PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
|
Listen To This Story
 |
US Solar Energy Growth Nearly Enough To Offset Rising Energy Use, Data Shows (Maria)
The author writes, “Worries about the US grid’s ability to handle the surge in demand due to data center growth have made headlines in 2025. And, early in the year, demand for electricity had surged by nearly 5% compared to the prior year, … But since the first-quarter data was released, demand has steadily eroded. That slowdown means that most of the increased demand could have been met by the astonishing growth of solar power.”
ICE Offers Up to $280 Million to Immigrant-Tracking ‘Bounty Hunter’ Firms (Dana and Sean)
From WIRED: “Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expanding plans to outsource immigrant tracking to private surveillance firms, scrapping a recent $180 million pilot proposal in favor of a no-cap program with multimillion-dollar guarantees, according to new contracting records reviewed by WIRED.”
Denmark’s ‘Night Watch’ Monitors Trump’s Every Move (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Denmark isn’t taking President Trump’s threats to annex Greenland lying down. The country’s foreign ministry has set up a ‘night watch’ with the mission to track Trump’s every move from 5pm to 7am local time, while most government officials are clocked off, per the Guardian, citing reporting by Politiken.”
Reintroduced Carnivores’ Impacts on Ecosystems Are Still Coming Into Focus (Laura)
From Inside Climate News: “Yellowstone has long been a mecca for scientists studying how predators affect everything from elk grazing to vegetation height. They are still debating how to make sense of what they’ve learned.”
Why Constantly Checking Your Phone Can Drain Your Focus and Memory (Russ)
The authors write, “For many of us, checking our phones has probably become an unconscious reflex, similar to breathing or blinking. … Glancing at your phone can begin to compromise your cognitive skills once it passes a certain threshold. Studies from Nottingham Trent University in the U.K. and Keimyung University in South Korea found that checking your phone about 110 times a day may signal high risk or problematic use.”
COVID Vaccine Linked To Fewer Infections and Allergies in Kids With Eczema (Mili)
The author writes, “New research suggests the COVID-19 vaccine could help children with eczema stay healthier overall. Vaccinated kids had lower rates of infections and allergies, including asthma and rhinitis, compared with unvaccinated peers. Experts believe the vaccine may help prevent allergic conditions from worsening, showing its value beyond protection from COVID-19.”
Hilarious Billboard Battle Breaks Out Between Southwest and United in Denver (Reader Steve)
From Live and Let’s Fly: “Denver has long been an increasingly contested market for both carriers. United maintains one of its largest hubs at Denver International Airport, which it calls its most profitable, while Southwest has expanded aggressively in recent years and remains one of the airport’s largest operators by daily departures. … The billboards underscore a rivalry that has already been playing out through network growth and pricing rather than traditional advertising alone.”
