The iconic spaceship-shaped Fry's Electronics store in Burbank, which closed in 2021, has been demolished. While the spaceship structure itself couldn't be saved, demolition crews preserved one alien artifact from the building. The site, located on the corner of Hollywood Way and Vanowen Street, is set to become an apartment complex with around 800 units.
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California now has more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations than gas pumps, a milestone reflecting the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles. However, this achievement comes as the federal government under the Trump administration actively works to slow the transition away from gasoline cars. California has aggressively expanded its EV charging network, reaching 178,500 ports in 2024, surpassing an estimated 120,000 gas nozzles. While California received a significant federal grant for EV infrastructure, the federal government has paused similar grants in other states, signaling opposition to the rapid expansion of EV infrastructure. This creates challenges for California's ambitious goal of banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
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Village Roadshow Entertainment, the prolific film financing company behind franchises like “Joker,” “The Matrix,” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A protracted legal battle with Warner Bros., stemming from the studio's release of “The Matrix Resurrections” on HBO Max simultaneously with its theatrical release, is cited as a major factor. The company's ambitious, pre-pandemic expansion into independent film and television production proved unprofitable, further exacerbating its financial woes. The bankruptcy highlights the disruptive impact of streaming on traditional entertainment businesses.
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The documentary "Hollywood's Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story" chronicles the life of Paul Revere Williams, the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects. Overcoming immense racial barriers, Williams designed iconic buildings like LAX and homes for Hollywood legends. The film not only celebrates his extraordinary talent but also highlights the lack of diversity in architecture and the importance of preserving his legacy, prompting reflection on racial equality and cultural heritage preservation.
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For years, actively managed fund managers have claimed to beat the market, but data reveals a harsh truth: index funds significantly outperform them in the long run. The SPIVA report shows that the majority of actively managed large-cap US equity funds have underperformed the S&P 500 index for years. Ordinary investors should opt for the simplicity, low cost, and superior long-term performance of index funds, avoiding emotional investment mistakes. While concerns exist about the concentration of power in index funds, such as potential impacts on corporate governance and political agendas, their superior long-term returns make them the preferred choice for the average investor.
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Of the 2024 Oscar-nominated films, only the animated movie 'The Wild Robot' passed the Climate Reality Check, a test devised by nonprofit consulting firm Good Energy to assess films' acknowledgment of global warming. Similar to the Bechdel test, the Climate Reality Check reveals a striking lack of climate change representation in mainstream cinema. A recent study found that only a small percentage of popular films even mention the climate crisis, let alone depict it meaningfully. Despite this, Good Energy CEO Anna Jane Joyner notes a growing audience interest in climate-conscious stories, and some studios are showcasing climate solutions like electric vehicles in their films. However, Hollywood's overall climate silence, coupled with the Trump administration's climate denial, remains a significant concern.
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The Ivanpah solar project, a massive concentrated solar power plant, ultimately ended in failure. Despite significant government investment, it proved unprofitable due to technological flaws and high costs, even causing numerous bird deaths. This raises questions about the government's continued investment in high-risk clean energy technologies. While Ivanpah failed, overall government investment in renewable energy has been successful, driving progress in solar photovoltaic technology and fostering the growth of the clean energy industry. However, government investments carry risks, requiring careful project selection and rigorous evaluation to prevent similar failures.
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A drone pilot, Peter Tripp Akemann, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after his drone collided with a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades fire. The collision caused significant damage to the Super Scooper plane, costing over $65,000 to repair. Akemann admitted to flying his drone in restricted airspace, violating temporary flight restrictions put in place due to the fire. While there's no evidence of intentional harm, the incident highlights the dangers of drone operation near emergency response areas. Akemann faces a potential year in prison, fines, and community service. The incident also prompted renewed warnings from the FAA about the risks of drone flights near wildfires.
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The recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles highlight a critical issue, according to fire experts Jack Cohen and Stephen Pyne. They argue that the scale of destruction was preventable due to societal misunderstandings about fire. The traditional focus on the "wildland-urban interface" overlooks the primary role of wind-carried embers in igniting urban fires. They propose shifting from fire suppression to preventing community ignition points through home hardening, landscaping, and community brush clearance. Drawing parallels to post-Chicago fire planning, they emphasize strengthening urban resilience rather than solely relying on firefighting during extreme conditions.
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