Author: Georgia McKoy

This September, get ready for a celestial close call as an asteroid the size of two football fields zooms past Earth.  Dubbed ‘2024 ON’, this massive space rock, stretching 720 feet across, is scheduled to pass within just 620,000 miles of our planet on September 15. It’s one of the biggest near-Earth visitors we’ll see this year. Catch a Glimpse of ‘2024 ON’ Source: Wikimedia Commons If you’re in the northern hemisphere and have access to a telescope or even a good pair of binoculars, mark your calendar. ‘2024 ON’, thanks to its impressive size, should be clearly visible as…

As Florida stares down what could be a catastrophic real estate collapse, experts like Steven Kupchan are sounding the alarm.  The soaring costs of condos, particularly in southern Florida, are pushing the state toward what Kupchan calls the ‘worst case scenario.’ Homeowner Costs Spiraling Out of Control Source: Wikimedia Commons The crisis is exacerbated by homeowner association fees and skyrocketing insurance costs, placing additional financial burdens on Florida residents.  These costs contribute significantly to the strain on homeowners, making it increasingly difficult for them to manage their financial obligations in maintaining their properties. A Lack of Buyers Source: Jakub Zerdzicki/Pexels…

Residents of a coastal California town are expressing their frustration and anger after suddenly losing access to essential utilities.  This disruption has forced many to evacuate due to unsafe land conditions. Locals have vocalized their dismay, with one resident notably saying, “They’ve abandoned us!” Gas and Power Severed in Affluent Retirement Community Source: Wikimedia Commons In Rancho Palos Verdes, a town known for its affluent retirees, utilities were abruptly cut, leaving residents in a precarious situation.  Gas service was terminated to 135 homes at the beginning of August, and by Sunday, both the power and water supplies were also disconnected,…

During a campaign speech in Pittsburgh, Vice President Kamala Harris reused a familiar phrase that caught the attention of both supporters and critics.  She stated, “We have dreams. We can see what is possible, unburdened by what has been.” This line, previously used during her visit to Ghana in March 2023, stirred varied reactions on social media. Origin of the Catchphrase Source: KamalaHarris/X Harris first used this catchphrase during a speech about innovation in Ghana, where she described innovation as “one’s ability not only to see, but to do things differently” and emphasized “challenging the premise, questioning the status quo,…

Last week, a significant chapter in U.S. environmental efforts concluded with the final demolition of four key dams on the Klamath River.  This project, the largest of its kind in the nation, aimed to rejuvenate the river and support the tribal communities along the Oregon-California border who have championed this cause for decades. Salmon Return to Ancient Routes Source: Wikimedia Commons With the barriers gone—Iron Gate, Copco Dams 1 and 2, and JC Boyle—the salmon of the Klamath River can once again navigate their ancestral waters.  For over a century, these hydroelectric dams hindered their natural migration, disrupting both their…

Elon Musk endorsed former President Donald Trump on July 13, the same day Trump survived an assassination attempt.  This endorsement was seen as a significant boost for Trump’s campaign, signaling that he would have substantial financial and social media support necessary for the election, especially from a high-profile figure in America’s tech industry. Immediate Reactions and Democratic Response Source: jdoedoe101101/X Shortly after Musk’s endorsement, the Democratic campaign launched a series of attacks targeting the alliance between Musk and Trump. They highlighted Musk’s anti-worker stances, leveraging social media to amplify their points. The Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign particularly criticized this…

Researchers from the University of Miami exploring the depths of the Red Sea have identified highly saline and oxygen-deprived areas on the seafloor, termed “death pools,” where marine life is instantly killed upon entry.  These zones, while deadly, are paradoxically bustling with microbial life, which thrives in these extreme conditions. The Paradox of Life in Deadly Waters Source: Communications Earth & Environment The existence of life in these harsh conditions of the death pools suggests important clues about the earliest life forms on our planet.  These environments are similar to the conditions where life is believed to have originated. Sam…

In a significant legislative turn, California’s attempt to pass two key reparations bills faced a halt. The bills, crucial for establishing a fund and an agency to manage reparations for slavery, were not moved forward.  This decision has stirred a considerable reaction among Black activists who emphasize the impact this could have on national politics, particularly concerning Vice President Kamala Harris. Intense Legislative Session Ends in Disappointment Source: Wikimedia Commons The California legislature’s session concluded without passing Senate Bills 1403 and 1331, which would have set up mechanisms for slavery reparations.  This occurred despite long debates and public protests, highlighting…

41 branches of major national banks, including Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo, have been closed over a period of two weeks.  This move reflects the ongoing transition towards online banking, leaving many customers to reconsider their banking options. The trend is clear: digital is the future, but what does this mean for your local branch? U.S. Bank Cuts Most Branches Source: U.S. Bank/Facebook U.S. Bank experienced the largest number of closures, shutting down 13 local branches between August 4 and August 18.  This substantial reduction in physical branches is part of a broader banking industry trend towards consolidating…

The controversial “Great Outdoors Initiative” aimed to transform Florida’s state parks by introducing development projects like 350-room hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts.  This plan, however, was met with substantial backlash from Republican senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, who criticized it as “absolutely ridiculous” in a joint letter. Republican Leaders React Source: Wikimedia Commons Republican congressman Brian Mast responded fiercely to the proposal, asserting it would happen “over my dead body.”  This strong opposition marked a significant shift as Mast, along with other Republican leaders, began to publicly challenge Governor Ron DeSantis’s previously unopposed policy directions. No-Bid Contracts and…