Author: Sam Watanuki

Controversial far-right activist and journalist James O’Keefe has done it again. He recorded a Department of Defense employee discussing how the National Guard can be used to confiscate guns from citizens. Despite the underhanded tactics by O’Keefe, the video shines a light on the government’s attitude towards the Second Amendment, particularly the use of firearms and gun ownership.  High-Ranking Official Source: Liberty Doll/Youtube This particular “interview” is shocking for two reasons. One, the interview was done in secret, apparently in a casual setting — a signature of O’Keefe’s brand of investigative journalism. Two, the subject of the interview is a…

Saudi Arabia’s plan to spend over $500 billion on a futuristic, eco-friendly city in the desert may not turn out quite like it was once envisioned. The reality of such an extensive financial project has begun to cause concern among investors as work slows down and the Saudi Government is yet to announce Neom’s 2024 budget. The Futuristic City Shrinks in Size Source: Royal Private Office At the core of the Neom, an extensive development project launched by Crown Prince Bin Salman, is a futuristic city once predicted to run over 105 miles long known as The Line. However, the…

Robert Irvine, a celebrity chef well known TV persona of saving restaurants on the brink of collapse, has a lot to say about the new minimum wage in California. After helping hundreds of restaurants survive from insurmountable issues, he now worries about the fate of eateries in the Golden State. Big Hit to Fast Food Eateries Source: Wikipedia Commons California’s new $20 minimum wage has meant that a lot of small businesses have taken a large hit to their bottom line. After the new law was imposed on April 1st, fast food chains like Burger King and McDonalds have had…

California’s home insurance market is set to receive another blow as two more insurance companies will not renew their customer’s home insurance policies going forward and withdraw business from the state. The non-renewal of the two companies, Tokio Marine America Insurance and Trans-Pacific Insurance, has been confirmed by the California Department of Insurance in an email to KQED news. Customers will be receiving non-renewal notices in the summer. State Filings Source: slobo/Getty Images In state filings submitted to the Department of Insurance, the companies disclosed their intent to withdraw from California by July. The California Department of Insurance said the…

Fargo Brewing Co., a beloved staple since 2010, finds itself in a pickle, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As they navigate through reorganizing debt, it’s business as usual. This move was announced after the company filed the necessary paperwork in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fargo on Monday, April 15. Crunching the Numbers Source: Fargo Brewing Ale House/Facebook In recent court documents, Fargo Brewing has laid bare its financial struggles, listing 20 significant creditors.  This legal protection facilitates the renegotiation of terms and crafting of a plan to address these financial challenges head-on. The Debt List: Who’s Owed What?…

For years, Taco Bell has been one of America’s favorite fast food restaurants. Millions of people love the Mexican-style tacos, burritos, and various other menu items.  But while the food is certainly a draw, one of the main reasons why customers continually go back to Taco Bell is because of the extremely affordable prices. Except now, Taco Bell is raising its price tags, as well as changing its menu, and the majority of Americans are less than thrilled.  Taco Bell Has Always Been One of the Cheapest Options in Fast Food Source: Reddit Over the years, every fast food chain…

The Internal Revenue Service has revealed that it owes nearly one million US taxpayers a staggering $1 billion in unclaimed refunds.  The refunds stem from the tax year ending in 2021 and include the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. However, if this money is not claimed by May, it will expire. So, here’s how to know if you’re entitled to a portion of the money. IRS Set to Pay Out Close to $1 Billion Source: Wikimedia The Internal Revenue Service diligently ensures US citizens pay their fair share of taxes yearly. However, sometimes, the Federal Agency takes more than the nation…

The city of Minneapolis took a bold step by confronting two titans of the gig economy, Uber and Lyft, with a proposal to increase driver pay to a $15.57 per hour minimum wage. This move sparked months of intense debate and resistance from the rideshare companies, who have long opposed stringent government regulations. The heart of this conflict lies in the struggle to balance fair compensation for gig workers with the operational models of these tech-driven companies. Minneapolis’ stance represents a significant effort to ensure that the evolving labor market doesn’t leave workers behind in terms of financial stability and…

A groundbreaking report has just laid bare a staggering fact: only 57 companies are at the heart of 80% of the world’s emissions stemming from cement and fossil fuels. This finding is a massive call for immediate action in our global battle against climate change. The InfluenceMap report, leveraging the comprehensive Carbon Majors database, exposes the depth of the challenge we face in achieving a sustainable future. This revelation forces us to reckon with the fact that a small group holds the key to significant environmental impacts. The Mega-Polluters Exposed Source: Luis Ramirez/Unsplash According to the report, among the 57…

A California resident and new business owner recently uploaded a video to the popular social media platform TikTok regarding her 2023 taxes.  She told her viewers that, after filing her taxes, she was told she had to pay an almost unbelievable $26,000 in taxes after making $100,000 last year. Known as “WestCoastFairy,” this California TikToker says that’s more than her student loans, more than she has in the bank, and she has no idea what to do next.  The Viral Video Source: @westcoastfairy/TikTok The TikTok video, which is now making headlines all over the country, was posted by 25-year-old WestCoastFairy…