AI-Generated 'Cat in the Hat' Trend Triggers School Lockdowns Across Kentucky

AI-generated "Cat in the Hat" images paired with vague threats spread via TikTok across Kentucky by August 31, 2026, prompting school lockdowns, police investigations, and at least one student arrest. Consumer-grade AI tools let anyone produce convincing threatening visuals in minutes, turning one viral trend into multi-district disruptions within days as schools, under heightened scrutiny, cannot dismiss even meme-wrapped threats.