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Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
Good morning! Welcome to The Tradesman, a 5-minute newsletter tailored just for America’s tradesmen.
A 22-year-old from India used AI to create a fake image and scammed thousands of people. Find out how he did it below.
Also, we have the winner of last week’s gas card giveaway!
Congratulations to Charlie S. of Roehrenbeck Electric! Charlie, to claim your prize, reply to this email if you’d like your gift card to be from Shell, Sheetz, or Speedway!
How a Guy from India Managed to Catfish the Internet
Sam is 22 years old and training to be an orthopedic surgeon. He wants to move to the United States after he graduates, but he does not have the money to make it happen.
So, he came up with a plan.
Taking advice from Google's Gemini AI, Sam created Emily Hart — a fictional registered nurse who posts bikini photos and targets lonely conservative men online. The character is also entirely AI-generated.
Emily's Instagram account gained 10,000 followers in its first month. Sam then began selling MAGA-themed T-shirts and launched an account for Emily on Fanvue, a platform similar to OnlyFans where users can post adult content.
Click here to find out just how much money Sam made. (Hint: It’s a lot)
Not All Superheroes Wear Capes. Some Wear Thick Coats and Helmets
How many of you wanted to be a firefighter as a kid? You may still get that chance.
Kevin Reardon, the Ohio state fire marshal, said about 1,200 fire departments in Ohio depend on volunteer firefighters to operate. But as call volumes rise, the number of volunteers keeps dropping.
If you want to serve your community, becoming a volunteer firefighter may be the opportunity you have been waiting for.
Morning Meme
The State of Ohio Still Really Doesn’t Want You to Bet Your Money
Kalshi, the online prediction market platform, has been fighting Ohio state officials for months.
Ohio Attorney General David Yost and the Ohio Casino Control Commission say Kalshi has been operating illegally in Ohio by ignoring the state's sports gambling laws.
Kalshi argues that only the federal government has the authority to regulate its business, but a federal judge disagreed and approved a $5 million fine sought by Yost and the commission.
Kalshi has now asked the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to hear its case and to pause the fine while the appeal moves forward.
Click here to see how the judge ruled.
Spot the Rare Spotted Salamander
A Fairfield County resident found something rare — an albino spotted salamander. Instead of the usual dark brown or black, the animal appeared pale pink.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife says a genetic condition causes the color change by reducing pigment in the salamander's skin.
See the pictures of this odd-looking little fella here.
POLL
Would you want to be a volunteer firefighter?
Previous Results
What is the worst-tasting brand of bottled water?
Dasani - 67%
Aquafina - 11%
Arrowhead - 0%
Y'all think water has different tastes? - 22%
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