California
California needs to embrace nuclear power
The conduct of California’s ruling class has been the reason for a lot astonishment. Just lately, in its infinite knowledge, a bunch of California regulators decreed that by 2035, the sale of all gasoline and diesel-fueled motor autos will probably be banned within the state. All new automotive purchases have to be electrical, irrespective of how unaffordable they’re or how unprepared California’s infrastructure is to accommodate them.
Just lately, amid an unprecedented warmth wave that’s straining California’s energy grid to the breaking level, the administration of stated grid requested electrical automotive homeowners to keep away from charging their autos throughout peak energy demand durations.
If these two competing mandates appear loopy to you, you aren’t alone. Happily, there’s a answer to California’s energy woes. The truth is, that answer presents itself with the uncommon wise determination that Sacramento not too long ago took to increase the lifetime of the Diablo Canyon nuclear energy plant till a minimum of 2030. Somebody apparently acknowledged that eliminating a tenth of California’s energy capability with no prepared method to exchange it’s a unhealthy concept.
For some years, California has launched into a headlong effort to modify the state’s energy grid to renewable sources, similar to photo voltaic and wind. The reasoning was that if the state eliminates vegetation that run on carbon-emitting coal and pure fuel, California will probably be doing its half to fight what some imagine is an existential risk to the planet.
But when the aim is to eradicate carbon dioxide, California’s decommissioning of carbon-free nuclear energy vegetation has been puzzling. Nuclear energy vegetation don’t emit greenhouse gases. Not like photo voltaic and wind, nuclear energy runs 24/7 with out the necessity for sophisticated power storage expertise.
Those that object to nuclear energy carry up the accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima as causes to keep away from reliance on that expertise. Nonetheless, every of these accidents had particular causes that each different nuclear energy plant has prevented. Nuclear energy is definitely safer than fossil gas energy, contemplating the well being and environmental results of emissions.
The issue of storing nuclear waste, similar to spent gas rods, is each technically troublesome and politically controversial. Nonetheless, one answer to the issue is to recycle the waste into nuclear gas. America doesn’t recycle nuclear waste because of a 1977 determination by President Jimmy Carter, however Nice Britain, France, and Japan achieve this with appreciable success.
Within the meantime, an organization known as TerraPower is creating a brand new type of nuclear energy plant utilizing a expertise known as Natrium,
in line with CNBC
. Natrium nuclear energy vegetation use liquid sodium relatively than water as a cooling agent. The expertise is much less vulnerable to catastrophic meltdowns than typical nuclear energy. The facility vegetation produce much less nuclear waste. The primary Natrium nuclear energy plant is because of begin producing energy in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in 2028.
The TerraPower expertise has challenges, a few of them regulatory, a few of them technical. The corporate should leap by way of many regulatory hoops to get approval for the Kemmerer plant. The U.S. just isn’t but in a position to enrich uranium sufficiently to energy a Natrium nuclear energy plant on an industrial scale. This energy plant will generate 345 megawatts of energy, roughly one-third of the Diablo Canyon plant’s capability, although it will possibly surge to 500 megawatts throughout peak demand durations.
Lastly, the Kemmerer nuclear energy plant will price $4 billion to construct. TerraPower hopes to get the fee right down to $1 billion for subsequent energy vegetation.
Nuclear energy vegetation, particularly these constructed with newer expertise, are the answer to California’s power disaster. The expertise may additionally be a political winner for California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom, it’s rumored, wish to run for president in 2024. At the moment, the case for his candidacy may be very weak, contemplating all of California’s self-inflicted woes. But when Newsom embraces nuclear energy and begins including it to California’s grid, the argument for electing him president turns into significantly much less absurd.
Mark Whittington, who incessantly writes about area and politics, is the creator of
Why is America Going Again to the Moon?
He blogs at Curmudgeons Nook.
The State of California has confirmed that Social Security beneficiaries will receive an increase in their payments beginning December 30, 2024. This 2.5% increase is part of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) applied across the United States for 2025. The COLA is based on inflation rates to ensure beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power.
The December 30, 2024 Payment
The first payment reflecting this increase will be for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Normally scheduled for January 1, this payment has been moved to December 30 due to the New Year’s Day holiday. This adjustment benefits millions in California and across the country, particularly those who rely on these funds for basic needs.
Types of Social Security Benefits
The Social Security program encompasses several types of benefits, all of which will see the 2.5% increase:
- Retirement Benefits: For individuals who have reached retirement age and contributed to the system during their working years.
- Disability Insurance (SSDI): For individuals unable to work due to a long-term disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For low-income individuals, including seniors and people with disabilities.
- Survivor Benefits: Payments made to family members of deceased workers.
January 2025 Payment Schedule
Social Security payments are distributed based on the beneficiary’s birthdate. Here is the schedule for January 2025:
- January 3: Payments for those who receive benefits before May 1997 or who also receive SSI.
- January 8: Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- January 15: Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- January 22: Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of the month.
The COLA increase will be reflected in all these payments.
Impact in California and Nationwide
California, home to more than 6 million Social Security beneficiaries, will see a significant impact from this adjustment. However, the increase is a nationwide policy benefiting over 70 million recipients across the United States.
This adjustment aims to ease the financial burden on Americans as they face rising living costs, reinforcing the commitment to support the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
For more details about your payments, you can visit the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website.
Squirrels are omnivores, eating nuts, fruit, small insects — and according to a study published in the Journal of Ethology — voles.
Sonja Wild, UC Davis
hide caption
toggle caption
Sonja Wild, UC Davis
Squirrels are omnivores, eating nuts, fruit, small insects — and according to a study published in the Journal of Ethology — voles.
Sonja Wild, UC Davis
Squirrels are on the hunt in the California Bay Area.
Their target: local voles.
In a study published in the Journal of Ethology, a group of California ground squirrels were found hunting, killing and eating a vole. Lead researcher and behavioral ecologist Jennifer Smith from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire says her team witnessed this behavior in the twelfth year of a long term study.
The local vole population boomed this year. It was five to six times bigger than normal, Smith says the squirrels took advantage of that.
But this behavior is not new. “There’s been accumulating evidence of one or two events within a species of a red squirrel taking a sparrow,” she says, also noting, “They tend to go, try to take chickens.”
But these accounts have been thought to be one-offs, generally.
With this study, the squirrels’ entire process was captured via video — and shown to be a regular part of these squirrels’ behavior.
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Jordan-Marie Smith and edited by Rebecca Ramirez, Christopher Intagliata and Ashley Brown. Tyler Jones checked the facts.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is always revealing for the best boys basketball teams in California and final days of the 2024 calendar year should be no different.
The Damien Classic and Torrey Pines Holiday Classic always present a window of what is in store for the rest of the season and separates the contenders and pretenders. Next weekend at the HoopHall Classic West in Gilbert (Ariz.), Jan. 2-4, will also give the elite teams time to strut their stuff.
There are nine teams among California’s Top 25 still unbeaten at Christmas, a pretty high number, including top-ranked St. John Bosco, No. 6 Riordan and No. 8 De La Salle and No. 9 Montgomery.
Note: Only teams that play for a CIF State California title were considered for this rankings, thus eliminating Prolific Prep of Napa Christian, which can and will play for a mythical national title. Notes and rankings below from Southern Section teams supplied by SBLive’s Tarek Fattal.
The Braves win their Trinity League opener over Orange Lutheran without Brandon McCoy and Elzie Harrington. Christian Collins and Max Ellis led the way. Next up: Platinum Division in Classic at Damien.
Roosevelt wins the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, beating Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks in the final. Brayden Burries scored 26 points and Issac Williamson had 19.
Nik Khamenia notches 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a convincing win over JSerra, a team expected to earn an Open Division berth.
Notre Dame suffers its first loss in the Tarkanian Classic final to Roosevelt despite Tyran Stokes scoring 20 points. Lino Mark played just four minutes in an attempt to play while injured. (TYRAN STOKES DEBUT)
Four more wins started with 90-65 blowout of defending state D2 champion Oakland Tech behind 33 points and 10 points from Tounde Yessoufou, and a combined 45 from Julius and Malcolm Price along with Gunner Morinini. Yessoufou is averaging 29.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Won the Gridley Classic with wins over Branson (68-27), Clovis North (54-52) and previous No. 6 Salesian (52-51) thanks in part to tournament MVP Andrew Hilman (19 points). Texas Tech-bound Jasir Rencher and Irvine signee Nex Emeneke was also All-Tourney.
Pride lost their first regular-season game since 2022, 52-51 to Riordan, in finals of the Gridley Classic. Salesian missed two free throws with 1.2 seconds to play.
Win over Santa Margarita (61-57) to win the Vountour Classic was team’s most impressive. David Balogun, a rapidly improving 6-6 post, scored 29 to lead the way. Since then breathers over Mountain House (67-35), La Salle (76-26) and Sacred Heart Cathedral (79-39).
The Aztecs from San Diego won five games last week, including four at the Tarkanian Classic to take the Nike Division championship behind division’s Most Outstanding Player J.J. Sanchez, who had 22 points in the finals.
Eagles’ only loss comes this week to unbeaten NorCal power De La Salle, but bounces back with a win over Murrieta Valley.
Trailblazers beat Millikan 87-33 this past week.
The Lions get a taste of Open Division-level hoops in a 65-50 loss to Harvard-Westlake.
Redondo Union is picking up Open Division playoff buzz.
La Mirada has been idle since Dec. 14.
Coach Paul Tait is enthused by the play of sophomore point guard Dominic Loehle.
After lopsided win over St. Augustine (77-54), recorded tough wins over Sage Creek (75-66), Mission Hills (67-59) and La Jolla Country Day (80-68).
Monarchs have won five of their last six.
Pius went 2-2 at the Tarkanian Classic.
Jasone Crowe Jr. is averaging 37 points per game.
Had won four straight before losing 63-54 to Brophy College Prep of Phoenix Ariz. (63-54).
Quality win over Pacifica Christian of Orange County without Jeremiah Hampton was impressive. JJ Harris and Louis Bond impressed.
Canyon has won five straight. Brandon Benjamin averaging 30+ points a game.
Damien without big man Nate Garcia (injured).
Twelve straight wins isn’t a bad way to start the season. Defense a big key, holding opponents under 50 seven times, including three straight games limiting opponents to 49 in wins over Riverside poly (61-49), Salesian Los Angeles (93-49) and Wiseburn-Da Vinci (61-49).
Cougars last win came against Long Beach Poly on Dec. 14.
Costco egg recall for salmonella receives FDA's most severe designation
California Democrats urge feds to approve high-speed rail funding before DOGE nixes ‘boondoggle’
The real reason Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is working so hard to resist Trump
High school basketball coach dead, 8-year-old daughter missing after Christmas Eve tragedy
South Carolina AG leads legal battle over gender pronoun rules in school districts
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Costco egg recall for salmonella receives FDA's most severe designation
Joe Biden poses with Hunter's Chinese business associates in newly surfaced photos: 'Incredibly damning'
Health worker displaced by Israeli attacks in Gaza dies of ‘extreme cold’
The DOGE crowd and MAGA loyalists are in a messy feud over immigration
Canadian ministers head to Florida for talks with incoming Trump administration: report
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
Technology6 days agoGoogle’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News1 week agoNovo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics1 week agoIllegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment1 week ago'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle1 week agoThink you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
Technology3 days agoThere’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
Technology1 week agoFox News AI Newsletter: OpenAI responds to Elon Musk's lawsuit
-
News4 days agoFrance’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister