Let's end the year on a positive note: 2023 was great for renewable energy sources. It was also a year of big demand for oil. (I stayed positive as long as I could, I'm a news curator after all...) And nowhere is that demand being met more aggressively than in the United States. "On Wednesday, one week after world governments agreed at COP28 to 'transition away from fossil fuels,' oil companies including Shell and Hess bid a collective $382 million for drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico, the most for an auction there since 2015. The auction closely followed the release of data showing that U.S. oil production is now higher than in any country at any time in history, reaching about 13.3 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter." So it was a good news, bad news year for fuel and the environment, but that beats what had become the norm: bad news, bad news years. Tim McDonnell with an interesting look at the numbers in Semafor: 2023 brought clean energy and fossil fuels into competition like never before.

+ If you want to get a glimpse of a future driven by the transition to electric cars, you might want to head to China. "Since the beginning of 2017, China has chalked up more than 18 million EV sales, nearly half the world’s total and over four times more than the US, according to BloombergNEF data. By 2026, the research group projects that over 50% of all new passenger vehicle sales in China will be electric." Even that is a good news, bad news story as a lot of the electricity powering EVs in China comes from coal. "China has some of the cheapest electricity in the world thanks both to massive adoption of renewables and a bounty of low-cost coal, the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. China consumes more than half the world’s supply, and coal accounts for about 60% of its power generation. So while the country is investing heavily in renewables, it’s not like the EV surge has suddenly turned China into an environmentalist’s nirvana—even if it does mean a vital step has been taken." What's really interesting (and maybe really predicable) is the EV revolution in China is being powered by economics and consumer preferences, not necessarily a concern about the environment. Between the power, acceleration, quiet, one-pedal drive, and no trips to the gas station, even an old fossil like me prefers driving electric. See why so many Chinese drivers are making the switch in Bloomberg: Electric Cars Are Driving China Toward the End of the Age of Oil.

2

Higher Ground

Few laws have been as unevenly applied as the ones around minor drug offenses. So consider this a small step toward righting a very big wrong. USA Today: Biden pardons marijuana use nationwide. Here's what that means. "Biden issued a similar pardon last year and promised future reforms. This year's proclamation went further in that it forgave all instances of simple marijuana use or possession under federal law, including for individuals who have never been charged." (Half of America is like, "phew!" and the other half of America is like, "Wait, pot was illegal?")

3

Deflate Gate

And one more piece of good news: it looks like the US economy will avoid a recession, achieve a soft landing, and make for a pretty good bounty under your Christmas tree. Inflation has finally cracked and consumer optimism is rising as we head into the new year. Prices finally fell last month after 3.5 years of increases. Politico on the Good Vibrations.

4

Weekend Whats

What to TV: It was a weird idea to evolve Fargo the movie into Fargo the TV show. But it worked. Fargo the TV show is one of the best shows out there, and season 5, featuring Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, has been great so far. And if you've missed the prior seasons, lucky you. You're set for your holiday viewing. Check out Fargo on Hulu.

+ What to Book: Your every move is being tracked. By now, you know that. But you might not know how much of that reality connects back to one person. This is the unbelievable but true story of Hank Asher. The Hank Show: How a House-Painting, Drug-Running DEA Informant Built the Machine That Rules Our Lives.

+ What to Stream: HBO's Rap Sh!t from Issa Rae is a funny, entertaining glimpse into the world of rap. Through its unique mode of storytelling, it's also a look at how completely phones and social media are integrated into our lives.

5

Extra, Extra

Holiday Forecast: If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, you better keep dreaming. For much of America, you'll be experiencing record warm temps. Temperatures aren't the only thing rising. Covid is gearing up to be the grinch this holiday season. New COVID variant JN.1 surges to 44% of cases. The symptoms aren't any more serious, but this variant seems to be spreading like crazy. Go deeper with Eric Topol's Covid Update.

+ Justice Delayed: Supreme Court sidesteps decision on Trump presidential immunity claim in federal election interference case. "As a result of the court’s refusal to intervene, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will take first crack at the issue; it is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Jan. 9." (It's only American democracy on the line, no rush.)

+ Tunnel Vision: In an effort to get to underground tunnels, Israel dropped hundreds of 2,000-pound bombs on Gaza. That is part of the reason for the enormous civilian death numbers. And according the NYT, "during the first six weeks of the war in Gaza, Israel routinely used one of its biggest and most destructive bombs in areas it designated safe for civilians." The war has entered a new phase. The next few weeks will go a long way toward determining whether that phase leads to more hostage releases and/or the death of more top Hamas leaders. Here's the latest from CNN, BBC, and Times of Israel.

+ You've Got Voicemail: "The revelation of the contents of the call with the former president comes as he faces four counts of criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States and its voters of the rightful outcome of the election." Another day, another Trump crime uncovered. Trump recorded pressuring Wayne County canvassers not to certify 2020 vote. (Trump has more recordings than Willie Nelson.)

+ Gimme Shelter: "As the safety net has expanded over the past generation, the food stamp rolls have doubled, Medicaid enrollment has tripled and payments from the earned-income tax credit have nearly quadrupled. But one major form of aid has grown more scarce." NYT (Gift Article): As Need Rises, Housing Aid Hits Lowest Level in Nearly 25 Years. Consider this stat: "In the past three decades, Medicaid has added more than 60 million people, but housing aid reaches fewer households than in 1994."

+ Yacht Schlock: "Despite being false, the story reached members of the US Congress, where leaders say any decision on further aid to Ukraine will be delayed until next year." Fake news (even from absurd sources) continues to infect the minds of cultish leaders in the US. How pro-Russian 'yacht' propaganda influenced US debate over Ukraine aid.

+ You Cannot Be Sirius: "Attorney General Letitia James’ office claims that SiriusXM’s own data reveals that it takes subscribers an average of 11.5 minutes to cancel by phone, and 30 minutes to cancel online." I love SiriusXM. But their cancellation process is ridiculous.

+ Gym Dandy: We found something else Simone Biles is great at. Comebacks. Gymnastics star Simone Biles named AP Female Athlete of the Year a third time after dazzling return.

6

Feel Good Friday

"An Oklahoma judge on Tuesday declared innocent a man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he did not commit – believed to be the longest amount of time served by anyone wrongfully convicted in the United States."

+ The Denver Zoo wasn't sure who fathered a baby orangutan, so they asked Maury Povich to deliver the DNA results.

+ "A longhorn that was running loose on rail tracks between New Jersey and New York Thursday will now live out his life in peace at a sanctuary."

+ With a little help from ‘Aquaman,’ this conservationist is on a mission to save the world’s coral reefs. Malo Lava!

+ Thai farmer creates cat-themed art in his rice field. (Humans: "Wow!" Cats: "Meh.")

+ WaPo (Gift Article): I was eating at a diner when a man handed me my schoolwork from 40 years ago. (I'd love to have this happen. My writing peaked about 40 years ago.)

That wraps up NextDraft for 2023. Have a great holiday season and I'll see you back here after the new year.