Author: Georgia McKoy

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claimed he was acting to save the state from “radical green zealots” by removing mentions of ‘climate change’ from the state’s energy policies.  This bold move was part of a wider effort to reshape Florida’s environmental and energy strategies, reflecting his administration’s priorities and concerns about energy independence. Ban on Offshore Windmills Enacted Source: Wikimedia Commons Alongside removing references to climate change, Governor DeSantis signed legislation that bans the construction of offshore windmills. This decision aligns with his view that such structures could threaten the state’s landscapes and economic stability. This is a significant step back…

San Diego has emerged as the primary hotspot for migrant apprehensions in the U.S., recording the highest number of incidents last month.  The surge is attributed to stricter border enforcement in other states, pushing migrants toward more lenient regions like California. This development aligns with the state’s reputation as a more accessible entry point. Record-Breaking Migrant Crossings in San Diego Source: Wikimedia Commons The San Diego sector reported an unprecedented influx of 37,370 migrants last month, illustrating a dramatic shift in migration patterns across the Southern California border.  This figure significantly surpasses previous records, indicating a new trend in the…

Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former DEI manager at Facebook and Nike, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison.  The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced the sentence after she pleaded guilty to embezzling over $5 million to support her luxurious lifestyle. The Crime Explained Source: Wikimedia Commons “Furlow-Smiles shamelessly violated her position of trust as a DEI executive at Facebook to steal millions from the company utilizing a scheme involving fraudulent vendors, fake invoices, and cash kickbacks,” stated US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. This deceit allowed her to siphon substantial sums from her…

Last week, the University of Wyoming made a bold move, deciding to dissolve its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department.  The decision, unanimous by the Board of Trustees, aims to redistribute the department’s functions and staff across other campus departments. Balancing Act Source: University of Wyoming/Facebook In a strategic pivot, the University of Wyoming is reshaping its approach to DEI.  University President Dr. Ed Seidel said, “We received a strong message from the state’s elected officials to change our approach to DEI issues.” This shift comes as a response to both legislative pressure and community feedback. Community and Legislative Voices…

Californians are saying goodbye to their favorite fast food spots as prices creep up. Greg LaVay, from San Diego, who once enjoyed frequent trips to McDonald’s, now prefers sit-down restaurants.  “I feel ripped off a little,” he said to The Wall Street Journal, echoing a sentiment many share as menu prices surge. The Costly Shift in Fast Food Source: Wikimedia Commons As the price of staples like hamburgers hits $2.50 and a Big Mac soars to $5.39, residents like LaVay are rethinking where to eat out. These days, diners are finding sit-down restaurants offer more bang for their buck, a…

Two prominent Virginia universities, Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University, recently decided to cancel their plans to require diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) classes for graduation. While the DEI courses will still be offered, they will no longer be compulsory for students to graduate this fall. Audit by Governor Youngkin Influences Decision Source: Wikimedia Commons The decision to revise the course requirements followed an audit initiated by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The audit specifically reviewed proposed “Racial Literacy” courses at VCU and “Just Societies” courses at George Mason.  The education secretary’s office criticized these requirements as “core curriculum mandates that…

This April, we saw a slight dip in inflation, a welcome change after relentless climbs. Consumer prices were up by 3.4% from last year, showing a modest pullback and matching the forecasts that economists had in mind. It’s a small, encouraging sign that the Fed’s long battle against inflation might be gaining some ground. The Cooling Trend in Inflation Source: Wikimedia Commons It looks like inflation is finally starting to cool. Even though we’re still sitting a bit high at more than a percentage point over the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, the peak rates have tumbled from near 9%…

Nashville is facing a severe rise in homelessness, with soaring property prices largely blamed on wealthy Californians relocating here.  Local reports indicate that “Homelessness has soared in the city as residents cannot afford homes,” a situation driven by a population spike and surging demand. The Californian Effect: Shifting Nashville’s Housing Landscape Source: Paul Hanaoka/Unsplash Nashville’s local real estate scene is transforming dramatically due to a surge of newcomers from California.  This influx is driving housing prices sky-high, pushing affordable options out of reach for many long-standing residents. As housing costs continue to climb, an increasing number of Nashville families are…

While electric vehicles are lauded for their clean energy credentials, a surprising number of owners are sounding the alarm about unexpected health issues.  Complaints range from mild discomfort to serious symptoms, suggesting there might be a hidden cost to driving these high-tech cars. Discomfort from EV Braking and Acceleration Systems Source: Patrick Langwallner /Unsplash The unique braking and acceleration systems in electric vehicles are causing a stir, with an uptick in complaints about motion sickness, dizziness, and nausea. The new mechanics that make EVs zip and halt so differently from traditional cars seem to be shaking up more than just…

Walmart’s latest announcement has shaken up hundreds of corporate employees—layoffs paired with a big shift back to headquarters.  According to a company memo, this move aims to centralize operations post-pandemic at the Bentonville, Arkansas hub. Memo Reveals All: Walmart’s Nationwide Corporate Shuffle Source: Wikimedia Commons Chief People Officer Donna Morris detailed in the memo that Walmart is intensifying efforts to consolidate their workforce.  Employees from Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto are now facing relocations mainly to Arkansas, with some heading to San Francisco Bay Area or Hoboken, NJ. A Closer Look at the Numbers Source: Walmart/Facebook Though Walmart hasn’t released exact…