This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post What We Call a Black Hole Is the Big Bang for Others appeared first on Anomalien.com.

A climate activist in the Houston area learned through a clever use of Apple AirTags that the recycling program in her city was not living up to its promises.Brandy Deason was skeptical when she heard that "all plastic" — even plastic not usually considered recyclable — would be "accepted" in the recycling program sponsored by the city of Houston.'We need a huge supply of plastics to get ready for startup here, and we want to start that now in order to get ahead of it.'An avid recycler and a climate justice coordinator at Air Alliance Houston, Deason suspected that her plastic recyclables weren't making their way to a recycling facility and devised a strategy to test her suspicions. She dropped an Apple AirTag into a dozen different loads of plastic recyclables, leading CBS News reporter Ben Tracy to refer to her in jest as a "plastics spy."Lo and behold, nine of the 12 AirTags, fully 75%, wound up at Wright Waste Management, a waste-processing facility located about 20 miles from downtown Houston, according to Newsweek.Back in 2022, Houston officials touted a new, state-of-the-art program from Cyclyx International that would transform almost all plastics into pellets that could then be recycled. According to a LinkedIn profile believed to be associated with it, Cyclyx is a "consortium of companies with a mission to help increase the plastic recycling rate from 10% to 90%."In under two years, Cyclyx and other companies involved in the Houston program have collected approximately 250 tons of plastics sorted for recycling. Unfortunately, almost none of those plastics have yet been recycled — and most Houstonians are likely none the wiser."I think that they've gotten the idea that it's being taken care of and being recycled," Deason told CBS News about her fellow Houston residents.In fact, much of the supposedly recyclable plastics have been stacked in piles nearly 10 feet high at Wright, aerial drone footage from CBS News showed, waiting for a sorting facility that has yet to be completed.Ryan Tebbets, a vice president at Cyclyx International, admitted to CBS News that the revolutionary plastics recycling program has never been tried at scale but insisted that most of the material at the waste facility would eventually be recycled."We need a huge supply of plastics to get ready for startup here, and we want to start that now in order to get ahead of it," Tebbets explained.ExxonMobil, which helps fund Cyclyx, likewise insisted that "advanced recycling" is not a pipe dream but a present-day reality. "Advanced recycling is real. It's happening. We're doing it," said Ray Mastroleo, Exxon's global market development manager for advanced recycling.Mark Wilfalk, the director of solid waste management in Houston, was less enthusiastic about the current state of the plastics recycling program. After viewing the drone footage of the Wright facility, Wilfalk acknowledged that "it's not the most desirable-looking site."Still, Wilfalk believes that Wright is the right spot for the plastics — for now. "We're gonna stockpile it for now. We're gonna see what happens," he told Newsweek."This is not an issue of 'it's our fault,'" Deason told Newsweek. "This is an issue of overproduction of things that are known not to be recyclable in the plastics industry."Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has been investigating ExxonMobil and Cyclyx's claims about recycling plastics and has openly suggested that some of the promises are largely illusionary, AppleInsider indicated. Mastroleo of Exxon seemingly disagrees, telling CBS News that "this is just the starting point, and we are in it for the long haul."Blaze News reached out to Deason for comment but did not receive a response. Newsweek reached out to Wright Waste Management and Houston's Resilience and Sustainability Office for comment as well.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The top-ranked golfer in the world poked fun at a reporter who asked an odd question about why he had a poor stroke.In the final round of the Tour Championship, No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a 67 to win the tournament by four strokes at -30. However, on the Par 4 eighth hole, Scheffler hit his tee shot into a greenside bunker. Then, with the flag in frame, the replay showed that Scheffler shanked his shot from the bunker way off to his right."No one is immune to the shank. Not even Scottie Scheffler," the PGA Tour wrote above the video on X.'It's a tremendous amount of pressure, and he handled it super well.'Even though Scheffler won the tournament, ESPN's Mark Schlabach felt the need to focus on the rare mistake in the post-round press conference."What happened on that shot out of the bunker?" the reporter asked."I shanked it," Scheffler said plainly."Why did you shank it?" Schlabach pressed on.Scheffler then hilariously gave the reporter a breakdown of golf-club physics."So there's the club, there's this straight part of the face, and then over here is the hosel, and on that one specifically, I caught too much of that part of the face. That's why it went to the right. It's shaped kind of ... a little curve," Scheffler explained, as laughter erupted around the room."And then ..." Scheffler continued, with the reporter desperately trying to interject. "If I hit the straight part it's going to go that way ... and then if I hit this part it's going to come towards you.""I know the season, thank you," the reporter replied as Scheffler laughed at him.It was later revealed that when Scheffler shanked the shot, his caddie reminded him who he was in order to reinstill confidence in the golfer."Just remember who you are," caddie Ted Scott said. "You're Scottie Scheffler."Scott explained that the amount of pressure on Scheffler's shoulders was massive and that he just needed to keep the champion's head in the game."It's like eight months, knowing you're going to have a lead here," the caddie continued, per the PGA Tour. "It's a tremendous amount of pressure, and he handled it super well."Scheffler went on to say that he's proud of his results, but winning tournaments is something he tries not to focus on. "Maybe the last couple years I've put too much pressure on myself to perform," Scheffler revealed. "But this year I did a good job of just staying in it mentally and keeping my head down."The champion still called winning a "great feeling" and said it felt "really special" to take home the FedEx Cup Championship, awarded to the tour's overall winner.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Former WWE wrestler Val Venis has been targeted by pro-transgender activists for making remarks that men should not wrestle against women.Venis, whose birth name is Sean Morley, has criticized popular wrestling organization All Elite Wrestling for its promotion of transgender activism. Morley has also spoken out against the organization over one of its employees, Nyla Rose, a man who believes he is a woman.Rose was born Brandon Degroat and, according to multiple sources, later changed his name to Brandi once he started identifying as a woman. Degroat wrestles against other women in AEW as if he were a biological woman himself.Among many comments, Venis has said "trans 'women' are not women. They are factually men who, for one reason or another, like to dress up like women."'It goes further than that for liberals. They hate the person, not just the political positions the person holds.'His commentary angered some wrestling fans who quickly went to work conducting pro-transgender activism in the name of the former pro wrestler.According to RingsideNews, a musician named Matt Koon bought the domain ValVenis.com and directed the URL to pro-transgender activist websites.Venis told Blaze News that he initially thought nothing of the domain purchase but took notice when it began pushing a particular ideology under his name."When he started to use that domain and publish it online as if it was something that I stand behind that's when it became an issue," the wrestler said. — (@) At the same tine, a man named Thevy Dianingana — who uses the moniker HaangEmHiigh on X — even filed a pending trademark under the name Val Venis.According to website Fightful, the trademark was filed under providing information about rights, events, and commentary about gay activism.However, Venis explained that he has battled over his likeness and trademark before with the WWE (formerly WWF), which typically keeps hold of the image and likeness of its characters."[The activist] noticed that in 2007 the WWE attempted to trademark the name Val Venis," the 53-year-old stated. "At that point in time I had already been using it for eight years in commerce. Common law establishes that in order ... for them to get the trademark in their name, the WWE name, they would need my permission.""The examining attorney at the trademark office wrote back and forth with the attorney at the WWE," the wrestler continued. "The examining attorney said 'you've got to get this guy's signature, he's been using [the name] for eight years.'"Venis then said the WWE exhausted all its appeals and eventually abandoned its attempts to gain ownership of the name without his signature.The activists are going to "run into the same issue," Venis said with confidence. The wrestler posted a formal warning on X, asking Koon to cease the use of the domain and hand it over."Disagreeing with my political positions is one thing; deliberately attempting to damage my reputation and usurp ?? ???????? ??? ?????? is a grave matter and will be met with the full extent of legal action," Venis wrote. — (@) Venis seemed perplexed at the activists' inability to debate issues without turning to alleged attacks on his likeness and said their beliefs go much further than a political disagreement."It goes further than that for liberals. They hate the person, not just the political positions the person holds, but the person themselves. They hated me so much," Venis said.For AEW, Venis has called for the wrestling organization to stop promoting gender ideology on young fans. Specifically, he has called out star wrestler Cody Rhodes, who has been instrumental in the organization's success.Rhodes has promoted transgender activism and even posed with a young fan holding a transgender flag.'Anything they argue is based on feeling and emotion.'Venis went on to say that he would be willing to take a look at any evidence that the activists were presenting on the issue of transgender women (men) participating in women's sports. However, they seem unwilling to do so."I'm willing to change my position if the facts dictate that ... but these people don't come with any facts whatsoever. Anything they argue is based on feeling and emotion, [when] you ask any rational questions, instead of engaging and answering questions ... they don't want anything to do that.""They immediately call you a transphobe," he concluded.Blaze News asked Koon about the Val Venis domain and which views of Venis he specifically disagreed with. He did not directly address those topics:"There is no conflict with Val Venis," Koon said. "There also is no conflict with Mickey Mouse, or any other fictional character."Blaze News has reached out to Dianingana for comment, and this article will be updated with any applicable responses.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Kamala Harris finally did a “big girl interview” — but she didn't take off the training wheels. The interview was pre-recorded, fairly short, and not to be done without the help of her emotional support candidate for vice president, Tim Walz. Former head of the Texas GOP Allen West and Alex Stein of “Prime Time with Alex Stein” weren’t impressed. “The climate crisis is real,” Kamala said in the interview. “It is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time. We did that with the Inflation Reduction Act.” “She did cast a deciding vote,” West says, commenting on her invoking her hand in the Inflation Reduction Act. “But, it’s kind of interesting that when they came in, inflation was 1.4% and she was the vice president. It went up to 9.1%. It’s still at three something percent. It hasn’t been that much of a reduction.” West notes that the interview was not only pre-recorded, but that she “had to have that coward Tim Walz with her.” “I just don’t think she’s a very bright person,” West says. Not only was the interview a weak display of leadership, but Kamala’s climate talking points are rather hypocritical. “Barack Obama buys a house in Martha’s Vineyard on the beach, Bill Gates, you know, [the] climate change activist buys a house in San Diego on the beach; they’re all in private jets, they don’t really care about the environment,” Stein comments. “These guys waste more money and emit more greenhouse emissions than anybody,” he adds. As for Kamala’s VP pick, Walz, West has no problem saying that what he’s done is “stolen valor.” “When the call comes you’re supposed to answer. You don’t abandon your unit. He was the senior enlisted man in a battalion. I was a battalion commander. So, in other words, when we got the call to go to Iraq, I didn’t tell my battalion, ‘Hey look guys, you know, I don’t think I can hang out with y’all. Let you guys go,’” West says. “That’s basically what he did,” he adds. Want more from Alex Stein?To enjoy more of Alex's culture jamming, comedic monologues, skits, and street segments, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

A Washington state homeowner shot a "giant" male intruder who entered the bedroom he shares with his wife early Tuesday morning.Kent police told KOMO-TV the incident occurred at 1:27 a.m. in the 26600 block of 134th Avenue SE.'You hear stories, and you never think it’s gonna be you — until it’s you, until it’s your family,' he told the station.While the station interviewed the homeowner exclusively about the incident, KOMO said he was still too shaken to be publicly identified.“I honestly still keep going back to my bedroom because I’m like, ‘Did it happen?’” the homeowner recounted to the station.The victim told KOMO he was asleep with his wife when the male entered their bedroom and turned on the light."It was quick. I woke up, and there was this giant standing in my bedroom," the homeowner recalled to the station, noting that he believed the intruder stood at least 6 feet, 5 inches tall.The homeowner told KOMO that he began hitting the intruder with items from a nearby nightstand, after which he got his gun and opened fire."I think [being hit with objects] helped to push him out of the door, and I had just enough time to run for my safe [and retrieve my gun]," he told the station, adding that he "shot two rounds" but "didn’t know if I struck him."More from KOMO:Around 3:05 a.m., Kent police said they were called to an apartment on the 14900 block of SE 272nd for a medical call involving a person who'd suffered a gunshot wound. Officers then found a man matching the description of the aforementioned burglary suspect with a gunshot wound to his torso. They then applied a chest seal to the open wound, and Puget Sound Fire firefighters arrived shortly after to continue medical treatment.Police said the burglar, a 39-year-old Kent resident, was taken to the hospital for additional medical treatment. Regarding the shooting, officers said the homeowner had a concealed pistol license and legally owned his gun at the time of the incident. They said he acted lawfully.The homeowner added to the station that in addition to his wife and daughter, his brother and family also were in his home — meaning five children were present at the time of the incident.That said, the homeowner emphasized to KOMO that he didn't hesitate to protect multiple loved ones and would do it again.“You hear stories, and you never think it’s gonna be you — until it’s you, until it’s your family," he told the station."This is my safe house, this is my home, this is where we live," the homeowner added to KOMO. “I gotta protect my family; that’s just the end of it."You can view KOMO's video report here.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Biden-Harris administration has withheld millions of dollars in federal funds from Oklahoma over its refusal to provide abortion referrals to pregnant women. The pro-life state sued the Biden-Harris Department of Health and Human Services and its secretary, Xavier Becerra, earlier this year, seeking a reinstatement of over $4.5 million in family-planning grants. The case was kicked up through the courts until ultimately the state's application for writ of injunction went before the U.S. Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court court denied Oklahoma's request, indicating that Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch would have granted the application. Background The grant program at the heart of the case was established in 1970 under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Congress tasked the HHS with determining the eligibility requirements for the funds. In 2021, the Biden-Harris HHS renewed two conditions: first, that family-planning projects must provide pregnant women with the opportunity to receive "neutral, factual information and nondirective counseling" regarding possible options, including abortion. Second, projects had to provide a referral regarding all options when requested. The following year, the Oklahoma State Department of Health was approved for one such grant — from April 2022 to March 2023. However, just months into the term, Oklahoma's abortion ban took effect, and the Supreme Court issued its Dobbs ruling, indicating there is no nationwide right to an abortion. After Dobbs, the Biden-Harris HHS rushed to inform Oklahoma and other grant recipients that the high court's decision would not free them from their supposed obligation to continue referring pregnant women for abortion in order to receive the federal grant money. Oklahoma effectively told the federal government to pound sand, changing its policies on the basis of state law. The HHS rejected Oklahoma's changes and suggested the state could comply by other means; namely, by providing pregnant women with the phone number for a glorified abortion referral hotline. Oklahoma rejected that half-measure and stopped sharing information about the hotline, prompting the Biden-Harris administration to terminate the grant — a strategy it has pursued also with Tennessee. 'Diminishing healthcare services in this way harms the public interest.' Oklahoma challenged the decision. When a federal judge declined to compel the Biden-Harris administration to cough up the money, Oklahoma appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, which ruled 2-1 to allow the HHS to continue withholding the money. Arguments Oklahoma noted that despite the Weldon Amendment — which bars federal agencies and programs from subjecting "any institutional or individual health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions" — the HHS stripped it of all Title X funds because its OSDH "declined to refer for abortions after Oklahoma's historic abortion prohibition was revitalized in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization." The state asked the high court to consider whether the HHS had indeed violated the Weldon Amendment as well as whether it was violating the Constitution's spending clause by requiring abortion referrals. Oklahoma also argued that Congress' spending power precluded it from delegating the grant eligibility requirements to the HHS, reported the New York Times. According to SCOTUSblog, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who represented the Biden-Harris administration, told Supreme Court justices that the Weldon Amendment has not been violated because the OSDH is "not protected" under the amendment. Prelogar also suggested that the requirement for abortion referrals did not violate the Constitution's spending clause because Congress "routinely conditions federal grants on compliance with requirements contained in agency regulations, and this Court has repeatedly upheld such requirements." The Biden-Harris administration's representative further suggested to the justices that contrary to Oklahoma's characterization of the funds as a critical "part of the frontline of health care" in the state, this was ultimately a dispute with "modest practical stakes." Several pro-life and religious medical associations who previously filed an amicus curiae with the 10th Circuit, stressed that the HHS' rule "threatens to reduce the resources available to members of the public who seek fertility services, family-planning information, and other medical services from healthcare professionals who share their beliefs about abortion and the sanctity of human life. Diminishing healthcare services in this way harms the public interest." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Guessing CNN Won't Be Calling THEM Any Time Soon: Tim Walz Family in Nebraska Voting for Trump

Elon Musk and Others Have Simple Answers to House GOP's Question About Dems and Voter ID

THERE It Is! CNN Helps Dems Prep Harris/Dem Election Loss Excuses in a Familiar Way