The Energy News Digest for June 10, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits The Energy News Digest.

NWPPA’s Manager as Leader Series Heads to Vancouver, Washington

All courses in NWPPA’s Manager as Leader Series will be coming to Vancouver, Washington, as two-part workshops this year. Own Your Role and Build Thriving Relationships will be Aug. 5-6, Interact With Impact and Lead Change will be Oct. 7-8, and Lead Teams and Coach for Success will be Dec. 1-2. These workshops are designed to ignite, inspire, and nurture the leader mindset within you. Register by next Monday, June 22, to get the early-bird rate for the August workshop.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

U.S. Power Use to Beat Record Highs in 2026 & 2027 as Artificial Intelligence Use Surges, EIA Says (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-power-use-beat-record-highs-2026-2027-ai-use-surges-eia-says-2026-06-09/

New Evidence Confirms Edison's Idle Line Ignited Eaton Fire, Lawyers Say (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/new-evidence-confirms-edisons-idle-line-ignited-eaton-fire-lawyers-say/ar-AA25bGbk

Avista Confirms 'Large Load' Customer Is a Data Center (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/avista-confirms-large-load-customer-is-a-potential-data-center-development/ar-AA25dLXt

Seattle City Council Unanimously Backs Temporary Moratorium on New Data Centers (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/seattle-city-council-unanimously-backs-temporary-moratorium-on-new-data-centers-two-measures-preventing-new-facilities-study-impact-environmental-infrastructure-economic-effects

New WA Law Aims to Keep Minors Off E-Bikes (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/new-wa-law-e-bikes

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      U.S. Power Use to Beat Record Highs in 2026 & 2027 as Artificial Intelligence Use Surges, EIA Says

2.      New Evidence Confirms Edison's Idle Line Ignited Eaton Fire, Lawyers Say

3.      Hoover Dam Approaches a Hydropower Cliff

4.      ‘You Do Not Own the Airspace Above Your Property’: Idaho Power Drone Shot Near Cascade

5.      The Public Now Backs Nuclear Energy. What Will It Take to Make It Happen?

6.      FEMA Reforms Must Be Tailored to Protect Co-ops, NRECA Tells Review Council

7.      The Northeast Has the Transmission. But Where’s the Power?

8.      Solar Power Hits New Milestones in the U.S. Even as Trump Boosts Coal Over Clean Energy

9.      WA State: Avangrid Bags Contract to Power Microsoft in Klickitat County

10.   Controversial Plan to Kill Owls Is Underway in WA. Here’s Who’s Leading the Way

11.   27 Grey Whales Stranded in WA So Far This Year, Over 120 Along West Coast

12.   Montana Snowpack Rapidly Melted in May

13.   One in Two Americans Worry Artificial Intelligence Could Replace a Family Member's Job

14.   Avista Confirms 'Large Load' Customer Is a Data Center

15.   Seattle City Council Unanimously Backs Temporary Moratorium on New Data Centers

16.   Developers Appeal Pocatello’s Denial of Proposed Artificial Intelligence Data Center

17.   Data Centers Are Surging. A WA Lab Has Advice on Making Them More Responsible

18.   New WA Law Aims to Keep Minors Off E-Bikes

19.   News Release: Washington’s Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expanding Thanks to $37 Million in Awards from Commerce

20.   Triple-Digit Temperatures Possible; Weekend Weather Could Break Portland’s Historical Records

21.   Meteorological Roller Coaster – June Is an Interesting Weather Month in the Northwest.

22.   Guest Essay: Propaganda Won’t Change the Facts. Idaho’s Salmon Are in Deep Trouble

Word of the Day

Debile /DEB-bill/ Adjective - Marked by debility: feeble.

Across the ochre dunes of Barsoom, even the debile glow of Thuria’s waning light seemed to falter before the proud stride of the Earth‑born wanderer, John Carter, whose shadow fell long and defiant upon the dead sea bottoms of a dying world.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      U.S. Power Use to Beat Record Highs in 2026 & 2027 as Artificial Intelligence Use Surges, EIA Says (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-power-use-beat-record-highs-2026-2027-ai-use-surges-eia-says-2026-06-09/

2.      New Evidence Confirms Edison's Idle Line Ignited Eaton Fire, Lawyers Say (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/new-evidence-confirms-edisons-idle-line-ignited-eaton-fire-lawyers-say/ar-AA25bGbk

3.      Hoover Dam Approaches a Hydropower Cliff (Circle of Blue)

https://waterdesk.org/2026/06/hoover-dam-approaches-a-hydropower-cliff/

4.      ‘You Do Not Own the Airspace Above Your Property’: Idaho Power Drone Shot Near Cascade (Valley Outlook, ID)

https://valleylookout.com/2026/06/09/you-do-not-own-the-airspace-above-your-property-idaho-power-drone-shot-near-cascade/

5.      The Public Now Backs Nuclear Energy. What Will It Take to Make It Happen? (Wall Street Journal – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-public-now-backs-nuclear-energy-what-will-it-take-to-make-it-happen/ar-AA25dhuz

6.      FEMA Reforms Must Be Tailored to Protect Co-ops, NRECA Tells Review Council (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

https://www.electric.coop/fema-reforms-must-be-tailored-to-protect-co-ops-nreca-tells-review-council

7.      The Northeast Has the Transmission. But Where’s the Power? (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2026/06/09/the-northeast-has-the-transmission-but-wheres-the-power-00954794

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8.      Solar Power Hits New Milestones in the U.S. Even as Trump Boosts Coal Over Clean Energy (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-solar-coal-mining-climate-electricity-50250099a4e94384af4aa9f197d62403

9.      WA State: Avangrid Bags Contract to Power Microsoft in Klickitat County (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

https://www.goldendalesentinel.com/news/avangrid-bags-contract-to-power-microsoft-in-county/article_5bca3c98-74d9-4b4e-8517-16a3b37495c3.html

Fish & Wildlife

10.   Controversial Plan to Kill Owls Is Underway in WA. Here’s Who’s Leading the Way (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/controversial-plan-kill-owls-underway-120000080.html

11.   27 Grey Whales Stranded in WA So Far This Year, Over 120 Along West Coast (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/27-grey-whales-stranded-wa-so-far-this-year-over-120-along-west-coast-total/UGAPWIHN5BEVBDBEDBOGWCJJEA/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

12.   Montana Snowpack Rapidly Melted in May (Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/06/09/montana-snowpack-rapidly-melted-in-may/

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

13.   One in Two Americans Worry Artificial Intelligence Could Replace a Family Member's Job (Times Now News)

https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/one-in-two-americans-worry-ai-could-replace-a-family-members-job-article-154556842

HAL’s Internet Café

14.   Avista Confirms 'Large Load' Customer Is a Data Center (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/avista-confirms-large-load-customer-is-a-potential-data-center-development/ar-AA25dLXt

15.   Seattle City Council Unanimously Backs Temporary Moratorium on New Data Centers (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/seattle-city-council-unanimously-backs-temporary-moratorium-on-new-data-centers-two-measures-preventing-new-facilities-study-impact-environmental-infrastructure-economic-effects

16.   Developers Appeal Pocatello’s Denial of Proposed Artificial Intelligence Data Center (KIVI-TV, Nampa, ID)

https://www.kivitv.com/news/developers-appeal-pocatellos-denial-of-proposed-ai-data-center

17.   Data Centers Are Surging. A WA Lab Has Advice on Making Them More Responsible (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://tech.yahoo.com/science/articles/data-centers-surging-wa-lab-110000328.html

I Sing the Car Electric

18.   New WA Law Aims to Keep Minors Off E-Bikes (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/new-wa-law-e-bikes

19.   News Release: Washington’s Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expanding Thanks to $37 Million in Awards from Commerce (WA Dept. of Commerce)

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/washingtons-electric-vehicle-charging-network-expanding-thanks-to-37-million-in-awards-from-commerce/

Other Things to Know About Today

20.   Triple-Digit Temperatures Possible; Weekend Weather Could Break Portland’s Historical Records (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2026/06/triple-digit-temperatures-possible-weekend-weather-could-break-portlands-historical-records.html

21.   Meteorological Roller Coaster – June Is an Interesting Weather Month in the Northwest. (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2026/06/meteorological-roller-coaster.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

22.   Guest Essay: Propaganda Won’t Change the Facts. Idaho’s Salmon Are in Deep Trouble (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/propoganda-won-t-change-facts-100000871.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Nearly $500,000 of Bourbon Stolen in Philadelphia Daytime Heist

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/bourbon-heist-philadelphia-theft-alcohol-b2991833.html

A Dozen Giant Trolls Heading to Washington State Zoo, Wildlife Park

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/dozen-giant-trolls-heading-washington-zoo-wildlife-park/ILIYGQBYKBFIXG2WZ6GMZMESCQ/

Half-Red, Half-Yellow Chimera Apple Draws Crowds at New Zealand Store

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/06/09/nz-chimera-apple-Sunshine-Corner-Market-Christchurch-New-Zealand/2441781023736/

Pennsylvania Boy, 7, Puts on 50 Sweaters to Break World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/06/10/Guinness-World-Records-most-sweaters/6831781107509/

Song of the Day

Willie Nelson - Whiskey River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSTDgc7dbyc

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for June 8, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits The Energy News Digest.

Strengthen Communication and Customer Service Skills This Summer

As you’re making summer plans, take a moment to register for two new NWPPA courses and build skills that will serve you for years to come. Elevate Your Impact with Upward Communication Skills (July 15) will help you increase your influence with leadership, while Emotional Intelligence in Action: Mastering De-Escalation Skills (July 16) focuses on bolstering your EQ so you can better manage difficult customer interactions. Both courses are led by popular NWPPA instructor Kayla Curry of Organization Impact.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Considers Power Shutoffs This Week Over Elevated Fire Danger (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/pge-psps-elevated-fire-danger/71526214

Energy Department Says Advanced Nuclear Reactor First to Reach Critical Milestone (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-power-microreactor-energy-criticality-antares-b07f3e7773acd2965cd935bb2c706865

Avista Agrees to Framework to Provide Single Business with Power Equal to Half of All Spokane County Customers (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jun/03/avista-working-with-developer-to-provide-massive-a/

Court Rules Against Quinault Fishing Takeover (Aberdeen Daily News, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/2026/06/03/court-rules-against-quinault-fishing-takeover/

Ocean Observatories Go Dark Off Pacific Northwest Coast (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/ocean-observatories-go-dark-off-pacific-northwest-coast

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Considers Power Shutoffs This Week Over Elevated Fire Danger

2.      Energy Department Says Advanced Nuclear Reactor First to Reach Critical Milestone

3.      Avista Agrees to Framework to Provide Single Business with Power Equal to Half of All Spokane County Customers

4.      Protesters Target NV Energy at Electric Utility Conference as Anger Over Affordability Rises

5.      Trump Administration Announces $850 Million to Modernize U.S. Coal Capacity, Build Two New Plants

6.      LIHEAP Funding Would Increase by $10 Million to $4.055 Billion Under Appropriations Bill

7.      Growing Grid Strategy: Undergrounding Power Lines to Withstand Weather

8.      North Carolina: Former Duke Energy Workers Accused of Stealing $600,000 in Power Near Speedway

9.      Grid Scale Battery Facilities in Washington? Some Say Not in My Backyard

10.   A Proposed Willamette Valley Solar Park Is Back. Neighbors Still Oppose It

11.   Pioneering Grid Battery Nudges California Closer to 24/7 Clean Energy

12.   Calpine Completes 25 MW Geothermal Expansion in California

13.   PacifiCorp’s Long-Term Plans Don’t Include New Renewables — Advocates Are Fighting That, Again

14.   U.S. Supreme Court Slaps Down Biden Administration Energy Conservation Ruling

15.   Court Rules Against Quinault Fishing Takeover

16.   Video: Passage Home – Tribes Remove Barriers to Salmon Habitat

17.   Low Cascades Snowpack That Triggered Drought Emergency May Worsen with Warmer, Drier June

18.   WA State: Wahkiakum PUD Commissioners ‘Out of the Fluoride Business’

19.   Ocean Observatories Go Dark Off Pacific Northwest Coast

20.   Data Privacy: Supreme Court Sides with Trump Administration on Federal Regulation of Telecom Companies

21.   Ookla Finds a Slow Global Shift to Advanced Wi-Fi

22.   Data Center Planned for Downtown Seattle Despite Looming Moratorium

23.   Portland General Electric to Increase Data Center Rates by 29%, Cut Residential Rates by 1.3%

24.   Data Centers Are Driving Demand for Gas from Northwest Utilities, Reports Find

25.   Artificial Intelligence to Double Data Center Power & Water Consumption by 2030, UN Researchers Say

26.   California: In a First for the Country, Voters in Monterey Park Ban Data Centers

27.   California Tesla Driver Seen Napping Behind Wheel on Interstate 5

28.   Artificial Intelligence, Journalism & the Uncertain Future of the Public Square

29.   Federal Lab Cuts Could Hamper Fire Forecasting Efforts

30.   Solar Flare Prompts Storm Warnings, Chance at Seeing Northern Lights in Oregon This Week

31.   Republicans Probe China’s Influence in Data Center Opposition

32.   From Unfilled Gas Tanks to Fewer Frills, Retailers See U.S. Consumers Rethink Their Spending

33.   California: Jury Selection Begins in Palisades Fire Arson Trial

34.   Editorial: Forty-Year-Old Idaho Water Deal Being Tested as Never Before

Word of the Day

Homophone \HOME-uh-fone\ Noun - A word that is pronounced like another word but is different in meaning, origin, or spelling.

A homophone haiku

     I chased your chaste love

     Your love is a sweet dessert.

     Dear don’t desert me.

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      California: Pacific Gas & Electric Considers Power Shutoffs This Week Over Elevated Fire Danger (KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA)

https://www.kcra.com/article/pge-psps-elevated-fire-danger/71526214

2.      Energy Department Says Advanced Nuclear Reactor First to Reach Critical Milestone (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-power-microreactor-energy-criticality-antares-b07f3e7773acd2965cd935bb2c706865

3.      Avista Agrees to Framework to Provide Single Business with Power Equal to Half of All Spokane County Customers (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jun/03/avista-working-with-developer-to-provide-massive-a/

4.      Protesters Target NV Energy at Electric Utility Conference as Anger Over Affordability Rises (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/protesters-target-nv-energy-electric-utility-conference-anger-over-affordability-electric-rates/821995/

5.      Trump Administration Announces $850 Million to Modernize U.S. Coal Capacity, Build Two New Plants (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-announces-850m-modernize-coal-capacity-build-new-plants/822109/

6.      LIHEAP Funding Would Increase by $10 Million to $4.055 Billion Under Appropriations Bill (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/liheap-funding-would-increase-10-million-4055-billion-under-appropriations-bill

7.      Growing Grid Strategy: Undergrounding Power Lines to Withstand Weather (Power Magazine)

https://www.powermag.com/growing-grid-strategy-undergrounding-power-lines-to-withstand-weather/

8.      North Carolina: Former Duke Energy Workers Accused of Stealing $600,000 in Power Near Speedway (WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC)

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/former-duke-energy-employees-charged-electricity-theft-cabarrus-county/275-50ae3dc8-c830-4fcd-a78f-7bf6d77e6451

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

9.      Grid Scale Battery Facilities in Washington? Some Say Not in My Backyard (KONA Radio, Pasco, WA)

https://610kona.com/ixp/1135/p/snoqualmie-battery-facility-opposition/

10.   A Proposed Willamette Valley Solar Park Is Back. Neighbors Still Oppose It (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/04/proposed-willamette-valley-solar-park-neighbors/

11.   Pioneering Grid Battery Nudges California Closer to 24/7 Clean Energy (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/long-duration-energy-storage/pioneering-grid-battery-california

12.   Calpine Completes 25 MW Geothermal Expansion in California (Investing)

https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/calpine-completes-25-mw-geothermal-expansion-in-california-93CH-4730644

13.   PacifiCorp’s Long-Term Plans Don’t Include New Renewables — Advocates Are Fighting That, Again (Utah News Dispatch)

https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/03/pacificorp-plan-no-new-renewables-advocates-push-back/

Conservation & Efficiency

14.   U.S. Supreme Court Slaps Down Biden Administration Energy Conservation Ruling (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_f46c8bdf-cbef-41e4-8785-c88ee07c8cc3.html

Fish & Wildlife

15.   Court Rules Against Quinault Fishing Takeover (Aberdeen Daily News, WA)

https://www.thedailyworld.com/2026/06/03/court-rules-against-quinault-fishing-takeover/

16.   Video: Passage Home – Tribes Remove Barriers to Salmon Habitat (NW Treaty Tribes)

https://nwtreatytribes.org/passage/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17.   Low Cascades Snowpack That Triggered Drought Emergency May Worsen with Warmer, Drier June (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/low-cascades-snowpack-that-triggered-drought-emergency-may-worsen-with-warmer-drier-june-water-rain-snow-storm-river-wildfire-fire-smoke-risk-agriculture-travel-safety-washington

18.   WA State: Wahkiakum PUD Commissioners ‘Out of the Fluoride Business’ (Wahkiakum Eagle, Cathlamet, WA)

https://theeagle.news/2026/06/04/commissioners-voted-to-discontinue-fluoridation-in-the-cathlamet-water-system/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

19.   Ocean Observatories Go Dark Off Pacific Northwest Coast (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kuow.org/stories/ocean-observatories-go-dark-off-pacific-northwest-coast

London Calling –Telecommunications

20.   Data Privacy: Supreme Court Sides with Trump Administration on Federal Regulation of Telecom Companies (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-att-verizon-location-data-fcc-c0d184c82a104d653c8f1452357f68bd

21.   Ookla Finds a Slow Global Shift to Advanced Wi-Fi (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/ookla-finds-a-slow-global-shift-to-advanced-wi-fi/

HAL’s Internet Café

22.   Data Center Planned for Downtown Seattle Despite Looming Moratorium (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/data-center-planned-downtown-seattle-spite-looming-moratorium/PYJQVZA5ONGYZITNZ4ZSCWCWBU/

23.   Portland General Electric to Increase Data Center Rates by 29%, Cut Residential Rates by 1.3% (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/04/data-centers-utility-rate-pge/

24.   Data Centers Are Driving Demand for Gas from Northwest Utilities, Reports Find (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/04/repub/data-centers-are-driving-demand-for-gas-from-northwest-utilities-reports-find/

25.   Artificial Intelligence to Double Data Center Power & Water Consumption by 2030, UN Researchers Say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ai-double-data-centre-power-water-consumption-by-2030-un-researchers-say-2026-06-03/

26.   California: In a First for the Country, Voters in Monterey Park Ban Data Centers (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-a-first-for-the-country-voters-in-monterey-park-ban-data-centers/ar-AA24LOAi

I Sing the Car Electric

27.   California Tesla Driver Seen Napping Behind Wheel on Interstate 5 (KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://ktla.com/news/california/california-tesla-driver-seen-napping-behind-wheel-on-interstate-5/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

28.   Artificial Intelligence, Journalism & the Uncertain Future of the Public Square (NY Times – Via Nieman Lab)

https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/06/youll-need-journalism-so-distinctive-it-has-its-own-gravity-new-york-times-publisher-a-g-sulzberger-on-how-news-organizations-can-stand-up-to-ai/

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

29.   Federal Lab Cuts Could Hamper Fire Forecasting Efforts (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/08/wildfire-research-cuts-growing-fire-risk

30.   Solar Flare Prompts Storm Warnings, Chance at Seeing Northern Lights in Oregon This Week (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/solar-flare-prompts-storm-warnings-chance-at-seeing-northern-lights-in-oregon-this-week/

Politics, Governance, and Management

31.   Republicans Probe China’s Influence in Data Center Opposition (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/04/republicans-probe-china-influence-data-center-opposition-00950533

Other Things to Know About Today

32.   From Unfilled Gas Tanks to Fewer Frills, Retailers See U.S. Consumers Rethink Their Spending (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-consumer-economy-retailers-3fb28b7dfc4ba21689e6c7068a32c70e

33.   California: Jury Selection Begins in Palisades Fire Arson Trial (KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA)

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/palisades-fire-arson-trial-jury/3901112/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

34.   Editorial: Forty-Year-Old Idaho Water Deal Being Tested as Never Before (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID – Via AOL)

https://www.aol.com/news/forty-old-idaho-water-deal-100000009.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Stunning Video Shows Random Audience Member Saving Concert After an Emergency

https://www.aol.com/articles/stunning-video-shows-random-audience-201330000.html?guccounter=1

FIFA Bans Vuvuzelas from World Cup Stadiums

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/fifa-bans-vuvuzelas-world-cup-stadiums-2026-06-04/

Australian Cockroach Kingpin Caught with 100,000 Illegal Insects in Record Bug Bust

https://apnews.com/article/illegal-cockroaches-seized-australia-madagascar-hissing-dubia-e35889bf7910169f6bd091e34b35e029

East & West Coast Butter Is Different, And We’ve All Been Living a Lie

https://nz.news.yahoo.com/east-west-coast-butter-different-110017885.html

Song of the Day

Justin Hurwitz – Epilogue (La La Land Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSg3tBzAVFk

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.