Author: James Dorman
More California drivers are opting for electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional gas-powered cars. While good for the environment, it’s bad for the state’s budget. More EVs mean less revenue from the state’s gas tax. To offset this, California is testing a new initiative that would completely change the way drivers contribute to road maintenance in the state. The Financial Impact of More EVs Source: Mackenzie Marco/Unsplash Traditionally, maintenance of California’s highways and road infrastructure has been funded by its gas tax. Drivers would pay a tax based on fuel consumed. As EVs consume less fuel, the state is getting less…
The world as we know it is full of weird and wonderful wildlife. Despite this abundance of fascinating creatures, the world used to be even busier. We have good records of species that were once with us relatively recently but are sadly no longer around. Here are a few of the more of the interesting ones. Dodo Source: Wikimedia Commons We’ll start with perhaps the most famous recently-extinct animal: the dodo. This flightless bird from Mauritius had no natural predators and was therefore not weary of humans as it fearlessly approached visitors. Unfortunately, this made them easy targets for human…
Donald Trump recently hosted a church roundtable that was promoted as an attempt for the Trump campaign to reach out to Black voters. The stunt event has been widely ridiculed after photographs circulated showing a predominantly white turnout. Now the Detroit pastor who hosted the roundtable has spoken out. Trying to Rally Support From Black Voters Source: Clay Banks/Unsplash The Trump Campaign has launched its Black voter coalition group in an effort to court the support of Black voters come November. This is a voting bloc that has strongly supported the Democrats in past elections, but this time around appears…
The U.K. prison system is facing a crisis. Intense overcrowding sees the prison system operating at 110% capacity. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has suggested a solution that some see as strange. They recommend that police officers should consider simply making fewer arrests due to the lack of prison space. Understandably, this suggestion has drawn criticism. U.K. Prisons Face Record Overcrowding Source: Milad Fakurian/Unsplash The number of people behind bars in England and Wales is at a record high. The number of prison inmates has surpassed 84,000, resulting in many prisons being pushed beyond their designed capacity. This creates…
White privilege refers to the advantages white people often experience socially and economically by virtue of the color of their skin. Sadly, modern society still sees disparities in opportunities and treatment people experience based solely on skin color. Here are a few of the ways white privilege gives people advantages in the U.S. economy. Employment Opportunities Source: Gabrielle Henderson/Unsplash To start with, it can often be a lot easier for white people to simply get a job. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, white job applicants can face fewer barriers when applying for jobs. They also typically experience…
Sweeping laws by the European Union (EU) could radically change business operations around the world. This includes businesses based in the United States. The law covers what the EU describes as due diligence, which in America are referred to as environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. Some see this as overseas legislators enforcing leftist, “woke” business practices on American businesses. The CSDDD Source: Tingey Injury Law Firm/Unsplash The law is formally titled the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). It’s a mandate aimed at large businesses to reduce their negative impacts. The CSDDD applies to businesses in the EU and…
Underground in Alaska is a 40-foot-long tunnel where you can find the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL). Researchers have been using this tunnel to study Alaska’s frozen landscape for over half a century. Researchers have now found something in the Alaskan permafrost that has the potential to cause devastating environmental and biological disasters. What Is the Permafrost? Source: Rod Long/Unsplash Permafrost is basically any area of ground that has remained completely frozen for at least two consecutive years. It’s a frozen layer under the ground that is typically gravel, soil and sand bound by ice. Permafrost can be…
The impact of California’s minimum wage hike continues to be felt by fast-food operators in the state. Stores are closing, prices are rising and some restaurants have even filed for bankruptcy as a result of the wage increase. Now, a popular California pizza restaurant is cutting corporate ties with the state and moving its head office elsewhere in an effort to cut costs. California’s Blaze Pizza Source: Nik Owens/Unsplash Blaze Pizza is a popular pizza chain famous for making to-order pizzas. The chain has more than 300 restaurants across 38 states and six countries. They’re a California brand founded in…
Multiple countries are considering revising their laws and policies regarding marijuana. Many states in the U.S. now allow marijuana for medical or recreational use. The effects of this change in policy may be reflected in data indicating that daily marijuana use is now more common than daily alcohol consumption in the U.S. A Study Into Self-Reported Cannabis Use in the U.S. Source: Scott Graham/Unsplash The study was authored by cannabis policy researcher Jonathan Caulkins of Carnegie Melon University and published in the journal Addiction. His research is based on data obtained from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health,…
Google has publicly challenged Microsoft’s security capabilities. This challenge comes after a number of recent high-profile breaches. The challenge warns that businesses might wish to consider a more secure alternative, like Google Workspace. Google Has Released a Security Paper Source: Scott Graham/Unsplash Google has released a paper that begins with a very blunt statement targeted directly at Microsoft: “In the wake of significant cybersecurity incidents with Microsoft, Google Workspace offers a safer choice.” With the timing of this paper, Google is looking to capitalize on Microsoft’s misfortunes. It has been a challenging year for Microsoft, as the tech giant has…