Midday Open Thread

This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Donald Trump has promised to deregulate the energy sector, boost fossil fuels, dismantle environmental rules, and otherwise attack climate progress. However, experts and advocates say that lawsuits that aim to hold the fossil fuel sector responsible for deceiving the public about the climate crisis still “have a clear path forward.” “The overwhelming evidence of the industry’s lies and ongoing deception does not change with administrations,” said Richard Wiles, president of the nonprofit Center for Climate Integrity, which tracks and supports the litigation.

It's interesting that Carter’s death comes only weeks before his polar opposite takes office.

All in the name of saving the planet…or so they tell us.

Axios’ morning email thingie alerts us that about half of the states are increasing minimum wage: The 21 states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Oregon and Florida will raise their minimum wage later in 2025. Millions of workers are getting a raise on Wednesday, when the minimum wage is set to rise across 21 states, and 48 cities and counties, Axios’ Emily Peck writes. Why it matters: The increases lift the pay of more than 9.2 million people, per the Economic Policy Institute’s tally.

Today it was announced that Pres. Biden will award the former Vice Chairwoman of a Committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection Liz Cheney, with the Presidential Citizens Medal, which is one of the nations highest civilian honors. The recipients the president selected to be honored in his last medal ceremony have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens,” the White House said in a statement on Thursday. -- The selection of Ms.

An Israeli government photo shows a lot of aid to the Palestinians in Gaza sitting undelivered in piles.