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You asked; we are here to answer. With many of our news desk reporters and editors working remotely because of floodwaters or wading through inundated streets to reach the newsroom, we are working nonstop to deliver real-time updates as the situation develops.Here is what we know about the flood crisis in the capital:What does a disaster declaration allow? The disaster zone declaration is a legal mechanism that allows national and local authorities quicker access to emergency funds and equipment. Part of Thailand’s broader disaster management framework, it is intended to ensure affected residents receive timely assistance and relief operations are coordinated efficiently to minimise damage.Which Bangkok districts are worst affected?Eastern fringe areas remain severely inundated, with many residents stranded in their homes with limited access to essential supplies. The hardest hit part of the capital is Lat Krabang, where there are up to 40,000 victims. Districts such as Bang Kapi, Khannayao, Lak Si and Saphan Sung continue to face high water levels. By contrast, central business corridors like Sukhumvit and Silom-Sathorn sit on higher, better-drained ground

EP: 158 Stay ready. It's not over yet! Thailand Floods 1.7 million people hit.

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Indonesia is facing a major volcanic emergency after reports said at least six volcanoes were erupting at the same time. Ash has risen as high as 50,000 feet and drifted roughly 150 kilometres, affecting areas as far as Jakarta. Eight airports have been shut down, and more than 2,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled. Ash has also blanketed roads and vehicles, forcing some schools to close and residents to wear masks. The largest eruption is coming from Anak Krakatau, in the Sunda Strait.Southern Ohio is facing a major 5-day flood disaster after days of relentless rainfall, with up to 7 inches of rain triggering dangerous flash flooding. Multiple water rescues were reported, a hospital was surrounded by floodwaters, and major roads and highways were closed across the region. Watch for the latest Southern Ohio flood updates, road closures, flood warnings, and weather conditions.

EP: 157 Let's talk about it

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On August 11, 2026, a severe derecho storm caused a massive two-week blackout in Gary, Indiana. Thousands of residents were left without power until most of the service was restored by August 26, 2026.The storm brought straight-line winds of 70 to 100 mph, striking northwest Indiana and causing power outages for over 370,000 NIPSCO customers. While nearby towns quickly regained power, Gary remained in the dark for a significantly longer period.Officials and residents attributed the prolonged blackout to aging equipment, inadequate maintenance, and historical underfunding of the power infrastructure.The impact on residents was profound. Grocery stores closed, gas stations ran out of fuel, and schools had to shut down. People who relied on medical equipment, such as breathing machines and oxygen, faced significant health risks. Additionally, families lost hundreds of dollars in spoiled food due to the hot summer weather.In response to the blackout, authorities launched an investigation to determine the root causes and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.Public outrage erupted as Mayor Eddie Melton and community members expressed their frustration with the utility company’s slow response and poor communication. In response to the mounting concerns, Indiana Governor Mike Braun called for an official investigation into the power company’s equipment and repair schedules. By late August, crews managed to restore the data. Electricity was restored to 99% of customers, but discussions on recovery and repairs are still ongoing.

EP: 156 Indiana Energy Company Left Majority-Black Gary Powerless for Weeks

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Nepal Floods LIVE Coverage: Nepal continues to battle a devastating flood crisis, with rescue and relief operations underway across several affected regions. CNN-News18 is on the ground, bringing you the latest visuals and updates from the flood-affected areas.The disaster has caused widespread destruction, damaging homes, roads, and bridges and cutting off several communities. Rescue teams and security forces are working to evacuate stranded people and reach areas that remain difficult to access.Nepal police said Friday morning that the country’s death toll had risen to 538, up from 390 a day earlier, with 1,500 people missing, including 90 Americans.

EP: 155 Nepal Flooding Devastation Pt.1

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Global food inflation is expected to accelerate to roughly 5% in early 2027, driven by a compounding mix of extreme weather, geopolitical conflict, and fertilizer shortages. Severe empty-shelf shortages are expected to primarily affect vulnerable, import-dependent emerging markets rather than the United States.Major Drivers for 2027• The Super El Niño: A historically strong El Niño climate pattern is underway, bringing severe heat, drought, and flooding that threaten global crop yields. [1, 2, 3]• Fertilizer and Energy Disruptions: Ongoing geopolitical conflict and shipping constraints around the Council on Foreign Relations Analysis choke point in the Strait of Hormuz have severely restricted the international trade of fertilizers and natural gas inputs. [1, 2]• Climateflation: Extreme heatwaves in Europe and other key agricultural regions have already erased millions of tonnes of grain from baseline forecasts, shifting macroeconomic pressures directly onto harvest yields Regional Impacts• Global South &amp; Emerging Markets: Regions in South Asia, East Africa, and parts of Latin America face acute food insecurity risks and heightened vulnerability to price volatility. • United States: Agricultural buffers, large domestic production, and existing stock reserves make widespread physical shortages unlikely. However, consumers will likely face sticky, elevated grocery bills and persistent food inflation.

EP: 154 No Food, No Water in 2027 Pt. 2

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Global food inflation could climb to around 5% in the first half of 2027, driven by compounding fertilizer shortages, extreme weather, and geopolitical disruptions. Core Drivers<ul><li>Fertilizer Shortages: Middle East conflicts have restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off a major conduit for the global trade of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur fertilizers. Unlike oil, there are no strategic reserves for fertilizer. </li><li>El Niño and Climate Impacts: A strong El Niño pattern, alongside severe heatwaves and droughts (&#34;climateflation&#34;), is threatening staple crop yields in vulnerable regions like South Asia, southern Africa, and Central America. </li><li>Financial Pressures on Farmers: High fertilizer input costs are forcing farmers to either reduce usage—resulting in thinner harvests—or absorb significant financial losses. [<a href="https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-clock-is-ticking-fertilizer-food-and-the-fragility-of-global-agriculture" rel="nofollow">1</a>]</li></ul> Regional and Market Outlook<ul><li>Price Increases: Organizations like JPMorgan and institutions tracking agricultural data warn that pantry staples, fresh produce, and beverages (such as coffee and cocoa-derived sweets) face ongoing price pressures. </li><li>Vulnerable Populations: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that acute food insecurity could impact tens of millions of people globally, particularly in import-dependent low-income nations and regions experiencing prolonged dry spells.</li></ul>

EP: 153 No Food No Water in 2027

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In northern Michigan, a gunman killed five people on Friday, prompting a manhunt that ended when the shooter was found dead beside one of his victims. Separately, police in Petersburg, Virginia, arrested a 19-year-old suspect on Saturday after an overnight shooting at Virginia State University that left five people injured — one of them critically — just hours after officials welcomed freshmen to campus. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. has seen at least 305 mass shootings since the start of the year.According to the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/penn-state-students-drug-ring-charges/" rel="nofollow">Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General</a> Dave Sunday, the high-level drug operation was centered around two off-campus fraternities: Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon. The operation relied on a continuous pipeline of narcotics brought to State College from New York and Philadelphia. Abbatiello, an accounting major who had previously made the dean&#39;s list, allegedly used Snapchat to coordinate multi-kilo deals and launder the proceeds. The grand jury investigation revealed that the operation sold bulk quantities primarily to other students, fraternity brothers, and acquaintances at off-campus parties.

EP: 152 VSU vs Penn State

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Literacy is the ability to read, write, and use printed and written information to function in society. Today, it also includes understanding digital media, numbers, and specialized text.Types of Literacy<ul><li>Basic Literacy: The simple skill of reading and writing words.</li><li>Functional Literacy: Using reading and writing skills for daily life tasks, like reading a bill or job form.</li><li>Digital Literacy: Finding, using, and creating information safely on computers and phones.</li><li>Media Literacy: Judging if news and online information are true or false. </li></ul> Why Literacy Matters<ul><li>Helps people get better jobs and earn more money.</li><li>Lets citizens understand laws and vote wisely.</li><li>Improves health because people can read medicine and safety rules.</li><li>Connects communities and lowers poverty</li></ul>

EP: 151 Literacy Crisis Pt. 2

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Frederick Douglass said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” This was true in the 19th century, when he was decrying the notion that enslaved people lacked the intellectual capacity to function as American citizens, and that statement still carries weight today. There is currently a literacy crisis happening in the U.S., one that disproportionately affects students of color, and that cannot be ignored. <a href="https://edtrust.org/rti/an-equitable-approach-to-improving-literacy/" rel="nofollow">Literacy is one of the major civil rights issues of our time</a>, and our children’s future — and our nation’s democracy — depends on us addressing it now.There is overwhelming evidence that nearly all children can learn to read. But in schools across the country, many students — especially students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities — are not yet skillful readers. Last year, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), “the nation’s report card,” showed that not even half (43%) of fourth graders in the U.S. scored at or above a proficient level in reading. And for marginalized students, the numbers are much worse: just 17% of Black students, 21% of Latino students, 11% of students with disabilities, and 10% of multilingual learners can read proficiently by fourth grade.That any child, let alone the majority of children, goes to school without being taught to read is deeply concerning — and also completely preventable. There are five widely accepted components that are essential to reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Decades of research show that when students receive explicit and systematic instruction across all of these domains, they will learn to read. And when students are given access to texts with <a href="https://edtrust.org/resource/the-search-for-more-complex-racial-and-ethnic-representation-in-grade-school-books/" rel="nofollow">rich, diverse characters and cultures</a> and see people like themselves fully represented in school materials, they will become more engaged readers.

EP: 150 Literacy Crisis

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The Victim: 10-year-old Shani &#34;Kaidra&#34; Coke, a student at Troy Primary School, was sent to a shop by her grandmother on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and was later found dead in the bushes with her throat slashed. The Suspect: Identified as Delroy Coke (also referred to in reports as Delroy Ko), who, according to local reports and records, was a repeat sex offender previously convicted of offenses including a 2019 buggery charge, for which he served time before his release from prison in August 2025.A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, shaking the South American nation and neighboring Ecuador and prompting people to evacuate homes and buildings.The Jackson Police Department says there&#39;s &#34;an active death investigation&#34; underway after the 29-year-old mother of four was found dead hanging from a tree behind a vacant house

EP: 149 They're not like us !!

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The family of a 14-year-old Rochester boy who had been missing for nearly a week says he has been found dead.Zane Johnson was reported missing on July 6 after he was last seen on El Camino Trail near Conkey Avenue. His mother, Chassidy Johnson, said his body was recovered from the Genesee River on Friday.&#34;He is always with me, in my heart, in my soul, in my mind,&#34; said Johnson.Family members, friends and volunteers spent days searching for Zane across the city, including near the Driving Park Bridge, where his mother said he was found.The US military said on Sunday that another service member was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. The death comes a day after the Pentagon announced the deaths of two service members in Jordan.CNN&#39;s Kevin Liptak reports from the White House on the first American casualties resulting from Iranian strikes since March. CNN national security analyst Alex Plitsas and CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton also break down the current risk level to US troops in the Middle East.

EP: 148 No more lives lost

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Nolan Wells’ body was found on Horn Island, Miss., on July 6, two days after he traveled there by boat with friends to celebrate the Fourth of July.The teen’s mother, Christine Wonsley, has been receiving hate mail amid her unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.“Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul,” she wrote on social media.<a href="https://people.com/nolan-wells-death-investigations-raise-key-questions-what-to-know-12020349" rel="nofollow">Nolan Wells</a>‘ mother has a message for the individual who sent her family hate mail following the death of her son. Almost two weeks after the 18-year-old college student’s body was found, following his disappearance <a href="https://people.com/attendees-describe-massive-fourth-of-july-party-before-nolan-wells-vanished-died-12022119" rel="nofollow">on Horn Island amid a Fourth of July celebration</a>, Christine Wonsley has responded to an email from an anonymous sender.“Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul,” Wonsley wrote on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?id=596000075&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=V8iY6FYxPykyFRnk&story_fbid=10174956519065076" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a>, alongside a photo of the message. “Bold enough to send this crap but not bold enough to list your return address,” she continued.

EP # 147 Nolan Wells & Deion Walton

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Javeayah Harris was reported missing on Tuesday, June 30, from her home near Hillsboro Street and Ridgecrest Road in Aiken. According to Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer, the parents of a 4-year-old girl &#34;poured&#34; her remains into a lake in South Carolina after dissolving them with chemicals.Although some of Javeayah Harris&#39;s remains were discovered, the sheriff stated that it is doubtful that all of her remains will ever be recovered.On Thursday, Sawyer said an inquiry revealed that the girl&#39;s parents, Michilae Herring and Johnmarea Harris, reportedly dissolved her body using &#34;corrosive chemicals and other tools.&#34;Sawyer claimed that after the two dumped what was left of her remains into Fairfield County&#39;s Cedar Creek Reservoir, some of them were found.

EP: 146 Missing child Javeayah Harris

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Another powerful earthquake, magnitude 4.8, has struck near Venezuela, just days after the country&#39;s devastating twin earthquakes. The latest tremor has renewed fears among residents as rescue and relief operations continue in the quake-hit nation. The fresh seismic activity comes amid ongoing aftershocks following the deadly earthquakes that caused widespread destruction across northern Venezuela.Rescuers pulled a man from under the rubble of a nine-story building in Venezuela during a “miraculous” operation eight days after the devastating earthquakes that struck the country.Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, 44, who was buried under 29 feet of wreckage from a collapsed shopping mall parking lot in La Guaira, was rescued on Thursday after a delicate, days-long effort by local and international rescue teams.

EP: 145 Venezuela Aftermath

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1-year-old Kohen Wiley was shot and killed by police responding to a theft report at a Walmart in Senatobia, Mississippi. Calls for justice are intensifying.According to reports, police opened fire on a shoplifter&#39;s vehicle. At the moment of the fatal shooting, the officer said the car was speeding toward him. Following his passing, the toddler&#39;s family is requesting an independent autopsy.&#34;They were called over a box of diapers, and a family now has to bury their baby,&#34; said their lawyer, Benjamin Crump, casting doubt on the police response. It is not reasonable for policing to place those two objects adjacent to each other.Vellesiya Wiley, Kohen&#39;s mother, was a passenger in the car. According to her, the vehicle was stationary.An eyewitness captures a terrifying moment as the airport roof collapses during a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that hits Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday (24 June) evening.Two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck within 39 seconds of each other, causing widespread damage in the capital.

EP: 144 Mississippi police shoot and kill one-year-old during a shoplifting call. Earthquakes in Venezuela & California

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On June 10, 2026, 71 schoolgirls from Monsey, New York, were rescued after wandering into a dark stormwater drainage tunnel in Nyack, New York. The students explored about half a mile underground before becoming disoriented, but all were safely located without serious injury. Incident Overview•Date: June 10, 2026•Location: Nyack Memorial Park and the underground culverts beneath the Village of Nyack, New YorkGroup: 71 students and accompanying adults from a religious school based in Monsey, NY What HappenedThe students were on a field trip at Nyack Memorial Park when they noticed a large drainage culvert connected to the creek and decided to explore it.•The group walked about a quarter to half a mile underground over uneven terrain in pitch darkness.•They eventually became disoriented and split up, unable to find their way back out.

EP: 143 Sex trafficking Juneteenth murder in Florida.

Humanity Unplugged is a podcast that listens to the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and the everyday moments, life‑changing events, and world news that shape us and brings them into honest, compassionate conversation. We believe knowing Jesus Christ makes a way: offering hope, healing, and a framework for reconciliation.

Through real stories, thoughtful dialogue, and practical insight, we pursue clearer communication and deeper understanding so listeners can engage their communities with wisdom and love. Join us as we unplug the noise, share what matters, and walk together toward truth, service, and renewed hope.