Random News and Notes 16 February

Let’s talk gas prices for a moment shall we? In this area, gas is running right around $3.30 a gallon depending on grade. Diesel is a bit more expensive, near $4 a gallon. Still pretty pricey, but that is one of the costs of living in the PRNY. At least it isn’t California.

Fuel prices in that wannabe socialist hellhole have gone up more than 40 cents in the last two weeks. A combination of tax rates, weak supply and refinery closures are to blame.

According to AAA, regular unleaded gas costs an average of $4.58 a gallon in California. The National average is $2.92 a gallon. The Cali price surge stems from shrinking refinery capacity, with only two of five Bay Area plants producing gasoline and major closures planned by late 2026, leaving just 11 refineries statewide. High taxes – at 61.2 cents per gallon – add to the burden.

California imports 70% of its oil, often via a circuitous Gulf Coast-to-Bahamas route to skirt Jones Act shipping rules. he Jones Act, formally Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a U.S. federal law that requires all goods transported by water between U.S. ports (including to places like Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska) to be carried on ships that are built in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, flagged under the U.S., and crewed primarily by American citizens or permanent residents.

A major section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed near Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County, Maryland recently. It released an estimated 250 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River. It is one of the largest such spills in U.S. history. Health officials from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have issued advisories urging people and pets to avoid contact with the river due to elevated E. coli levels and other pathogens. And turds.

It seems it is going to take another 9 months to get the 72″ line fixed. Until then, more and more raw sewage will flow into the river. We probably had the same reaction.

As of right now, the health warnings are extended as far as Woodbridge in Prince William County some 30 miles downstream from the spill site inside the DC Beltway in MD. No doubt the health warnings will continue to move downstream.

SecState Marco Rubio is in Budapest today. Rubio announced stronger U.S.-Hungary ties, including a civilian nuclear deal during a presser with Hungarian President Victor Orban. He also reiterated that tourists, students, and journalists risk immediate visa revocation for activities harming U.S. national security.

The Trump administration ramped up this policy in 2025, revoking over 100,000 visas after enhanced vetting like social media checks, targeting campus protesters, Chinese nationals, and potential threats.

The 68th running of the Daytona 500 was yesterday. Tyler Reddick won, becoming the 4th driver in history to win only leading in the last lap. His team, co-owned by driver Denny Hamlin and former NBA star Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing had three cars finish in the top 10 for the first time in their history. The last lap was wild:

There is a change in the top 5 in medal count at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Norway remains on top with 12 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze. Italy is still second with 8/4/10. The Netherlands move into third with 6/5/1. Team USA is 4th with 5/8/4. Sweden rounds out the top 5 with 5/5/1.