|
Listen To This Story
 |
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
US Renewable Electricity Surpassed Coal in 2022 (Maria)
The author writes, “Electricity generated from renewables surpassed coal in the United States for the first time in 2022, the US Energy Information Administration announced Monday. Renewables also surpassed nuclear generation in 2022 after first doing so last year. Growth in wind and solar significantly drove the increase in renewable energy and contributed 14% of the electricity produced domestically in 2022. ‘I’m happy to see we’ve crossed that threshold, but that is only a step…’ said Stephen Porder, a professor of ecology and assistant provost for sustainability at Brown University.”
What Connects Trump’s Likely Arrest With the Bank Bailouts? (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “What connects the two biggest stories now dominating the news — Donald Trump’s likely arrest and the Fed’s bailouts of shaky banks? Start with multi-billionaire Peter Thiel, and follow the money.”
‘Election Integrity’ Proposals Do Not Address Most Common Voting Infraction in Wisconsin (Al)
From Wisconsin Watch: “Election fraud is exceptionally rare: Over the past decade in Wisconsin, it has been prosecuted fewer than 200 times, or about once for every 163,000 ballots cast. And within that tiny universe, the most common reason for criminal charges is not people voting under dead people’s names, double voting or voter impersonation — the kinds of crimes election skeptics like former President Donald Trump claim happen on a large scale. The main cause is a voter’s probation status, a Wisconsin Watch analysis of every Wisconsin election fraud case since 2012 found.”
‘Don’t Say Gay’ Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to COVID Relief Fraud (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call ‘Don’t Say Gay’ pleaded guilty … to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. He faces up to 35 years in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 25.”
Austin Jailer Breaks Elderly Deaf Woman’s Arm After Misunderstanding at Airport (Dana)
From The Austin Chronicle: “Karen McGee, a deaf, 71-year-old Florida resident, is considering a lawsuit against the city of Austin after what was supposed to be a three-hour layover at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport turned into an arrest, a weekend in the Travis County Jail, and an arm broken by a jailer and left untreated for three days.”
Most Trans Adults Say Transitioning Made Them More Satisfied With Their Lives (Russ)
From The Washington Post: “Transgender Americans experience stigma and systemic inequality in many aspects of their lives, including education, work and health-care access, a wide-ranging Washington Post-KFF poll finds. … They are more than twice as likely as the population at large to have experienced serious mental health struggles such as depression. Yet most trans adults say transitioning has made them more satisfied with their lives.”
Previously Unknown Jackson Pollock Painting, Possibly Worth $54M, Was Discovered During Raid, Report Bulgarian Authorities (Sean)
From ArtNews: “In incredible news, Bulgarian officials say they discovered a previously unknown painting by Jackson Pollock during an investigation into an international art trafficking operation. According to Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), which first reported the find [last] Tuesday, the painting could be worth up to €50 million ($54 million). Citing sources close to the investigations, BNR said that the raid targeted an organized criminal group that operated across Athens, Greece, and the Greek Isles of Sofia and Crete.”
