EPA emissions rules, child bank robbers, and a pet alligator.

Adam Rogers
March 21, 2024

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The EPA has implemented new regulations aimed at limiting auto tailpipe emissions from cars, SUVs, and pickups

The regulations are part of an effort to speed up the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the US. Transportation is the largest source of domestic greenhouse gas emissions, with light duty vehicles being the largest source within that category.
The finalized rules, covering model years 2027-2032, are slightly less strict than the initial proposal but maintain the same end goal of reducing emissions. Automakers are not mandated to transition their fleets entirely to EVs, but with tighter emissions regulations, they are likely to increase their production of EVs to comply with the rules.
The rules are a focal point of the Biden administration’s climate goals but will likely be challenged immediately in Congress and end up in litigation. They also come as EV sales growth has slowed. Opponents believe automakers will be forced to make EVs for consumers who don’t want them.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has announced he will step down.

Varadkar cited both personal and political reasons for his decision, saying that a new leader would better position the party and governing coalition for upcoming elections. He plans to step down once a new Fine Gael party leader is elected on April 6, 2024, allowing for a seamless leadership transition.
Varadkar, who became Taoiseach (prime minister) in 2017, made history as Ireland's first gay and biracial prime minister and served until 2020. He was reelected in 2022.
Varadkar's decision comes after the government faced a setback in a recent referendum aiming to remove sexist references from the constitution. The proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by voters, with criticism directed at the government's vague and problematic replacement texts.

The Federal Reserve will keep interest rates at their current levels following a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

While the Fed's plans to lower rates this year remain intact, the timing and extent of future rate adjustments remain unclear.
The Fed last raised interest rates in July and has maintained them at their current levels over the past five meetings. Recent inflation indicators for the first two months of 2024 have surpassed expectations and challenged the case for immediate rate cuts.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that while recent inflation data has been higher than anticipated, the overall trajectory towards the Fed's 2% target remains unchanged. Despite the adjustments in rate-cut expectations, the Fed forecasts economic growth and anticipates inflation to decrease, albeit more slowly than previously thought.

Three boys, aged 11, 12, and 16, known as the “Little Rascals,” were arrested for robbing a bank in Houston. The youngsters have been charged with robbery by threat and are currently in custody. Due to their ages, no further information has been disclosed. (More)

Reddit is set to become a publicly traded company with a market value of $6.4 billion after its initial public offering priced shares at $34 each. The shares, set to begin trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “RDDT,” are expected to generate buzz on Reddit's platform and other social media channels. (More)

President Biden announced a deal with Intel that will give the company up to $8.5 billion in grants and another $11 billion in loans to build semiconductors plants in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. Intel will invest more than $100 billion of its own money into the projects that aim to boost US production of chips found in everything from cars to cell phones to military weapons. (More)

Millions of older Americans could face Social Security benefit cuts due to defaulted student loans. With nearly 40% of borrowers aged 65 or older in default, some seniors risk losing up to $2,500 annually. Over 3.5 million Americans aged 60 and above hold student loan debt, totaling over $125 billion. Through the Treasury Offset Program, the government can collect tax refunds and benefits, including Social Security, from people with outstanding student loans. (More)

Russian and Belarusian athletes are barred from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris by the International Olympic Committee due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, qualified athletes from both countries can compete as neutrals. Their participation in the closing ceremony is pending a later decision. (More)

A New York man is fighting to get his 12-foot pet alligator back after conservation officers seized it.

500 pounds of pythons were found in a Florida swamp.

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