(1) Suddenly we see a host of doomsday warnings about AI. Is it real or is it orchestrated propaganda? Only AI knows.

The dangers posed by self-improving AI may be entirely real. So, too, however, are the enormous financial and political interests competing to shape the rules governing it. Before Congress hands a new federal agency the power to halt technological development, destroy “non-compliant” systems, and imprison their creators, lawmakers should determine whether this sudden chorus of doomsday warnings was orchestrated by those hoping to write the rules and secure seats at the regulatory table.

(2) Guess what? You’ll never guess; more ballot fraud.

In California:

James Brass, 47, of Victorville, was arrested today on a federal indictment charging him with paying people on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to sign petitions using stolen identities of registered voters to qualify initiatives on ballots in California elections.

Brass is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside.

Also charged in the two-count indictment are two petition circulators who worked for Brass: Courtney Price, 49, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jateisha Herron, 33, of Boron, California.

(3) John Fetterman does a modified Zell Miller. Here’s how it happened:

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., delivered a surprise video message at the GOP midterm convention Wednesday night, praising President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick while rejecting what he described as the Democratic Party’s “extremes and socialism.”

“I’m a commonsense Democrat. I’m always going to stand with America,” Fetterman said. “I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.”

Fetterman introduced McCormick, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, as “the kind of senator that gets the job done” and someone who will “fight for Pennsylvania.”

Standing in front of an iconic U.S. steel mill, Fetterman said he was proud to work with McCormick and Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry, which remains a central part of the state’s economic and political identity.

This is not only a breath of fresh air, but I don’t think it will hurt Fetterman (and may in fact help him) if and when he runs for re-election.

(4) There are many essays in recognition of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which is tomorrow. I plan to write a few things tomorrow, but here are some things you might want to look at today:

By Michael Oren.

By Aayan Hirsi Ali

By Danielle Pletka.

(5) Iran is on the ropes.

But I’ll believe it when it happens.