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‘Biggest Transformation In a Century’: How California Became A Clean Energy Powerhouse (Maria)

The author writes, “The Golden State has transformed how it powers its main electrical grid in recent years, setting ambitious targets to create an emission-free grid by 2045 and investing heavily in solar, wind, and battery storage. … Since 2019, the state has added 30,800 megawatts of clean energy and battery storage. While natural gas remains the top energy source, it’s on the decline.”

Trump’s Doctrine Is ‘Make America Small Again’ (Gerry)

The author writes, “If there is a slogan that could be attached to the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy, it is simple: Make America a Regional Power Again. The document begins by lambasting decades of American foreign policy that saw the United States as a global hegemon, tending to its interests around the world, promoting globalism, embracing global institutions, and shouldering global burdens. Instead we are told that the United States should define its interest much more narrowly. While the NSS concedes a few interests in Europe and Asia, it says America’s fundamental interest should be in its neighborhood, the Western Hemisphere, where it invokes the Monroe Doctrine and a ‘Trump Corollary’ — which sounds a lot like the Roosevelt Corollary announced by President Teddy Roosevelt.”

Prisoners Freed by Belarus Say Their Passports Are Taken Away in a Final ‘Dirty Trick’ by Officials (Reader Steve)

From the AP: “The only official document human rights advocate Uladzimir Labkovich had with him when he was suddenly released from a Belarus prison, blindfolded and driven to neighboring Ukraine was a piece of paper with his name and mugshot on it. ‘After four and half years of abuse in prison, I was thrown out of my own country without a passport or valid documents,’ Labkovich told The Associated Press by phone from Ukraine on Wednesday. ‘This is yet another dirty trick by the Belarusian authorities, who continue to make our lives difficult.’ Labkovich, 47, was one of 123 prisoners released by Belarus on Dec. 13 in exchange for the US lifting some trade sanctions on the authoritarian government of President Alexander Lukashenko. All but nine were taken to Ukraine.”

Big Oil’s Climate Ads Have Propped Up Fake Promises and False Solutions for Past 25 Years, Report Finds (Laura)

From Inside Climate News: “Four of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies have spent the last 25 years deceptively portraying themselves as leaders in addressing climate change while simultaneously expanding fossil fuel production and failing to meaningfully rein in their planet-heating emissions, according to a report released Thursday that examined over 300 of the companies’ climate-related advertisements from 2000 to 2025. These ads collectively serve to mask the harmful impacts of the companies’ operations and to perpetuate a false narrative that the oil industry is an essential partner in the fight against climate change, the Center for Climate Integrity found.”

Retired Cop Jailed for 37 Days Over Charlie Kirk Meme Sues, Saying His First Amendment Rights Were Violated (Sean)

The author writes, “A retired Tennessee law enforcement officer was held in jail for more than a month this fall after police arrested him over a Facebook post of a meme related to the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors eventually dropped the criminal charge brought against Larry Bushart, but his stint behind bars came to exemplify the country’s tense political and legal climate following the tragedy, when conservatives sought to stymie public discourse about the late controversial figure that it saw as objectionable. Now, Bushart is suing over his incarceration.”

Scientists Say They Have Discovered 20 New Species Deep in the Pacific Ocean (Dana)

From NPR: “Scientists believe they have discovered at least 20 new species in a deep part of the Pacific Ocean. The discoveries were found after researchers from the California Academy of Sciences retrieved 13 reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam, which had been collecting data since 2018. The devices, known as autonomous reef monitoring structures or ARMS, were placed up to 330 feet below the surface, an area of the ocean that receives little light. Over two weeks in November, scientists retrieved 2,000 specimens, finding 100 species in the region for the first time. Luiz Rocha, California Academy of Sciences Ichthyology curator, told NPR after more analysis is completed, scientists expect to discover more than 20 new species.”