The Morning Sixpack - December 16, 2024

DRONES!, Overtime Ruling Cuts Pay, Trump Plans EV Rollback, NC Residents Avoid FEMA Aid, Trump Wins $15M ABC Settlement, Musk’s Clearance Limits Spark Debate.

Mystery Drones Spark Concerns Across New Jersey and East Coast

Officials investigate unexplained aerial activity as residents seek answers.

Since mid-November, residents across New Jersey and the East Coast have reported sightings of large, mysterious drones flying over residential areas, infrastructure sites, and even near military installations. Witnesses describe these drones as coordinated and capable of hovering for extended periods, with some flying without lights. In New Jersey alone, more than 1,000 reports have been filed, fueling public concern and prompting federal and state investigations.

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense are actively looking into the incidents but have yet to determine who is operating the drones or why. The Pentagon has stated that there is no evidence to suggest foreign involvement or malicious intent. Some officials have suggested that many sightings could be legitimate aircraft mistaken for drones, but this explanation has done little to satisfy public curiosity.

In response, lawmakers and local authorities are calling for better tracking and detection systems. Senator Chuck Schumer has urged the use of advanced radio wave technology to identify and trace drones, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to deploy a detection system to assist investigators. Despite these measures, the mystery remains unsolved, leaving residents to wonder who is responsible for the unexplained activity and whether their concerns will be addressed.

Full coverage here.

Don’t believe the hype. Remember, Occam’s Razor almost always prevails. This is most likely a combination of defense contractor(s) and civilians practicing night flying. Hell, my kid’s college club rugby team has a drone. Everybody has a drone.

And don’t forget: A lot of airplanes fly at night. This is almost definitely NOT some foreign agent spying on us in plain sight. They’d be better off doing this sort of thing during the day.

OH BUT WAIT! JOE ROGAN HAS WEIGHED IN. rEaD hErE!

Overtime Rollback: Workers at Ohio State Lose Pay Raises After Court Decision

A federal judge's ruling halts a Biden-era overtime expansion, leaving employees in financial limbo.

Imagine receiving a long-awaited pay raise, only to have it rescinded weeks later. That’s the reality for 306 employees at The Ohio State University after a federal judge struck down the Biden administration’s overtime rule. The rule, finalized in April, aimed to expand overtime protections to 4.3 million salaried workers, raising the salary threshold for eligibility. Ohio State preemptively raised salaries to comply but was forced to reverse course following the court ruling. In emails sent to affected employees, the university stated: “Given the reversal in the law, you will no longer receive an increase in your base pay.” Employees were allowed to keep the raises through the end of the year.

U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan of the Eastern District of Texas ruled in November that the Labor Department had exceeded its authority, citing issues with the salary threshold being too high and automatic updates being impractical. This decision echoed a similar 2016 court ruling that blocked a comparable overtime rule under the Obama administration. For employees like an Ohio State administrative staffer, whose salary briefly rose from $55,100 to $58,700, the decision was devastating. “It was a punch in the gut,” the staffer said, feeling the university had sent a discouraging message: “We don’t value you.”

The rollback has reignited debates about fair pay in the workplace. Labor advocates argue that the current threshold of $35,568, established under the Trump administration, leaves millions of workers unprotected. Jessica Looman, head of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division, defended the Biden rule by stating, “One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.” With the Labor Department appealing the decision and the Biden administration nearing its end, the future of overtime protections remains uncertain.

Source: NPR

Trump’s Transition Team Targets EV Policies in Sweeping Rollback

Proposals would slash support for electric vehicles, impose tariffs, and redirect funding to defense priorities.

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team is charting a dramatic reversal of Biden-era electric vehicle (EV) and emissions policies, according to a document seen by Reuters. The proposed measures include ending federal support for EV purchases, dismantling Biden’s $7.5 billion plan for EV charging infrastructure, and imposing tariffs on global battery materials. These changes aim to bolster U.S. production and shift resources toward national defense priorities. "While batteries, minerals, and other EV components are 'critical to defense production,' electric vehicles 'and charging stations are not,'" the document states.

A centerpiece of the recommendations is cutting the $7,500 EV tax credit, a key driver of recent EV sales growth. This move, combined with tariffs on battery imports, could strike a significant blow to automakers like General Motors and Hyundai, which are ramping up their EV offerings. Tesla, the leading U.S. EV seller, could also feel the impact. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a Trump supporter, has remarked that losing subsidies would hurt competitors more than Tesla. Trump’s plan also proposes blocking California’s stricter emissions standards, further reducing federal regulations on fossil-fuel vehicles.

The proposed rollback highlights a stark departure from Biden’s approach, which focused on accelerating the transition to clean energy while fostering a domestic battery supply chain separate from China. Critics warn these policies could stall U.S. progress in EV adoption and emissions reductions, but Trump’s team argues they are necessary to secure the nation’s critical mineral supply and prioritize defense readiness. The stage is set for an intense policy battle as the automotive and energy industries brace for the incoming administration’s changes.

Source: Reuters

Mistrust and Misinformation: Why Many North Carolinians Are Avoiding FEMA Aid

Hurricane survivors face a mix of skepticism, logistical barriers, and conspiracy-fueled fears in the aftermath of disaster.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on western North Carolina, only about 15% of households in the affected region have applied for FEMA aid, a strikingly low figure given the widespread destruction. Misinformation about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s intentions, coupled with long-standing distrust of the government, has created a unique challenge for disaster recovery. Some residents believe FEMA might “take things,” like land or property, while others fear invasive oversight. “We don’t want the government to come around here. We have guns if they come around here,” one resident told a volunteer, reflecting the deep-seated wariness permeating the region.

This hesitancy has been exacerbated by logistical challenges in rural areas hit hard by the hurricane, where power, internet, and road infrastructure were already fragile. FEMA has faced criticism for bureaucratic delays and denied applications, which some see as confirmation of the agency’s inefficiency. One FEMA official described the situation as a “downward spiral,” warning that the combination of mistrust and logistical hurdles risks stalling recovery. “These folks will limp instead of walk,” the official said, noting how social cohesion and trust in government have been “forever denigrated.”

Despite these setbacks, FEMA has approved $263 million for over 138,000 households in North Carolina, while implementing changes like a rapid $750 emergency payment to encourage applications. Local advocates continue to emphasize the importance of seeking aid, as FEMA’s data plays a critical role in unlocking future federal recovery funding. But for many residents, like property manager Shawna Gilmore, applying remains a fraught decision. “To be in a situation of asking for help, and then not receive it, is even worse than having asked at all,” she said, summarizing the emotional toll of the process.

Source: The Washington Post

Trump Secures $15 Million Settlement in ABC News Defamation Case

ABC News settles lawsuit over anchor’s “repeated false claims,” funds Trump’s future presidential library.

Donald Trump has won a $15 million settlement from ABC News after star anchor George Stephanopoulos stated during a March interview that Trump had been found “liable for rape.” The claim, made repeatedly during a segment challenging South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace on her support for Trump, misrepresented a civil jury's ruling, the settlement asserted. In 2023, the jury determined Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" under New York law but did not find him guilty of rape. As part of the settlement, ABC News issued an editor's note expressing “regret” over the statements and agreed to fund Trump’s future presidential library.

ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a foundation established by or for Trump and an additional $1 million to cover his legal fees. The settlement also requires ABC to post a correction to its March 10 article, stating: "ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC's This Week." An ABC spokesperson said the network was "pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing."

The lawsuit underscores Trump’s ongoing legal battles, including appeals against previous rulings in cases involving writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a civil trial and ordered to pay $83.3 million for additional defamatory statements. Addressing the ABC settlement, Trump’s legal team emphasized the importance of accountability in media. Stephanopoulos had falsely claimed, “judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape,” repeating the assertion 10 times during the broadcast.

Source: BBC News

There is a lot more to this story, which I will examine in a feature piece later this week. Preview: It’s all about a mouse.

Why Elon Musk Doesn’t Have Access to SpaceX’s Most Sensitive Secrets

Drug use, foreign contacts, and national security concerns limit the CEO’s clearance, but Trump’s presidency will change that.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, lacks access to the most classified details of his company’s national-security projects, including the U.S. government’s spy satellite programs. Although Musk holds a top-secret clearance, he does not have the higher authorizations required to view sensitive compartmented information (SCI) or special access programs. SpaceX executives and lawyers avoided seeking such clearance for Musk, fearing it could raise questions about his reported drug use and extensive contacts with foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Most of the stuff that I’m aware of... the reason to keep it top secret is it’s so boring,” Musk said in October, dismissing some of the secrecy surrounding government information.

Leon Musk is such a liar! But I digress.

SpaceX has worked with national security agencies since its inception, but Musk’s role remains constrained. His clearance journey has been complicated by incidents like his 2018 marijuana use on a podcast and more recent reports of ketamine and other substances.

According to internal discussions, SpaceX’s legal team warned that applying for a higher clearance could risk revoking his existing one or create additional barriers for the company’s growing defense work.

Despite this, Musk’s influence is set to expand: as President-elect Donald Trump’s appointee to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk may gain direct access to classified information. Trump has the authority to override security protocols, potentially bypassing traditional clearance processes.

SpaceX, which handles contracts for the Pentagon and intelligence agencies, faces a balancing act between Musk’s leadership and its obligations to protect national-security secrets. While Musk remains excluded from key aspects of classified programs like Starshield, his upcoming advisory role in the Trump administration could change that dynamic. Trump’s plans for DOGE include reviewing military spending on classified programs, with Musk expected to play a pivotal role. Whether Musk’s clearance limitations remain relevant under Trump’s presidency could depend on how the administration navigates the intersection of efficiency, security, and Musk’s unique position in both the private and public sectors.

Source: The Wall Street Journal