thecooldown

Pennsylvania's fireflies and bees are in decline, and a loophole in state law could worsen it

The insects Pennsylvanians notice most in warm weather, including fireflies and backyard pollinators, do more than signal summer — they can also reflect the condition of surrounding ecosystems.
thecooldown

At a Pennsylvania Goodwill, shopper finds a like-new Filson Original Briefcase for $15

In Pennsylvania, a Goodwill shopper on the r/BuyItForLife subreddit said they came across a like-new Filson Original Briefcase for just $15. That's the sort of rare secondhand score that sends ...
The Cool Down

In Germany, an EV could keep key appliances on during blackouts, then earn up to $1,000 a year

For drivers in Germany, a parked EV may soon double as both a household power reserve and potential source of extra income.
The Cool Down

Scout leader once called giant hogweed 'a joke.' Now he says Ontario is infested

After first seeing a photo of giant hogweed in 2010 and thinking, this is a joke, Kemp now says the plant has spread so widely that waterways across southern Ontario are becoming increasingly ...
thecooldown

Chevy Equinox EV owner offers rides, says friendly drivers can beat EV misinformation

One Chevy Equinox EV owner argues that a surprisingly effective response to electric vehicle misinformation is simply giving people a ride. Instead of getting pulled into internet fights, the driver ...
The Cool Down

Texas resident switched to time-of-use billing and saw a summer power bill fall from $210 to $130

In North Texas, one resident said that pairing a time-of-use plan with after-dark chores and cooling lowered a monthly ...
The Cool Down

Tunisia OKs home batteries as heatwave, outages push its power grid to the brink

Tunisia is turning to home energy storage as a punishing heat wave pushes electricity use to record highs and exposes the ...
The Cool Down

El Salvador archaeologists uncover a burial site that may date back nearly 3,000 years

A recently uncovered burial in El Salvador may be close to 3,000 years old, giving archaeologists a possible window into some ...
The Cool Down

Mom and daughter drove 5,000 miles across the US in a Tesla Model Y, and 110V was enough at night

A mother-daughter road trip in a Tesla offers a useful reality check for anyone concerned that electric vehicles need ideal charging setups to handle long-distance travel.
Opinion
The Cool DownOpinion

As a dam loomed in Angola, archaeologists found the country's oldest burials and its only known cremation

A hydroelectric dam in Angola is slated to submerge the 15th-century settlement of Caculo Cabaça, but before the reservoir rises, archaeologists documented discoveries that could reshape what is known ...
thecooldown

In California, Woodside Fire forces Salt Point State Park evacuations, closes Highway 1

A fast-moving wildfire on California's Sonoma County coast has led to evacuations at Salt Point State Park and forced the closure of part of Highway 1, disrupting travel and raising air quality ...
thecooldown

Officials pass bizarre law meant to protect citizens from nonexistent airborne threat: 'We're not playing that game'

In June, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new bill into law that attempts to ban "weather modification" and "chemtrails" in the state. It went into effect this summer. Senate Bill 56 is ...