Just One Thing: 12% Occupancy (and it's really not that high)
A new report from the office of Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, finds that 6% of federal workers work at their offices full-time. About a third are remote full-time. And federal buildings have an average occupancy rate of 12 percent. Elon Musk said that the number of people who are at their office location full-time is really even lower because the top-line number includes security guards and maintenance personnel. The emptiest building is the Department of Energy at which in 2023 it’s estimated that 8 people were working daily in a 1.8 million square foot building that can hold over 4800 workers. Rounding to the nearest whole number, that’s 0% occupancy. This is so insanely wasteful that even Democrats will probably say “this has to change.”
Only 6% of federal workers show up in person on a full-time basis, scathing Senate report reveals
Why would a government agree to this? Social Security union secures telework deal as Trump’s DOGE plans crackdown | CNN Politics
By the way, the Social Security Administration just spend $120 MILLION upgrading their building: Social Security Administration (SSA) Arthur J. Altmeyer Modernization - Hensel Phelps
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Today's Guests
Colorado State House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese joins us to discuss the results of recounts in House elections including what might be the closest election I've ever heard of.
Democrat may seek ‘legal remedies’ after El Paso County recount ends in HD 16
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If all goes according to plan, Dr Sarah Teichmann will join us from London to talk about her fascinating research creating the "Human Cell Atlas":
Human Cell Atlas — Teichmann Lab
Human Cell Atlas project transforms understanding of human body
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Silly question of the week
How often do you wash your pillows?
Other Stuff
OK, I get the thing about the “only 4 people” food, but what really bugs me is their use of “a close second”. Really there was a close third, not a close second. Red Rocks by the numbers: Only 4 people bought this food in 2024 | FOX31 Denver
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Judge rejects deal between Boeing and DOJ due to "diversity" requirement for gov't monitor: Boeing plea deal tied to two fatal 737 Max crashes rejected
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I'm surprised we don't have the name already: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: Manhunt for gunman heads into 3rd day | 9news.com
And this: CVS pulls executive photos down amid manhunt for United Healthcare CEO killer | Fox Business
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That was pretty darned tone-deaf of Anthem to begin with: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield calls off surgery anesthesia cap
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Do you still have a land line? AT&T to Retire Traditional Landlines by 2029 (Except in This State) | PCMag
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This is beyond ridiculous: Shipping sunshine electricity to Colorado on battery rail cars
And this is an insane abuse of American taxpayers: Biden administration to loan $6.6B to EV maker Rivian | AP News
But once you know this, it makes sense: EPA Advisor Admits ‘Insurance Policy’ Against Trump is Funneling Billions to Climate Organizations, “We’re Throwing Gold Bars off the Titanic” | Project Veritas
The cancer is throughout our federal government: Campus Reform | One-quarter of NSF grants fund DEI, new report claims
Senate report: 4BD2D522-2092-4246-91A5-58EEF99750BC
And DEI is also evil at the local level: San Francisco’s $30,000 ‘Equity-Centered’ School Closure Plan—Put on Hold After Parent Uproar—Used DEI Formulas To 'Target' High-Performing, Majority-Asian School
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This was ugly. Seems to me that Fallon ended up being wrong though I understand why he asked the question. Was pretty bad for the congressman that his team edited the photo to crop out the person the congressman was saying should have been there.
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I agree, these pardons would be terrible precedent but of course Biden is the terrible precedent president: What Biden’s Lawfare Has Wrought - WSJ
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Could the Syrian regime collapse? Assad forces collapsing as Syrian rebels advance: Israeli intelligence
Why the rebel capture of Syria's Hama, a city with a dark history, matters | AP News
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My reaction to the initial filing against Rocket was "how could they be responsible?" Rocket Mortgage sues HUD to dismiss discrimination allegations
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Beyond embarrassing:
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I get the motivation but this seems too far, too fast: Fact Check Team: Australia enacts world's first social media ban for children under 16
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Federal ruling in TikTok case might come today: Will TikTok Be Banned on January 19, 2025?
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Markets adapt, and (most) people aren't idiots: Colorado dispensaries sell weaker marijuana to boost sales | 9news.com
I also note that this seems to mirror trends in alcohol: 7 Important Alcohol Industry Trends (2024 & 2025)
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Typical Denver: Caring for Denver nonprofit under fire for questionable taxpayer spending - Axios Denver
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Fun for dark-chocolate fans like me but I think it's correlation without causation. For example, dark chocolate typically has less sugar than milk chocolate. Eating dark chocolate regularly could reduce type 2 diabetes risk, study finds | Diabetes | The Guardian
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I'll skip the purge, thank you: Movie actress dies at a Mexican spiritual retreat after consuming deadly monkey frog potion - Daily Star
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Today's Video
Listener Jason sent this fascinating video about very old "perpetual" bonds