Midwest
Controversial climate group facing bankruptcy, how did it get here?
One of the leading global environmental networks has been drained of hundreds of millions over the years as a result of several lawsuits filed against their involvement in anti-oil protests.
Greenpeace, an international environmentalist group, has been at the center of several highly controversial environmental cases over the years and has been accused of hiring protesters and rioters to advance their cause.
Most recently, Greenpeace was found liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages resulting from a pipeline protest. The group recently said that such a ruling could “shut down Greenpeace USA.”
Here are some of the top cases that got Greenpeace to the dire straits it is in right now.
1. Greenpeace hit with $660 million fine for pipeline protest
More than 800 people were arrested in 2016 during a monthslong protest, led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, opposing construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), an oil pipeline that runs from North Dakota to Illinois.
JURY FINDS GREENPEACE LIABLE, ORDERED TO PAY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OVER DAKOTA ACCESS OIL PIPELINE PROTESTS
Protesters demonstrating against the expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline wade in cold creek waters confronting local police, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Nov. 2, 2016. (John L. Mone)
Energy Transfer, the developer of the pipeline, sued Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International for $300 million on claims the climate groups orchestrated the protests by providing resources to the activists and, therefore, were liable for the expenses that resulted from construction being postponed.
In March 2025, a North Dakota jury found Greenpeace liable for about $660 million resulting from the protest.
GREENPEACE VOWS MORE LEGAL ACTION AFTER GETTING HIT WITH $660M RULING THAT WOULD ‘SHUT DOWN’ ORGANIZATION
“Our lawsuit is about recovering damages for the harm Greenpeace caused our company. It is not about free speech. Their organizing, funding, and encouraging the unlawful destruction of property and the dissemination of misinformation goes well beyond the exercise of free speech. We look forward to proving our case, and we trust the North Dakota legal system to do that.”
The weekslong Morton County trial, which began in late February, heard testimony that claimed that Greenpeace not only trained the DAPL protesters, but purchased supplies to aid their resistance.
Greenpeace activist Yeb Saño from the Philippines holds aloft a flag on a small boat after attempting to board a Shell oil platform being transported by the White Marlin ship on Jan. 31, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean north of Gran Canaria, Spain. (Handout)
Greenpeace described the battle as “one of the most consequential free speech cases in recent history.”
2. Pirate-style protest leads to another massive fine
Greenpeace settled a lawsuit with Shell after four individuals affiliated with the group boarded and occupied a Shell oil company vessel for two weeks in 2023.
The activists “unlawfully scaled” a moving vessel in the North Sea while carrying a banner reading “Stop Drilling. Start Paying.”
Because of this incident, Greenpeace was ordered to make a payment of 300k pounds to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the group was barred from going within 500 meters of a Shell platform in the North Sea.
An activist of the environmental NGO Greenpeace climbs to take part in an action on a Shell platform, on the way to the North Sea, to expand an existing oil and gas field, off the coast of Cherbourg, northwestern France, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Lou Benoist)
3. ‘People vs. the Arctic’ lawsuit falls flat
In 2020, the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled against Greenpeace’s attempt to block new oil exploration in the country.
Greenpeace was joined by Young Friends of the Earth Norway in a 2016 lawsuit filed against the Norwegian Government after several new oil and gas leases were granted in the Balian Sea.
The lawsuit, known as “People vs. the Arctic,” was the first case to challenge the country’s constitution on environmental rights. The environmental groups claimed that the Arctic drilling would violate Section 112 of the Norwegian Constitution, which states that everyone has the right to a healthy environment.
Despite extensive appeals, Greenpeace failed to secure a single victory in the Norwegian court system, which found at every level that the government in that they did not violate the country’s constitution.
DARK MONEY FUND POURED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO ECO ACTIVIST GROUPS BLOCKING HIGHWAYS, DESTROYING FAMOUS ART
Greenpeace has been involved in several high-profile environmental cases over the years. (Getty Images)
4. Another environmental group bites the dust?
Commenting on the North Dakota ruling, a representative for Energy Transfer told Fox News Digital it was “very pleased that Greenpeace has been held accountable for their actions against us and that the jury recognized these were not law-abiding, peaceful protests as Greenpeace tried to claim.”
The representative said their victory was shared with the local native tribe and people throughout North Dakota who “had to live through the daily harassment and disruptions caused by the protesters who were funded and trained by Greenpeace.”
“It is also a win for all law-abiding Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and breaking the law,” said the representative, adding, “that Greenpeace has been held responsible is a win for all of us.”
Sushma Raman, a representative for Greenpeace USA, told Fox News Digital that the group will be appealing the decision, saying, “we will not back down from this fight, and we will not be silenced.”
GREENPEACE CO-FOUNDER: NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF HUMANS ARE DOMINANT CAUSE OF WARMING CLIMATE
Greenpeace activists on the roof of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s house in Richmond, North Yorkshire after covering it in black fabric in protest at his backing for the expansion of North Sea oil and gas drilling. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Raman said that Energy Transfer “knows we don’t have $660 million” and claimed “they want our silence, not our money.”
“This case should alarm everyone, no matter their political inclinations,” she said. “It’s part of a renewed push by corporations to weaponize our courts to silence dissent. We should all be concerned about the future of the First Amendment, and lawsuits like this aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech.”
A representative for Greenpeace International pointed out to Fox News Digital that the ruling does not impact Greenpeace’s 24 other national and regional organizations. The representative said these groups will “continue functioning as normal even in the worst case scenario.”
The representative also pointed out that Greenpeace is counter-suing Energy Transfer in a Netherlands court to recover all fines lost in the North Dakota case.
Read the full article from Here
Wisconsin
BREAKING: Wisconsin Flips Texas Tech Commit Brody Pfannenstiel
Wisconsin and head coach Luke Fickell are on an absolute heater in June. The latest move? Edge Rusher Brody Pfannenstiel, who flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to the Badgers, following an official visit.
“I had a great time there,” Pfannenstiel told Badger Blitz. “My whole family had a great time there. They treated us really well, treated us like family. Just had a really good time.”
“I think it’s pretty cool. There’s a lot of people out there. I’m not a big city guy, but it’s a good environment.”
The three-star prospect committed to the Red Raiders in March, but outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell never let off the gas pedal.
“He’s just showing I’m a big priority,” Pfannentiel explained. “He’s showing a lot of love to my and my family. It means a lot.”
“He stayed very consistent with me. That’s what stuck out with me, too. He even called me after I committed and said, ‘Congrats’ and everything. He’s stuck with me, he cares, and wants to still recruit me.”
Pfannenstiel also had scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas State, Utah, Louisville, Kansas, and others. Vanderbilt and Nebraska also made plays in the spring to try and flip Pfannenstiel.
The fourth flip for Wisconsin in the 2027 recruiting cycle, Pfannenstiel joins linebacker Keaton Wollan (Iowa State), offensive tackle Jack Tabbert (North Dakota State) and cornerback Mekhi Wlliams (Florida State) as two other prospects who switched up in favor of the Badgers.
UW is up to 23 commitments in its 2027 recruiting class. The Badgers have also edge rusher commitments from Darin Graham and Isaac Miller.
According to Rivals, Pfannenstiel is the nation’s No. 36 ranked edge rusher in the class of 2027. Stay tuned to Badger Blitz for more on his commitment…
Detroit, MI
Megan Keller named top defender at PWHL awards in Detroit
Emerging as the PWHL’s Defender of the Year made Tuesday night a special one for Megan Keller. Doing so in her hometown made it doubly so.Keller, a Farmington Hills native, earned recognition as the PWHL’s top blueliner this season with the Boston Fleet during a ceremony at One Campus Martius. She recorded 22 points in 30 games in addition to her stout defense.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Keller said. “Obviously, though, it’s a reflection of the team. I’ve got such great teammates. My D partner, also up for the award, Haley Winn.
“And goaltending Aerin Frankel, MVP, one of the best goalies in the world — makes my job super easy, and it was just so fun to come to the rink every day. We had such a special group, so to be a part of that, I’m just really thankful.”Winn earned Rookie of the Year, and Boston Fleet coach Kris Sparre earned Coach of the Year in his first campaign at the helm. He’s on to PWHL Hamilton next year, one of four expansion teams alongside Detroit. He had high praise for Keller, particularly for her athleticism and skill set. “I’ve said this before, and I’m sure this will ruffle some feathers from players that I’ve coached in the past, but she’s hands down my favorite professional athlete that I’ve coached in my 11 years,” Sparre said. “She deserves all the accolades that she gets.”
Keller’s name may ring a bell for her Olympic heroics, particularly February’s nifty move she used to score the golden goal for Team USA over Canada in the Milano-Cortina games. That’s the 30-year-old’s second Olympic gold medal of her career.Keller has also been a major proponent of expanding women’s hockey in Michigan, through both the creation of a varsity team at the University of Michigan and through a PWHL team. Fans who chanted “we want a team” at Little Caesars Arena will get their wish this year. Keller is ecstatic.“I’m so happy for the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan,” Keller said. “I think they’ve deserved a team for a long time.“I’ve gotten the opportunity to come back and play in the takeover tour games here at LCA, and the crowd that showed up, all the girls that were in the stands — I was a youth hockey player just like them growing up in all these rinks across Michigan.
“And for them to have a women’s professional team and role models to look up to every single night is going to be huge for them. I thought I was going to play on the Red Wings growing up, and to see their role models each and every day and know that they have a dream that can turn it into reality — it’s super special, and I’m so excited for what’s to come for them.”cearegood@detroitnews.com
@ConnorEaregood
J.T. Compher and Jesse Compher are the first NHL/PWHL siblings to play in the same city.
J.T. Compher and Jesse Compher are the first NHL/PWHL siblings to play in the same city.
Milwaukee, WI
5 Teams That Could Trade for Tyler Herro to Help Facilitate Giannis to Heat Deal
According to Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports, the Milwaukee Bucks are “not thrilled” about having to extend Tyler Herro in a potential trade package.
Because of this, there is belief that the Bucks are wanting the Heat to find teams that would be willing to take on Tyler Herro’s $33M expiring contract that would in return get Milwaukee more draft compensation.
This in theory makes sense, but it also seems shortsighted by the Bucks to believe they have to extend Herro if he is included in the deal. Sure, he might not fit their new timeline, but why not just take him in for the final year and flip him around the trade deadline for a team that is desperate for scoring?
It seems like Miami is the preferred destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it looks like Milwaukee wants to make sure that they get the most out of this deal, refusing to settle for the package that Miami has had on the table for the past six months.
With that said, here are the top five teams that could make sense to trade for Tyler Herro in a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade to Miami.
1. Detroit Pistons
Detroit is looking for shooting guard help and they have the assets to make a deal happen. However, this deal would have to be a three-for-one, where the Bucks would acquire Caris LeVert, Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser.
There have been reports that the Pistons have interst in sharpshooting small forward, Trey Murphy III, who makes around $5.5M less than Tyler Herro. A deal for Murphy will cost significantly more than Herro and this is a solid backup plan to get the Pistons more scoring and shooting next to Cade.
Trade Idea
Bucks: Caris LeVert, Ron Holland II, Marcus Sasser, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.
Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pistons: Tyler Herro
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are entering a rebuild, but they have expiring contracts that they could turn into better assets. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on an expiring deal for $22M, Ty Jerome is on a cheaper deal for a little over $9M per year, Taylor Hendricks is on an expiring also.
Since 2005 the Heat and Grizzlies have made six trades, showing a willingness to work together. The Grizzlies have three picks in the top 32 of the NBA Draft this year, but they could use a veteran scorer to help lead the young players.
Trade Idea
Bucks: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Taylor Hendricks, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2027 first-round pick from Memphis (via LAL/Utah) and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.
Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Grizzlies: Tyler Herro
3. New Orleans Pelicans
It appears that every team will be looking to make deals with the Pelicans this offseason, but this one makes sense for all sides. Jordan Poole is on an expiring contract and Tyler Herro would be a massive upgrade over the former Warrior and Wizard. Milwaukee gets the Pelicans to add draft compensation for taking Poole’s contract, and they don’t have the pressure of extending Poole like they would Herro.
Trade Idea
Bucks: Jordan Poole, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2028 first-round pick from New Orleans (protected Top 8) and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.
Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pelicans: Tyler Herro
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
While the goal for Minnesota to improve is bigger than acquiring Tyler Herro, with the Achilles injury to Donte Divincenzo there is a desperate need for a shooting guard who can also play the one. Minnesota is ready to make moves to improve their roster and would be willing to shake up their core to do so.
Trade Idea
Bucks: Julius Randle, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2026 first-round pick from Minnesota (No. 28), 2029 first-round pick swap, and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030) unprotected.
Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Timberwolves: Tyler Herro, 2026 second-round pck from Miami (No. 41)
5. Toronto Raptors
Toronto is a bit of a sleeper for a third team to acquire Herro, but I like the fit with Herro and a bunch of wings. For Milwaukee, they are going to look at a couple of players who they can take a flier on while entering into a lengthy rebuild.
Trade Idea
Bucks: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2026 first-round pick (No. 19) from Toronto, 2026 first-round pick (No. 13) from Miami, 2030 and 2032 unprotected first-round picks from Miami.
Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Raptors: Tyler Herro, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Simms
Final Thoughts
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that is what it will take for the Heat to find a third team to help them land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal with Milwaukee. It is still puzzling why the Bucks would not want to take back Herro in a deal, but if they can force the Heat to get more draft capital in addition to the three first-round picks they have to send out, it’s a great move for the Bucks.
Milwaukee has positioned themselves for a busy summer. Getting a handful of young players from Miami with multiple first-round picks is solid business. There are other teams that might have better packages, but the Heat have several young players who could benefit from being traded to a new team with a new opportunity.
You can follow of my NBA Coverage at @AlexGoldenNBA on X.
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