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TSA X-ray flags a passenger's illegal stash; cat-picture hack claim…

A TSA X-ray detected contraband in a passenger's luggage, while a security researcher received threatening emails demanding twelve cat pictures—which he suspects may involve Mossad involvement, though unconfirmed.

On air: Hank Ledger and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Overnight
Published 12:09 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Cygnusloop99 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Weird News

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN Overnight at 12:09 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Fox News's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Cygnusloop99 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — Photo: Cygnusloop99 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Footage: 티비텐 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Fox News: “Bizarre X-ray scan leads TSA officers to flight passenger's illegal stash”, with reporting from Haaretz.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 12:09 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Hank Ledger and Kenji Moonfield; aired 2 times.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFox News reports a bizarre X-ray scan led TSA officers to a flight passenger's illegal stash, which is the kind of find that makes a screener sit up straight.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the machine saw it before the guy even finished explaining it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat is generally how the machine works.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd the researcher who was told he owes somebody twelve cat pictures is still saying it may be a Mossad hack, though nobody else has confirmed that.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwelve. Not eleven, not a dozen vibes, twelve exact cats.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnconfirmed, Kenji. The suspicion is his, and the cats are still owed.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRough night for anyone with a camera roll or a carry-on.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDr. Byte is next, and I'm told she has opinions about anything that scans you.

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