News For Reasonable People

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is facing scrutiny over its Cap-and-Investment program, with PBF Energy warning that proposed amendments could decimate in-state refining capacity. Assembly Bill 1207, championed by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, aims to extend the cap and trade program to 2045, but critics argue it will skyrocket costs and force refineries to close. PBF Energy, which supplie...

Mustang, Oklahoma, is facing controversy after Mustang Public Schools issued in-school suspensions to students who participated in an ICE walkout. The student-led protest aimed to raise awareness about immigration policies, but school officials deemed the absences unexcused, leading to disciplinary action. This decision has sparked debate about the balance between student activism and school regul...

Public Storage, the nation's largest self-storage company, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Glendale, California, to Frisco, Texas. This move highlights the ongoing trend of companies leaving California for states with more favorable business environments. CEO Thomas Boyle cited the depth of talent and innovation in the Dallas area as a key factor. Public Storage, a member of the...

Seattle may be forced to cut city services next year, according to the new budget office director. This comes as a potential blow to residents who rely on these services, raising concerns about the city's financial management and future stability. The potential cuts highlight the challenges Seattle faces in balancing its budget while maintaining essential services for its citizens. The possibl...

Washington state residents are feeling the pinch at the pump as gas prices skyrocket, reaching the second-highest in the nation at an average of $4.23 per gallon. This surge, a 40-cent increase in just one month, is largely attributed to the state's gas tax and Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which adds approximately 40-50 cents per gallon. Critics, including KIRO host Gee Scott, point out that...

Amazon is moving out of its longtime office building near its Seattle headquarters, a seven-story, 251,000-square-foot space that the tech giant has occupied since 2014. This move raises questions about Amazon's commitment to Seattle and the city's economic future, especially given the current climate of tech companies re-evaluating their office space needs. What impact will this have on S...

Washington State is considering a new 'Millionaires Tax,' and a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. The proposed tax has raised concerns about its potential impact on professional sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the possibility of losing the NBA's SuperSonics again. Supporters argue it will generate revenue for essential services, while critics fear it could drive high-income...

A controversial petition in Oregon aims to ban hunting, fishing, and pest control, spearheaded by the group 'People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions'. This measure, if successful, would criminalize these activities, sparking outrage among hunters, anglers, and those reliant on pest control for their livelihoods. Supporters argue it's a necessary step towards animal righ...

Consumer Watchdog is calling out the California Energy Commission for failing to use its power to prevent yet another gas price spike in the state. California's average gas price is now a staggering $4.58 per gallon, significantly higher than the national average. The watchdog group argues that the CEC isn't enforcing agreements with refineries, particularly Valero, to maintain production...

San Francisco's recent policy changes aimed at curbing public substance use are sparking controversy and potentially shifting the addiction crisis northward. The city's stricter approach, involving arrests for public substance use, may drive individuals to cities like Seattle with more lenient policies. However, critics question the effectiveness of Seattle's existing support systems,...

Chicago's office market is facing a severe crisis, with downtown office buildings trading at massive discounts. A century-old building in Printing House Row district plummeted from $68.1 million to a mere $4.2 million. Even newer properties are suffering, impacting the city's tax base, which funds essential services like schools and public safety. Remote work and higher interest rates are...

The Chicago Bears are considering a move to Hammond, Indiana, and this could drastically change the landscape of professional sports in the region. Indiana lawmakers have approved an amendment that would facilitate the construction of a new stadium near Wolf Lake, with the Bears committing $2 billion to the project. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott is enthusiastic about the prospect, calling it a &#...

Oregon's small businesses are facing their toughest times in over a decade, with Portland at the epicenter. Bankruptcies have surged to a 12-year high, impacting storefronts, suppliers, and nonprofits alike. The situation is mirrored nationally, with increasing commercial Chapter 11 filings driven by higher interest rates and rising costs, according to Amy Quackenboss of the American Bankruptc...

The village of Dolton, Illinois, is suing a bank, alleging that it improperly released $1.8 million in taxpayer funds, potentially enabling a spending spree by Tiffany Henyard. The lawsuit claims the bank should have stopped the transactions, raising questions about financial oversight and accountability within the village. This legal action seeks to recover the funds and prevent future misuse of...

California's High-Speed Rail Authority is under fire as a new bill, AB 1608, seeks to allow the agency to withhold investigative records from the public. Authored by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, the bill claims it's to protect the state, but critics argue it shields vital information about the project's ballooning costs, now estimated at over $100 billion. This move raises transparency c...

A new report reveals Portland's economy is in crisis, marked by a sharp decline in exports, job losses, and stalled population growth. The Portland Metro Chamber points to structural policy decisions as the root cause, with President Andrew Hoan urging a competitive mindset and learning from past mistakes. The report highlights a significant drop in exports to $6.4 billion and job losses ranki...

The Washington State Senate has passed a bill imposing a 9.9% tax on income exceeding $1 million, a move sparking heated debate across the state. Proponents argue the tax will generate crucial revenue for public services like education and infrastructure, while opponents decry it as a disincentive for wealth creation and investment. This legislation now heads to the House, where its fate remains u...

Seattle faces a stark warning from history: avoid the fate of Cleveland. Once a thriving industrial hub, Cleveland experienced a dramatic decline, losing 60% of its population and economic prominence. The article, penned by Charles Fitzgerald, highlights parallels between Seattle's current tech-driven economy and Cleveland's past dominance. Concerns are rising as entrepreneurs and technolo...

Dr. Mehmet Oz has raised serious concerns about the 'weaponization of fraud' within Minnesota's Medicaid system, estimating a staggering $100 billion in nationwide Medicaid fraud. Speaking on 'The Katie Miller Podcast,' Oz highlighted how political patronage and a lack of oversight contribute to the problem. He argues that the state's emphasis on enrolling more people in Me...

California, once a powerhouse of domestic energy production, now finds itself increasingly reliant on foreign fuel sources. Driven by stringent environmental regulations and policies that have led to the closure of numerous refineries, the state is now importing fuel to meet its energy demands. This shift raises critical questions about energy independence and the true cost of California's cli...

A new study confirms Seattle's 2024 'Gig Worker' law has been a miserable failure. The National Bureau of Economic Research study showed higher per-delivery pay was offset by fewer deliveries and lower tips. Active drivers saw no net gain in monthly earnings. DoorDash reported a decline of 30,000 orders, while UberEats saw a 30 percent drop in order volume. Drivers earned less than hal...

A judge has cleared the way for a mega-lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and California, alleging negligence in extinguishing the Lachman Fire, which led to the devastating Palisades Fire. The lawsuit claims the city failed to provide water and properly address smoldering hotspots, leading to 12 deaths and billions in damages. Lead attorney Alex "Trey" Robertson accuses Mayor Karen...

Portland's economic woes continue as the city's 20 largest office buildings have collectively lost a staggering $2 billion in market value since 2019. This significant decline raises serious concerns about the city's financial stability and the future of its downtown core. The exodus of businesses, coupled with rising crime rates and persistent social unrest, has created a perfect stor...

A Minnesota man, Caesar Munir Wilson, is facing serious charges after allegedly receiving nearly $20 million in undeserved tax refunds from the U.S. Treasury. Federal prosecutors claim Wilson filed false claims requesting over $210 million in refunds and conspired to file false tax returns totaling over $350 million. He reportedly used the ill-gotten gains to purchase a $2.6 million home, invest i...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into a development project in Kaufman, Texas, linked to a Dubai-based company, over concerns it may become a 'sharia city.' Paxton stated that while on American soil, everyone must obey American laws, and his office will thoroughly investigate the matter. The probe was initiated after reports suggested that up to 20,000 foreig...