the friday brief
3 things that matter
utilities are lobbying to block plug-in solar panels — just as energy costs spike
small, portable solar panels that plug into a standard wall outlet and immediately start reducing your electricity bill are gaining traction as energy costs climb. they cost a few hundred dollars, require no rooftop installation, and are already widespread in europe — more than 1.2 million are registered in germany. utah passed the first u.s. law supporting them last may, and roughly 30 similar bills have since been introduced in statehouses nationwide. but as of this week, utility lobbying has delayed votes in at least five states — georgia, arizona, new mexico, washington, and wyoming — by raising safety concerns. advocates say the safety issues have been addressed and that utilities are primarily protecting their business model from consumer-level competition.
new hampshire special election flips a trump +9 district
on tuesday, democrat bobbi boudman defeated republican dale fincher in a special election for new hampshire's carroll county district 7, winning 51.9% to 48.1% in a district trump carried by 9 points in 2024. boudman had lost the same seat twice before by double digits. the result is the 10th red-to-blue special election flip since trump returned to office — zero seats have gone the other direction. republicans still hold a trifecta in new hampshire, but the state house margin narrowed to 214–178. republican state senator victoria sullivan acknowledged the warning signs, writing on social media that the "no kings rallies are not a joke".
the white house is considering waiving the jones act to move fuel
the trump administration confirmed on thursday that it is weighing a 30-day waiver of the jones act — the century-old law requiring goods shipped between u.s. ports to travel on american-built, american-crewed vessels. the waiver would allow foreign-flagged tankers to move oil, gasoline, diesel, lng, and fertilizer domestically, particularly from gulf coast refineries to the east coast. maritime unions pushed back immediately, arguing domestic shipping costs aren't the driver of gas prices — crude oil is. the cato institute estimated the retail impact at single-digit cents per gallon. the move follows wednesday's announcement that the u.s. will release 172 million barrels from the strategic petroleum reserve as part of the iea's 400-million-barrel coordinated drawdown — the largest emergency release in the agency's history.
1 thing tO KNOW
the senate just passed the largest housing bill in decades
on thursday, the senate passed the 21st century road to housing act 89–10 — co-authored by tim scott (r-s.c.) and elizabeth warren (d-mass.). the 303-page bill would prohibit institutional investors controlling 350 or more single-family homes from purchasing additional ones, with narrow exceptions requiring sale to individual buyers within seven years. renters in those properties would get a right of first refusal.
the bill also raises the cap on bank investment in community development projects from 15% to 20%, expands the low-income housing tax credit, and updates federal definitions to include modular and prefabricated homes. it now heads to the house, where the path is less certain — some republican leaders have objected to the drafting process, and trump has said he won't sign legislation until the save america act passes. but a bill passed by both chambers can become law without a presidential signature if 10 days pass with congress in session.
1 THING TO TRY
a heated neck wrap for your desk
teight hours at a screen, and by 5 p.m. your neck and shoulders have been quietly absorbing all of it. a heated neck wrap is one of the simplest things you can do about that. microwave it for 30 seconds, drape it on, and the gentle weight and warmth increase blood flow to tight muscles while you keep working.
THE ostrichpillow heated neck wrap is our pick — filled with natural clay beads, no cords, holds warmth for 20–30 minutes. keep one at your desk. your end-of-day shoulders will feel noticeably different.
