Chevron Gave $150K to Bay Area Group Accused of Using AI To Fight Heat Pump Rule
The group claimed victory after regulators recommended delaying landmark rules that would eventually phase out gas water heaters in 2.8 million homes.
Recent Stories
An Idea for ‘Christian’ Hegseth: Why Not a Crucifixion Instead?
Former Fox News morning show host Pete Hegseth literally wears his religion on his sleeve/biceps. However, as his thirst for a public execution shows, he is a “Christian” in name only.
Rich Immigrant Wants To Buy Himself a Congress
The Gray Lady revealed on Monday that Elon Musk has already given close to $400 million this cycle to keep the GOP in control of Congress. But the paper failed to tell its readers the real story.
Federal Judge Shuts Down Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Propaganda Campaign
A New York-based federal judge on Sunday night barred the Trump administration from airing any more of the government-funded propaganda ads featuring the president.
The Midterms Are America’s Chance to Demand Accountability
The Constitution only works if those who violate it are held to account. And the refusal of the Republican-led Congress to do so shows that it is time for a change in Washington.
Sideshow Don: An Unceasing Trump Has Pushed Many Americans Past Exhaustion
Donald Trump has worn down the nation with an endless stream of lies and scandals that has compelled many Americans to tune out politics.
President Trump Dreams of Nobel Gold While His Policies Kill People Worldwide
Trump’s feelings were hurt when the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to a woman for upholding the rule of law and international justice.
From Gregg to Hegseth: America’s Long Fall From Grace
It’s the 50th anniversary of Gregg v. Georgia, so perhaps it is fitting that we celebrate by giving full livestreamed expression to the barbarity that has long lurked in that “reasonable” decision.
Putin’s Investment in Trump Keeps Paying Dividends
The one person Vladimir Putin can always count on is Donald Trump.
Saturday Hashtag: #4HorsemenOfInequity
Welcome to Saturday Hashtag, a weekly place for broader context.
Trump Is Building an Election Trap: Millions of Americans May Not See It in Time
From missing mail to armed federal agents and sweeping voter investigations, the warning signs suggest a democracy being squeezed before Americans even reach the ballot box.
How Fast Food Became the Laboratory for Modern Capitalism
Fast food didn’t just change how America ate. It was the testing ground for today’s economy: weakened unions, low-wage labor, and concentrated corporate power.
Trump Administration Finally Comes Up With Meaningful AI Policy
Donald Trump has defined a new type of enemy of the state: people who don’t go along with his preferred terminology for describing artificial intelligence. Time to fire up those CIA black site prisons again.
A Rare Mamdani Misstep
There was no reason for Zohran Mamdani to wade into a controversy on the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The fact that he felt compelled to do so anyway shows that the gifted politician is not immune to committing unforced errors.
Will a Midterm Loss Lead Republicans To Step Up Voter Suppression Efforts?
While a GOP loss in either chamber of Congress would put a stop to the rubber-stamping of Donald Trump’s presidential power grab, it could also compel Republicans to put in place more anti-democracy policies during the lame duck session.
There Is Nothing ‘Elite’ About the Way Cornell Botched a Rape Allegation
Cornell’s mishandling of an alleged gang rape at one of its fraternities not only stains the reputation of the Ivy League school but also highlights that American universities still have a long way to go in combating sexual assaults on their campuses.
The Flamingo Revolution: The Race to Save Europe’s Last Wild River
Albania’s Vjosa Narta River faces threats from development planned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and enabled by the Albanian government. Music and art help fuel ongoing protests.
Why Computerized Election Theft Is Worse Than Martial Law
The worm has turned, but can it vote, will its vote count, and what will happen if it doesn’t?
Some Unsolicited Advice for Democrats: Keep the Eye on the Ball
Anything that makes the midterms about an issue other than the affordability crisis — even if it’s some insane thing Donald Trump says — is a win for the GOP.
Will the Military Help Trump End Democracy in America — or Help Save It?
When does loyalty to the Constitution override the military mandate to obey orders?
Should You Vote Republican?
Do you think the US is enjoying the best economy in history? Do you love tariffs but hate oversight and accountability? Then the GOP may have what you’re looking for.
Fossil Fuel Companies Are Using AI to Find More Oil Instead of Cut Emissions
A new study found AI-driven fossil fuel productivity could increase emissions. Here are examples of companies already using AI to boost production.
Trump’s Infatuation With Naming Stuff Has One Major Advantage
What’s in a name? In the case of the presidential rebrand of “artificial intelligence,” it’s the whims of a megalomaniac and the shameless sycophancy of those trying to stay on Donald Trump’s good side. But at least we get to find out who they are.
The Company They Keep Shows Whom Republicans Really Work For
Donald Trump prefers authoritarians over democratically elected allies, and Republicans get their money from wealthy benefactors instead of regular Americans — so who do you think they are going to side with when push comes to shove?
Believe It or Not, Pete Hegseth Did Something Good
Pete Hegseth is giving service members a day off to vote. Even though he is doing so to help the GOP in the upcoming midterms, it would be great if others, like Donald Trump, followed his example.
Bessent’s Bond Betting Boast Ends Badly
Scott Bessent challenged investors to bet against US bonds at their own risk. The bond market took the bet and Bessent lost.
Desperate Trump Steps Up Attempts to Con American Voters One More Time
Donald Trump appears fully committed to bribing his way to a GOP victory next month.
Saturday Hashtag: #GlobalRageEconomy
Welcome to Saturday Hashtag, a weekly place for broader context.
AI Is Making Work Sadder: And What Happens When Everyone Shares the Same Brain?
AI can do the work — but as it drains the humanity from our jobs and makes every company sound alike, our messy, human imperfection may be our last edge.
Final Pre-Election Jobs Report Adds to GOP’s Woes
Americans remain deeply skeptical of the state of the economy, and the last jobs report ahead of the midterms offers no help to Republicans hoping to dispel the concerns of voters.
Who Has the Best Words, Trump or Obama? Time (Magazine) Will Tell
Donald Trump’s interview with Time magazine was pretty standard for the president: He told a lot of lies and didn’t answer a lot of questions. What struck us, however, was that he talks like a 2nd grader, so we investigated.
A Real October Surprise Would Be If Trump Didn’t Interfere in the Midterms
Donald Trump has shown that he is willing to go to great lengths to win (or overturn) elections. Therefore, we would not be shocked if he tried to engineer an October surprise — from fudging economic data to manufacturing some sort of crisis.
Explaining Journalism to an 11-Year-Old
Why does journalism matter? And how do you communicate that to a sixth grader?
At the White House, Super Intelligence Is in Short Supply
Donald Trump and the executives of major AI companies decided that it would be best if they policed themselves. What could go wrong?
Trump Is Letting the Bully Pulpit Go to Waste
Donald Trump’s inability to stop lying about the state of the economy, and his compulsion to make everything about himself instead of promoting Republican candidates in tough races, may prove costly for the GOP.
Artificial Intelligence, Real Consequences
Artificial intelligence and robotics will undoubtedly kill millions of jobs in the US and across the globe. But will they kill us all? The makers of AI certainly seem to believe that there is a non-remote chance.
Trump Advised: Do Anything Necessary to Retain Power
What will come first? An uprising — or martial law?
Five Weeks Ahead of the Midterms, It’s ‘A Caravan Is Headed for the Border’ Time
If you were worried that the midterms will be the first US election in years without news of a migrant caravan in Mexico spurring GOP voters into action, then we have some excellent news for you.
The Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads Epitomize Government Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
The White House claims that its pro-Trump propaganda ads are “public service announcements.” That is only true insofar as they demonstrate to viewers how little this administration cares about the nation’s laws.
The GOP Is Putting the ‘BS’ in ‘Unsubstantiated Propaganda’ on Voter Fraud
Republicans are trying to back up Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud, but their attempts to portray isolated cases of noncitizens casting ballots as a symptom of an epidemic do not stand up to scrutiny.
Is Jared Kushner Getting Ready to Plunder?
Kushner has been simultaneously acting as a special envoy for peace and as owner of Affinity Partners investment fund, mixing “service” with business.
The Media Shrugs as the ‘President of Peace’ Threatens Iran With Annihilation
In a bellicose speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Donald Trump threatened to annihilate Iran. Even more shocking than the president’s unhinged address was that journalists and international statesmen largely greeted this insane outburst with a shrug.
India Gets Ready to Compete in Space
As India prepares to send its own astronauts into orbit, its scientists are forced to choose between working for the government or joining private industry.
Saturday Hashtag: #DroneBrainWar
Welcome to Saturday Hashtag, a weekly place for broader context.
Push Comes to Shove: The Unspeakable Threat to Election 2026
What happens when a vulnerable election system meets a desperate dictator?
SCOTUS Greenlights Use of Flawed Database to Determine Voter Eligibility
While a Supreme Court decision allowing a controversial federal database to be used to determine the eligibility of voters should have a minimal impact on the midterms, it could be used in the future to disenfranchise countless eligible voters or make it more difficult for them to cast their ballots.
One Win Is Not a Lasting Majority
Democrats may win big in November. Whether they can turn a midterm won on backlash into lasting power depends on a distinction most candidates get wrong.