More from Zachary Hill
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Solar panels costing California residents, why energy bills increased in 2024
California’s solar panels are driving up electricity bills for residents while making power cheaper for customers in other states. The Golden State is producing more solar power than it can use, leading to significant energy waste and financial losses. Over the past 12 months, California curtailed more than 3 million megawatt-hours of solar energy, enough… -
Donors beware, the season of giving often leads to scams
Six former Apple employees are now facing felony charges in California. They are accused of scamming the tech giant out of charitable matching donations and then keeping the money. One of the suspects is an executive at a nonprofit organization that supports children and teenagers living in poverty called Hop4Kids. The prosecutor in Santa Clara… -
Judge dismisses Hunter Biden’s gun case amid opposition from prosecutors
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has closed the gun case against Hunter Biden a week before his scheduled sentencing. The dismissal comes after a sweeping pardon granted by his father, President Joe Biden. Following the decision Sunday, Dec. 1, Hunter Biden’s legal team submitted a motion to dismiss all charges with prejudice citing the “Full… -
FBI investigating mystery drones flying in New Jersey
Residents in New Jersey say they have spotted unidentified, bright drones in the sky at night. The FBI and local are now investigating after many residents say it’s become unnerving. Since the middle of November, witnesses said almost every night, large drones were reportedly flying in formation. They said they could see multiple drones lighting… -
‘Moana 2’ shatters Thanksgiving, animated box office records
“Moana 2” made waves as not only Disney’s biggest domestic animation debut of all time but also the biggest animated debut globally. The film, released on Thanksgiving Day, brought in a record-breaking $389 million during the holiday weekend. Disney continues to dominate Thanksgiving releases The sequel to the 2016 hit takes audiences on another thrilling… -
World’s first legally binding treaty to curb plastic pollution fails at UN summit
An attempt to finalize the world’s first legally binding treaty to curb plastic pollution collapsed in its final stage during last month’s United Nations summit in South Korea. Representatives from over 200 nations convened at this forum, aiming to address the environmental and human health impacts posed by plastic waste, but disagreements over production limits… -
Coast Guard suspends search for 5 people after boat capsizes in Alaska
The search for five missing people has been suspended after rough seas and turbulent weather overturned a boat in Alaska just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 1. A mayday call first alerted the U.S. Coast Guard to Couverden Point where the capsized fishing vessel, “Wind Walker,” was found. A crew aboard a 50-foot boat sent… -
Bible sales surge, driven by first-time buyers and new versions
Bible sales are seeing a resurgence in the United States, a move publishers attribute to people questioning the future and reaching for the Book of God for answers. The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association said it has seen a dramatic increase in first-time readers. People note conflict overseas, uncertainty surrounding the election and the state of… -
X claims ownership of InfoWars’ account, blocks transfer to The Onion
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is contesting the transfer of InfoWars’ accounts as part of the site’s bankruptcy sale to satirical news outlet The Onion. The objection, based on X’s terms of service, argues the platform owns user accounts and requires its permission for their sale or transfer. InfoWars, founded by Alex Jones, was… -
Nashville mayor won’t say if Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is in city
Tennessee officials have warned that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is operating in every major city across the state, with concerns mounting over the gang’s involvement in human trafficking and violent crime. One gang member was arrested this week in Chattanooga for sex trafficking. Following this, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat, was pressed… -
Harris staffers’ tell-all podcast: Details beyond media headlines
Vice President Kamala Harris’ top campaign staff spoke out in their first sit-down interview since the election on the “Pod Save America” podcast. During the interview, officials offered new details about the campaign’s struggles. Among the revelations were internal polling data that proved damaging for Harris, the reasons behind the canceled Joe Rogan interview and… -
NC Gov. Cooper vetoes bill weakening Dems, providing disaster aid
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, D, vetoed a bill that would strip powers from incoming Gov. Josh Stein and other Democrats assuming statewide elected offices. Republican legislators updated a bill setting aside disaster relief money for areas affected by Hurricane Helene, adding provisions that take powers away from elected Democrats. The bill sets aside over… -
Intel secures $7.9B in CHIPS Act funding as Biden runs out of time
The Biden administration finalized $7.86 billion in funding to Intel. The investment is part of the $39 billion in subsidies set aside to bolster manufacturing as part of the massive CHIPS and Science Act. President Joe Biden announced the award in Arizona in March as he addressed the impact of the CHIPS Act. “We will…