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☆ I live off the grid in a 300-square-foot tiny home with my husband and 2 kids. It feels luxurious compared with our suburban life.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ten years ago I was living a typical suburban life on the outskirts of Denver. But along the way we've created a much more luxurious and free lifestyle than the one we were living in suburbia. AdvertisementI started trying to live more consciously when the kids were youngOur journey started in an unlikely place: Netflix documentaries. Casey and I felt the only way to really live by our values was to build a house. I wanted to be physically healthier by living off the grid, but not at the expense of our morals.

Persons: Heather Graesser, —, Casey, We've, Trump, We're, there's, I'm, we've Organizations: Service, Netflix, Disney Locations: North Carolina, Denver, Costa Rica, Winston, Salem

☆ ‘Everywhere’ chemicals linked to rise in preterm births, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Now, researchers have found synthetic chemicals called phthalates used in clear food packaging and personal care products could be a culprit, according to a new study. “Studies show the largest association with preterm labor is due to a phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP,” Trasande said. “In our new study, we found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018. “This paper focused on the relationship between exposure to individual phthalates and preterm birth. “Every day, they’re often exposed to more than one phthalate from the products they use, so the risk of preterm birth may actually be greater,” said Friedman, who was not involved in the study.

Persons: phthalates, ”, Dr, Leonardo Trasande, ” Trasande, “, that’s, Alexa Friedman, Friedman, diisononyl, toxicologist Linda Birnbaum, ” Birnbaum, birthweight, DEHP, Trasande, ” Friedman, don’t, ” CNN’s Jen Christensen Organizations: CNN, NYU Langone Health, “, Environmental, American Chemistry Council, Product Safety, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology, National Institutes of Health’s, Child Health, Health, Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP Locations: United States, European

☆ The ‘Mean Girls’ Movie Is Nicer. Teens Are Not. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jessica Bennett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

For a certain breed of millennial like me, Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls” was gospel — a movie turned cultural phenomenon that put names and labels to the kind of bullying that any woman who’d been to middle or high school would recognize. For a long time, researchers just thought girls didn’t bully as much as boys. Then in the early aughts, a handful of books brought the concept of girls’ “relational aggression” into the mainstream. But much has changed in the 20 years since the original “Mean Girls" movie came out. So when Ms. Fey returned last month with her musical movie “Mean Girls” — her latest twist on the original, starring Reneé Rapp — it was inevitable there would be some changes.

Persons: Tina Fey’s, who’d, Fey, Reneé Rapp, Carr, Jon Hamm, Janis Ian, “, Ms, Queen Bee, Regina George Organizations: Bees, North Shore, Plastics Locations: Regina

☆ To stream or not to stream: Hollywood studios could send more films to the big screen as Wall Street pushes for profits
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Since it came out on Jan. 12, the $36 million film has tallied $83 million globally, according to data from Comscore. Low-budget films are typically those that cost under $20 million — films from the horror genre often fall in this category, as well as some independent features. The annual box office those years reached $11.9 billion and $11.4 billion, respectively. Domestic wide releases by year 2017 — 107 wide releases2018 — 112 wide releases2019 — 112 wide releases2020 — 32 wide releases2021 — 67 wide releases2022 — 71 wide releases2023 — 95 wide releases * Wide releases are any films that debut in more than 2,000 locations. Source: ComscoreIn 2023, 95 films had wide releases, 15% fewer titles than pre-pandemic times, and the box office barely surpassed $9 billion.

Persons: Bebe Wood, Renee Rapp, Avantika, Eric Handler, Roth, Paul Dergarabedian, Demeter, — Organizations: Plastics, Paramount Paramount, Paramount, Wall Street, Street, Netflix, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros Locations: Comscore

☆ Having your shelves filled with Stanley tumblers is not the point of the cup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

America's hottest reusable water container has a sustainability problem. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. On TikTok, influencers are showing off their shelves full of Stanley Tumblers, each in different colors. For one, as CBC News pointed out, Stanley does not offer any product recycling options. PMI Worldwide, the parent company of Stanley, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Stanley tumblers —, Stanley Quencher H2.0, Stanley, Stanley Tumblers, Katie Notopoulos, Jessica Heiges, WSP, Heiges, Myra Hird, " Hird, Kathryn Coduto Organizations: Service, Business, CNBC, Wired, CBC, Queen's University, Boston University, PMI, Business Insider

☆ Rachel McAdams officially passed the Regina George torch to Reneé Rapp on 'SNL'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewReneé Rapp recently made her "Saturday Night Live" debut, and she had a very special guest show up to support her. When she took to the stage to perform, the star of the musical "Mean Girls" remake was introduced by none other than the original Regina George herself, Rachel McAdams. AdvertisementRapp then performed "Not My Fault," which appears on the soundtrack of the "Mean Girls" remake. Rachel McAdams in "Mean Girls" (2004).

Persons: —, Reneé Rapp, Regina George, Rachel McAdams, McAdams, Rapp's, Renee Rapp, Rapp, Megan Thee Stallion, Jacob Elordi, Megan —, Li Organizations: Service, Business, Rockefeller Locations: fried, h

☆ Rachel McAdams makes ‘SNL’ cameo to introduce Reneé Rapp as Regina Georges collide
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Rachel McAdams, who played the iconic character in 2004’s “Mean Girls,” appeared on the new episode of “Saturday Night Live” to introduce musical guest Reneé Rapp. Rapp plays Regina George – the leader of cool-girl friend group “the plastics” – in the musical reboot of “Mean Girls” that debuted in theaters earlier this month. Adding to the “SNL” episode’s surprise cameo roster was an appearance by rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who performed “Not My Fault” with Rapp after McAdams’ introduction. McAdams also appeared in a hilarious sketch later in the episode, which was hosted by “Euphoria” star and first-time “SNL” emcee Jacob Elordi. The next episode of “SNL” will be hosted by “Madame Web” star Dakota Johnson and Justin Timberlake will be the musical guest.

Persons: Regina George, … Regina George, Rachel McAdams, ”, Reneé Rapp, Rapp, Regina George –, Tina Fey, Cady Heron, episode’s, Megan Thee Stallion, McAdams, Jacob Elordi, Natalie Partman —, Oscar, Natalie Portman, Elordi, Madame, Dakota Johnson, Justin Timberlake Organizations: CNN, SNL, North Shore High School

The world first met Cady Heron, Regina George and the Plastics when “Mean Girls” hit movie theaters in 2004. Written by Tina Fey and based on a nonfiction book about social dynamics among high school girls, “Mean Girls” tells the story of a formerly home-schooled 16-year-old who becomes entangled with a group of popular students at her new high school. Its stars became famous, its quotable lines were ubiquitous and young people started wearing pink on Wednesdays. This month, a new version of “Mean Girls” has hit cinemas. Alissa Wilkinson, a film critic, and Alexis Soloski, a culture reporter, discuss their relationships with “Mean Girls,” how the world has changed since the original movie and what the new “Mean Girls” has to say to audiences today.

Persons: Cady Heron, Regina George, Tina Fey, Alissa Wilkinson, Alexis Soloski Organizations: Plastics

☆ Lindsay Lohan got in trouble filming 'Mean Girls' because she kept trying to look Plastic before Cady's transformation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lindsay Lohan rushed to transform into the Plastics version of Cady on the set of "Mean Girls." Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, and Rachel McAdams in "Mean Girls." Lindsay Lohan in "Mean Girls." Paramount PicturesWaters explained to Lohan why her hair needed to be straight and simple until Cady's transformation later in the movie. "Once, they shot half a scene with her hair straight, as planned," Armstrong wrote.

Persons: Lindsay Lohan, Cady, Lohan, —, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Rachel McAdams, Regina George, Lacey Chabert, Gretchen Wieners, Amanda Seyfried, Karen Smith, Cady Heron, Mark Waters, Carol Hartwick, Armstrong, Waters, Paramount Pictures Waters, Lindsay, she's, Jennifer Aniston, Queen Bee, Rachel Green Organizations: Service, Plastics, Paramount, Paramount Pictures

☆ 'Mean Girls' is the Queen Bee of the box office, opens to $28 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bebe Wood, Renee Rapp and Avantika Vandanapu star as The Plastics in the 2024 adaptation of "Mean Girls." Paramount's "Mean Girls," a musical film adaptation of the Broadway show and beloved 2004 film of the same name, opened to an estimated $28 million at the domestic box office, on its way to a $32 million take for the holiday weekend. "The success of Mean Girls this weekend is a case study in nostalgia successfully paired with a fresh and modern hook for today's female audience," said Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. In fact, the biggest percentage of ticket sales were for those aged 26 to 35, who accounted for 34% of all opening weekend ticket sales. Mean Girls is truly an [intellectual property] that's evolved into a multi-threat pop culture standout."

Persons: Bebe Wood, Renee Rapp, Avantika, Glen Coco, Lindsay Lohan, Paul Dergarabedian, Tina Fey's, Shawn Robbins, Steve Buck, Gen, BoxOffice.com's Robbins Organizations: Plastics, Paramount, Warner Bros Locations: Hollywood

☆ The 8 biggest differences between the 2004 and 2024 versions of 'Mean Girls'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for the new "Mean Girls" remake, now playing in theaters. The musical movie retains the same major storyline as the 2004 film but makes some changes. Despite the marketing, the film is a full-on musical, inspired by the "Mean Girls" Broadway play that opened in 2018. The movie follows the same overall plot as the 2004 movie that starred Lindsay Lohan, but there are some changes — aside from the addition of musical numbers. Here are the biggest differences between the 2004 and 2024 versions of "Mean Girls."

Persons: —, Angourie Rice, Cady Heron, Reneé Rapp, Regina George, Christopher Briney, Aaron Samuels, Lindsay Lohan Organizations: Service

☆ Good news, millennials: The 'Mean Girls' remake won't actually make you feel old
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewAs it turns out, millennials can sit with the new "Mean Girls." But contrary to the marketing that made millennials feel ancient, the new "Mean Girls" isn't trying to push its thirtysomething viewers in front of a bus. The trailer called millennials old to their faces in a bold, pink-lettered declaration: "This isn't your mother's 'Mean Girls.'" Her talent is indisputable and can easily be recognized and appreciated by a member of any generation who finds themselves in a theater showing "Mean Girls" this winter. Thankfully, making a "Mean Girls" movie that isn't for millennials is just as impossible as making fetch happen — but the fact that they ever tried to still isn't grool.

Persons: —, millennials, Reneé Rapp, Regina George, Angourie Rice, Cady Heron, Z, Vandanapu, Karen Shetty, Renee Rapp, Bebe Wood, Gretchen Wieners, Jojo Whilden, Gen Z, Cravalho, Janis, Imi'ike, Christopher Briney, Aaron Samuels, Rapp, Regina, Rapp's, Jaquel Spivey, Damian Hubbard, Auli'i Cravalho, Tina Fey's, Fey, Gretchen, Christina Aguilera's, Karen Organizations: Service, Business, Shore, Plastics, Paramount, Broadway, College Locations: Regina

☆ 4 scientists said they're cutting back on bottled water after measuring the number of microplastics inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found. AdvertisementScientists said they're cutting back on bottled waterThe inside of an optical box reveals the components that organize the light from laser beams to identify nanoplastics, microscopic plastic pieces. Related storiesAll four co-authors interviewed said they were cutting back on their bottled water use after they conduced the study. Wei Min, the Columbia physical chemist who pioneered the dual laser microscope technology, said he has reduced his bottled water use by half. Previous studies looking for microplastics and some early tests indicate there may be less nanoplastic in tap water than bottled.

Persons: Naixin Qian, Mary Conlon, —, Qian, Phoebe Stapleton, microplastics, Wei Min, Stapleton, Beizhan Yan, there's, Jason Somarelli, Somarelli, Zoie Diana, Diana, Min, Yan, Kara Lavender, Denise Hardesty, Louis Organizations: Service, Business, Columbia, Rutgers, National Academy of Sciences, micron, WalMart, Water Association, American Chemistry Council, United Nations Environment, Duke University, University of Toronto, Kara Lavender Law, Sea Education Association Locations: Columbia, New Jersey, Australian, Boston, St, Los Angeles

☆ The sexiest new hotels for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

This list tries to do just that – spotlight the hotels opening (or reopening, as one of them is) in 2024 that make us want to visit for the hotel alone. Properties with a little bit of oomph – the sexy hotels of 2024, as we like to call them. For spring 2024, Costa Rica’s on the cards, with this beachfront hotel at surfer central Santa Teresa, on the Pacific Coast. Existing ones have been refurbished, and new pool villas, suites and bungalows have been added to the mix. Pool villas are cute cabins with patio doors opening on the open-to-the-elements plunge pools, while the bungalows will be wood-clad, tropical spaces.

Persons: Will, ”, that’s, King Charles, Maria, Casa Lucia Argentina, swank, Kit Kemp, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, George, Gran, Palazzo Cordusio, Cordusio, There’s, Emanuele II, Mina Al, Ras, Anantara Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, Mina Al Arab, Al Riffa, Mollie's, who’ll, KAI Akiu, Hoshino, Rupert Peace, Michel Rojkind, Moxy Banff, Marie, they’re, Philippe Kjellgren, It’ll, Aman, you’ve, you’ll, Roma, Romeo Roma, Romeo, starchitect Zaha Hadid, Rome’s Piazza, Costa Rica’s Organizations: CNN, Casa Lucia, Bacan, Leinster, Collins, Gran Meliá, Milan, Galleria, Tunisia –, Soho, Manchester TV, Beatles, Granada Studios, Old Granada Studios, Soho House, Resorts, Michelin, Guadalupe, Moxy, VW, Brisbane . Tourism, Queensland, Casa, Hoxton, Popolo, Princeton, Hotels, Ivy League, Mercure, Darwin, Training Academy Locations: Matca, Transylvania, Romania, Romanian, Brașov, Maria, Helsinki, Finland, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Retiro, Dublin, Ireland, Merrion, Georgian Dublin, Uganda, Rwanda, Queen, Edward, Milan, Italy, Meliá, Piazza, Duomo, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Arabian, Dubai, Ras Al, Oman, Mina, Al, Tunisia, Douz, Sahara, Matmata, Manchester, Japan, Tokyo, Akiu, Sendai, superlatives, Kempinski, Dresden, Germany, grande, Taschenbergpalais, Baja California, Mexico, Valle, Mexican, Valle de Guadalupe, Canada, Banff, Brisbane, Australia, Brisbane ., Dios, Peru, Casa, Andina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peruvian, Folegandros, Greece, Santorini, –, Hoxton Vienna, Austria, Hoxton, Vienna, Ennismore, Landstrasse, Sainte, Marie, Madagascar, Aman Nai, Bangkok, Thailand, Aman, Nai Lert, Thai capital’s, Rome, Naples, starchitect, New Jersey, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Morocco, Coast, Darwin, Larrakia, Northern Territory

☆ The Biden administration unveiled its hydrogen tax credit proposal, estimated to deliver $140 billion in revenue and 700,000 jobs by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-22 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Officials estimate the hydrogen production credits can deliver $140 billion and 700,000 jobs by 2030. Administration officials estimate the hydrogen production credits will deliver $140 billion in revenue and 700,000 jobs by 2030 — and help the US produce 50 million metric tons of hydrogen by 2050. Firms that produce hydrogen using fossil fuels get less. The Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association includes more than 100 members involved in hydrogen production, distribution and use, including vehicle manufacturers, industrial gas companies, renewable developers and nuclear plant operators. Some of the money will flow to regional networks, or "hubs," of hydrogen producers, consumers and infrastructure that the Biden administration is also trying to kickstart with a $7 billion program.

Persons: —, Biden, Jesse Jenkins, David M, Turk, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Flores, Rachel Fakhry, Marty Durbin, Frank Wolak, Wolak, Chuck Schmitt, Jennifer M, Granholm Organizations: Biden, Service, Princeton University, Energy, Cummins, Generation, Star Tribune, Getty, Natural Resources Defense Council, US Chamber, Department of Energy, Fuel Cell, Hydrogen Energy Association, SSAB, AP Locations: Fridley , Minnesota, United States, SSAB Americas, American, Pennsylvania, California

CHANNELVIEW, Texas — For nearly 20 years, Texas environmental regulators have kept a disturbing secret. AdvertisementTexas Community Health News; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality"Any exposure to a carcinogen increases your risk of developing cancer. AdvertisementTim Doty, a former TCEQ mobile air monitoring expert, at the industrial edge of River Terrace Park in Channelview, Texas. In fact, the agency rarely fines companies that violate Texas air pollution laws. Mark FelixHoneycutt's toxicology division soon took an even more dramatic step to weaken Texas' benzene guidelines.

Persons: Loren Hopkins, Hopkins, Mark Felix, TCEQ, AirToxScreen, AirToxScreen Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, Menefee, Tim Doty, Doty, Solv, He'd, Glenn Shankle, Kelly Keel, Todd Riddle, Riddle, Lopez, Joe Lopez, Dora, Joel Lopez, Randy Lopez, It's, Joel, Felix Benzene, wildcatters, Houston —, Forbes, Lorenzo de Zavala, Alison Cohen, Cohen, Tim Doty's, Houston Mayor Bill White, Shankle, Michael Honeycutt, Valerie Meyers, Meyers, Mark Felix Meyers, Richard Hyde, John Sadlier, Ryder, Hyde, hadn't, Russell Allen, Matt Baker, Jacintoport, Cloelle Danforth, Public Health Watch —, Danforth, Mark Felix Honeycutt's, Eric Schaeffer, Schaeffer, Honeycutt, Jim Tarr, polluters, upended, Mark Felix Fracking, Barnett, Glenn Shankle —, —, Rick Perry, Perry, Sadlier, David Bower, misstep, Baker, Bower, Michael Burgess, Greg Abbott, Abbott, Mark Felix Meanwhile, Randy, That's, Carolyn Stone, Stone, Carolyn Stone's, Mark Felix The, Cynthia Benson, Benson, Mark Felix Tim Doty, Mark Felix K, Jordan Gass Organizations: Public Health Watch, Texas Commission, Environmental, American Petroleum Institute, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, U.S . Navy, Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, General, Health, Public Health, Rice University, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Community Health, AirToxScreen Harris County Attorney, polluters, Mark Felix Public Health, TCEQ, Solv, Mark Felix Public Health Watch, myelodysplasia, Houston, Oil, Gas Watch, Texas, Houston Ship, University of California, Houston Mayor, ., . Texas Community Health, NASA, Exxon Mobil, Public, Watch, Environmental Defense Fund, Management, Civil, Air Alliance Houston, Republican, Fort, United, Texas toxicologist, EPA, Texas Tribune, Google, Land Office, . Geological Survey, National Oceanic, Firefighters, U.S . Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Channelview, Improvement Coalition, Health Watch, San Jacinto, K, Texas Legislature, Solv Group, Services Locations: , Texas, Texas, Houston, Channelview's Jacintoport, San Jacinto, California, Jacintoport, Channelview , Texas, AirToxScreen Harris County, Channelview, Harris County, United States, North Channelview, Gulf, Terrace, Joel's, Houston , Texas, Spindletop, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Port of Houston, San Francisco, . Texas, That's, polluters, lacquers, Dallas, Fort Worth, Fort Worth City, Austin, Round, Minnesota, Galveston, U.S

☆ How old fishing nets could be part of the climate crisis solution
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Paul Glader | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

De Bouter’s company, Brikole, is a startup “circular business” that recycles discarded nets from the industrial tuna fishing industry. Kyle de Bouter holds board shorts made of recycled Nylon fishing nets similar to the kind he is recycling. Since the area is prime for fishing, especially tuna fishing, many in Seychelles believe those industries are a good place to start. He championed activity by “inventive young entrepreneurs” to improve society, mentioning recycled fishing nets as one example. “This is solving the problem of exhausted fishing nets,” said Julio Morón, a managing director of the Spanish tuna fishing organization called OPAGAC.

Persons: Seychelles CNN — Kyle de Bouter, ”, De, Kyle de Bouter, Paul Glader, CNN “, de Bouter, Joshua Tiatouse, CNN De Bouter, Ellen MacArthur, Eduardo Soteras, James Alix Michel’s, Michel, De Bouter, Julio Morón, Brikole, Bouter, de, Manuel Sigren, Bureo, Joshua Tiatousse, Tiatousse, “ Organizations: Seychelles CNN, United Nations, CNN, Bank, “ Department of Blue, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Washington Post, Economy Research, University of Seychelles, snags, Electricity, Bureo, DuPont, BASF, DOMO Chemicals, Grandview Research Locations: Victoria, Seychelles, Patagonia, Spain, France, South Korea, Kosovo, Ghana, Philippines, Mahé, “, Dubai, China, California, Africa, Asia, Grandview

☆ Italian designers Krill are using fruit peel to make furniture
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Arya Jyothi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Using fruit peel, orange seeds and coffee ground waste collected from businesses in Italy, Krill products can be redistributed to the same businesses for use in their offices, instead of furniture made from common plastics. “After three or four years, you have to change your furniture [anyway],” says Marco Di Maio, director of operations at Krill. “But if all that furniture was made using our materials, we would be able to recover them, crush them and print other furniture with the same material. First, the food waste is dried and crushed into a very fine powder. It’s also looking to develop injection molding — injecting the molten compound of food waste and PHB into a mold instead of 3D-printing — which could cut costs and save time.

Persons: “, ”, Marco Di Maio, Di Maio, won’t, Rekrill, we’ve, ” Di Maio, San, Iles, Ellen MacArthur, bioplastics, ” Iles, It’s Organizations: CNN, Circle Economy Foundation, bioplastics, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Locations: Milan, Italy, San Pellegrino, Sicily, “

☆ Here’s how activist Elliott could build shareholder value amicably at Phillips 66
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Business: Phillips 66 is an energy manufacturing and logistics company. Percentage Ownership: n/a Average Cost: n/a Activist Commentary: Elliott is a very successful and astute activist investor. On Wednesday, Elliott sent a letter to Phillips 66, announcing that it has taken a $1 billion stake and is seeking up to two board seats. While we do not generalize like that, it is hard to imagine a more amicable and constructive activist campaign than what Elliott is proposing at Phillips 66. When implemented, Phillips 66 saw costs increase relative to peers, burning shareholders' confidence in the management team's ability to achieve its goals.

Persons: Phillips, Elliott, Mark Lashier, Ken Squire Organizations: Phillips, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Valero Energy, Marathon Petroleum, Valero, 13D Locations: Chevron, U.S, Europe, COOs

A stack of freshly pressed gold vinyl records at United Record Pressing. CNBCOnce considered a dying industry, the vinyl record business has undergone a remarkable multibillion-dollar resurgence in the past decade. United Record Pressing CEO Mark Michaels inspecting a vinyl record. United Record Pressing has become a major player in the vinyl market, producing approximately 40,000 records daily at its Nashville, Tennessee, facility. Recording artist Taylor Swift's entire music catalog, including her album "Red," has been pressed at United Record Pressing.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Mark Michaels, CNBC's Andrea Day, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Adele, Jack White, Michaels, Taylor Swift's Organizations: CNBC, Target, Walmart, United, Research, Recording Industry Association of America, Southern Plastics, RIAA, Vinyl, Billboard, Amazon Locations: North America, U.S, Nashville , Tennessee, Nashville

☆ U.S. tap water has a $47 billion forever chemicals problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Lindsey Jacobson | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding some "forever chemicals" to the list of toxins that must be reported by drinking water utilities. That's why they got the nickname 'forever chemicals,'" explained Tom Neltner, senior director of safer chemicals at the Environmental Defense Fund. About 300 million people in the U.S. receive their water from a public water system, according to the EPA. At least 45% of tap water in the U.S. is known to have PFAS in it, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Watch the video above to learn more about how safe tap water is in the U.S.

Persons: Radhika Fox, they're, Tom Neltner, Cheryl Norton, Fox, Neltner, Sydney Evans, Evans, Norton Organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA's, Water, CNBC, Environmental Defense Fund, Utah Department of Environmental, . Geological Survey, Environmental Locations: U.S

☆ The Complicated Truth About Recycling - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Oliver Franklin-Wallis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

You probably throw a milk container in the recycling, put the bins out on collection day and forget about it. It is worth noting that the landfill-happy United States is far worse at recycling than other major economies. But just because recycling doesn’t work very well in the United States doesn’t mean it can’t be done well. Recycling steel, for example, saves 72 percent of the energy of producing new steel; it also cuts water use by 40 percent. Even anti-plastics campaigners agree that recycling plastics, like PET, is better for the climate than burning them — a likely outcome if recycling efforts were to be abandoned.

Organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, University of Southampton Locations: United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Malaysia, America, States, England

☆ ADNOC German oil deal has bad timing, good logic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned Abu Dhabi oil giant he runs, is considering a bid for BASF-owned (BASFn.DE) Wintershall Dea, at a potential $11 billion valuation. The UAE firm is already in talks to buy chemical company Covestro (1COV.DE), Wintershall’s German compatriot, for $12 billion. Abu Dhabi's oil riches mean the UAE firm has the wherewithal to pay 5.5 billion euros for BASF’s Wintershall stake. Any deal could value Wintershall Dea at more than 10 billion euros ($11 billion), Bloomberg reported. BASF holds a 72.7% stake in Wintershall Dea.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Wintershall, Jaber, It’s, Austria’s, Abu, LetterOne, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, BASF, The, Shell, Russian, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Abu, National Oil Company, Bloomberg, Wintershall Dea . Investment, Thomson Locations: Gastech, Chiba, Japan, Abu Dhabi, The UAE, Germany, Norway, UAE, Europe, United Kingdom, Abu, Russia, Wintershall Dea

☆ 6 HENRYs detail how they save and invest their 6-figure incomes — and what financial stresses they're preparing for
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

HENRYs — high earners, not rich yet — are a wide-ranging group often making over $100,000. Business Insider spoke to six HENRYs across the country about how they're saving amid high inflation. There's a wide variety of experiences and views among self-described HENRYs about their financial situations and goals. AdvertisementTo keep savings high, he fixes many monthly expenses — he schedules four haircuts a year, and he goes to the grocery store once a month. "Even the ones that are older and closer to retirement with $1-2 million in retirement savings, they're feeling the pinch as well, so it kind of made me feel better that I'm not alone," Eric said.

Persons: HENRYs, —, Miles Goodloe, HENRY, he's, Goodloe, what's, He's, Robert Oszust Jr, Oszust, we're, Greg, Greg —, he's oversaving, they're, Sherry, She's, she's, Boresta, he'll, I'm, that's, Eric, who's Organizations: Business, Service, HENRYs, Social Security Locations: There's, Connecticut, Washington ,, Ohio

☆ From black gold to green power: Texas, weirdly, is leading America's clean energy future
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

John DavisDeals like Davis' have made Texas — America's oil capital for more than a century — the top producer of renewable energy in the US. The state has long generated the most wind power and is second only to California as a solar-energy producer. The high-stakes battle for Texas' energy future is a microcosm of how tricky America's green transition is shaping up to be, especially when politics are involved. Slowing down renewable energy could cost Texas in the long term, both economically and socially. The coalition seems to be growing stronger, even as Texas politicians shift further to the right on issues beyond renewable energy.

Persons: John Davis, Davis, Greg Abbott, Critics aren't, there's, George W, Bush, Rick Perry, Abbott, Winter Storm Uri, hasn't, it's, It's, Judd Messer, Madeline Gould Laughlin, Michael Looney, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Brent Bennett, Bennett, Messer, That's, Enel's Laughlin, Enel, Sandhya Ganapathy, Catherine Boudreau Organizations: Menard, RES, Texas, Republican, Texans, Power Alliance, John Davis Texans, University of Texas, Winter Storm, ERCOT, Bloomberg, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Energy Fund, Advance Power Alliance, San, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, ExxonMobil, Chevron, West Texas Chamber of Commerce, Lone Star, EV Locations: North Dakota, Texas, America, Nowhere, Menard , Texas, Concho County , Texas, California, Menard, Austin, San Angelo, Midland , Texas

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