Author: Connor Simpson

Tesla Is First Green Tech Company to Pay Back Its Department of Energy Loan

AP

Tesla no longer owns the federal government a dime. On Wednesday the company announced it had repaid the outsanding balance of $451.8 million, with interest,  on its 2009 Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan from the Department of Defense. That means taxpayers earned a very, very small $12 million profit on the loan.

By Connor Simpson

Aug 19, 2012

Watch Beyonce's New Video for World Humanitarian Day

Beyoncé could do no wrong in our eyes before this morning, but she's now releasing a video for her song 'I Was Here' to support the U.N.'s World Humanitarian Day.

Comments | 1,035 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 19, 2012

Bashar Al-Assad Makes Rare Public Appearance for Prayer Service

Bashar al-Assad made a rare public appearance on Sunday to attend a prayer service to mark the start of the Eid al-Fitr festival, a Muslim holiday. It's the first time al-Assad's been seen in public since July 4.

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 19, 2012

'Guardians of the Galaxy' Is Marvel's Wild Card

Marvel's slate of new movies for the next three years has one title that's not a sequel, and it's not a hero the average person would recognize at first glance. The Guardians of the Galaxy movie is the one wild card on the docket. 

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By Connor Simpson

Aug 19, 2012

Paul Ryan Brings His Mom Into the Medicare Debate

Paul Ryan wanted to assure the senior citizens in Florida that the rumors aren't true. His budget plan isn't going to totally gut medicare. To help make his point, he brought along the one person he knew they could relate to: his mom

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By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Seth Myers Isn't Doing the Paul Ryan Impersonation

Seth Myers told TMZ he's "definitely not" going to be doing the Paul Ryan impersonation when Saturday Night Live debuts on September 15. Can we stop pretending like this isn't going to be Bill Hader's gig?

Comments | 2,627 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Charles Schumer is Washington's Best Matchmaker

Some believe you should not date someone you work with. Charles Schumer is not one of those people. Instead, Schumer is a notorious matchmaker with a record of proven success in Washington. 12 'Schumer marriages' have come out of his office.

Comments | 3,793 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Four Classes We Would Take from Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich just announced he's going to be teaching classes on policy at the Republican National Convention in Tampa at the end of the month and they're calling it "Newt U." We thought of four other classes former real-life college professor Newt could add to the fall's curriculum. 

Comments | 1,573 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Jay Leno Takes a Pay Cut to Save 'Tonight Show' Jobs

There's major trouble behind the scenes of NBC's Tonight Show. Around two dozen people are being laid off, senior staff members are taking huge pay cuts and the show's operating budget is being peeled back. Even Leno wasn't spared. 

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By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Better Curiosity Rover BFF: Nancy Sinatra or Britney Spears?

The Curiosity rover's Twitter account can be a little strange. This week she was girl-talking with Britney Spears and talking space travel with Nancy Sinatra. So, we have to ask, who makes the better friend for Curiosity?

Comments | 1,034 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 18, 2012

Paul Ryan's Taxes Are Pretty Normal

Paul Ryan released two years of tax returns in a late Friday evening news dump, so you would think there's something evil or scandalous in there, but it turns out he pays a pretty normal rate. 

Comments | 4,647 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 17, 2012

Except for that One Time, Paul Ryan Never Asked for Stimulus Money

Paul Ryan got busted lying about requesting stimulus money in 2009 for two Wisconsin businesses while at the same time campaigning against stimulus spending in Congress, and now that the truth is out there Ryan says he never should have asked for the money in the first place.

Comments | 5,282 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 16, 2012

With Mayer as the New Sheriff, Yahoo's Searching for a Deputy

With Marissa Mayer comfortably installed as Yahoo's new CEO, the search has now begun for a new COO to act as Mayer's right hand. 

Comments | 1,897 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 16, 2012

Twitter Adds a Glass Ceiling For App Developers

The biggest takeaway from Twitter's new API announcement is they're trying to phase out third-party clients eventually, but for now they're just setting a glass ceiling to stop them from growing. 

Comments | 773 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 16, 2012

'Glee' Wants You to Know Nothing is Changing

Or, at least, that's what the new trailer -- the first trailer! -- for season four spends its time trying to convince you. Everything is still the same with the New Directions crew.

Comments | 6,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 16, 2012

Roger Sterling Is the Latest 'Arrested Development' Character

As much as everyone's excited to have the regular cast of Arrested Development back, guest roles were one of the best parts of the show's original three season run. TV Line reports the first announced guest for the upcoming season will be none other that John Slattery, aka Roger Sterling.

Comments | 1,100 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 15, 2012

Jan Brewer Bans State Benefits for Deferred Actioners

Jan Brewer signed an executive order on Wednesday denying driver's licenses and other public benefits to anyone benefitting from Obama's immigration policy that finally took effect today

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By Connor Simpson

Aug 15, 2012

Apple Is Cable's Latest Cure

Cable companies are concerned about flat growth and a rising number of potential customers interested in other things. So what's a cable company to do? Enlist Apple to get people to subscribe again, of course. 

Comments | 4,463 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 15, 2012

Linda McMahon Has Spent $61 Million Trying to Get Elected

Linda McMahon won her GOP Senate primary on Tuesday night after spending almost ten times as much as her opponent, but the astronomical, unbelievable number is how much she's spent trying to get elected so far: $61 million.

Comments | 690 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 14, 2012

Obama Campaign Calls Romney Crazy for Complaining About Attacks

Mitt Romney gave a speech in Ohio accusing the Democrats of running a "campaign of division and anger and hate," on Tuesday night, so the Obama campaign called him crazy instead of the usual telling him to stop complaining. 

Comments | 2,281 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 14, 2012

How Do You Do 'Snow White and the Huntsman 2' Without Snow White?

Kristen Stewart's straying smooches with Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders have led to her being cut from the sequel, Snow White and the Huntsman 2, which will now just be about the Chris Hemsworth's Hunstman character. 

Comments | 2,656 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 14, 2012

Seamus the Dog Gets a Revival Thanks to Devo and Obama

Remember when Mitt Romney's old roof-riding, diarrhea-suffering dog, Seamus, was a thing? He even made the cover of the New Yorker! He got a small revival today thanks to a speech President Obama gave in Iowa, and Devo. Yes, Devo.

Comments | 2,025 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

Olympics Final Day Results; Scenes from the Closing Ceremonies

Tallying the final medals, cleaning up the last bits of news, and some early pictures from the Closing Ceremonies. 

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By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

Mohamad Morsi Is Trying Reclaim His Power in Egypt

Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi forcibly retired some of the country's top military chiefs on Sunday, taking steps to reclaim some of the power taken from him when the country's military council devolved his parliament and stripped some of his executive powers.

Comments | 1,035 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

Box Office Report

The New Bourne Can Beat Up Batman

Welcome to The Box Office Report, where you all know my name but I don't know yours, and we're all still trying to figure out how the new Bourne movie works. 

Comments | 1,707 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

The Sunday Grind

McCain: Ryan 'a Bold Choice;' Pawlenty 'Not Disappointed'

Paul Ryan dominated the conversation on Sunday. McCain called him a 'a bold choice,' and compared him to Palin; David Axelrod called him 'bright,' but 'wrong;' and Tim Pawlenty tried to convince us he's 'not disappointed,' with getting passed over, again. 

Comments | 2,931 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

The Romney Campaign's Strange Relationship with Bob Schieffer

CBS announced Sunday morning that the Romney-Ryan tag team will do their first television appearance together on Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes. The interview will be hosted by recent Romney antagonist/interviewer Bob Schieffer. 

Comments | 2,736 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

Great Britain Gets the Best Medal Finish They Could Hope For

The Olympics' host country always wants to put on the best possible showing in the medal standings. The spotlight is on them, both at home and internationally, to do the best they can on their home turf. Great Britain came in third, and that's really the best they could hope for.

Comments | 1,917 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 12, 2012

Escape from Snitch Mountain: How Ryan Got to Virginia Undetected

Mitt Romney's Vice President choice, and the battle to break the news first, was the most anticipated political news of the summer. Reporters were able to beat Romney's app announcement, but only by a few hours. How did they keep Ryan a secret for so long? Spy tricks, that's how. 

Comments | 2,449 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Mo Farah: Hometown Hero; Canadians Jobbed in 4x100

It's the second to last day of the Olympics! Mo Farah ran his way into the heart of British fans everywhere, and another gold medal, in the 5000 meter; the U.S. might have the best wrestler, ever; a new world record was set in the 4x100, but more importantly the Canadians got jobbed. 

Comments | 2,176 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

McKayla Maroney Is the Best

McKayla Maroney is the best. There, we said it. Now everyone can breathe easier. We were all waiting for someone to get that out of the way.

Comments | 16,051 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Both Sides Are Happy with Ryan as Veep

After what felt like years of relentless speculation, we finally know that Mitt picked Paul Ryan to be his vice president. Amazingly, both the Republicans and the Democrats seem to be happy with his choice. 

Comments | 3,906 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Soldier Who Plotted Attack at Fort Hood Spits Blood, Is Sentenced to Life in Prison

A former soldier who was arrested last year for plotting to bomb and shoot other soldiers at Fort Hood was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences on Friday, but not before guards were forced to put a mask on him for spitting what he thought was HIV-infected blood at them.

Comments | 9,012 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Romney Raises $3.5 Million After Ryan Veep Choice

It's only been a matter of hours since the much anticipated announcement from the Romney campaign that Paul Ryan is his running mate in November, and it's already paid off in a big way. Romney press sectary Andrea Saul says they've already raised $1.2 million. Update: they've hit the $3.5 million mark.

Comments | 690 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Google Is Making It Harder to Steal on the Internet

Google is adding a new feature to its search algorithm that will make it harder to find pirated material, effectively making it extremely hard for you to keep up with Game of Thrones next season.

Comments | 7,575 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Your 'Saturday Night Live' Oscars Dream Is Officially Over

Remember last week when there were rumors that Jimmy Fallon was in talks to host next year's Oscars telcast and Lorne Michaels was going to produce and there was a chance it would actually be funny and entertaining? Oh, how we miss the good ol' days. 

Comments | 560 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 11, 2012

Paul Ryan Is Mitt's Vice President Pick

NBC News won the war last night. They were the first to report that Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney's choice for Vice President.

Comments | 8,384 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 10, 2012

Adam Yauch Refuses to Sell Out from Beyond the Grave

We were so, so saddened when Adam Yauch, more commonly known as the Beastie Boys' MCA, passed away earlier this year, but a detail from his will is reminding us of what made him so lovable in the first place. 

Comments | 3,621 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 9, 2012

British Government Legally Questioned Over Role in Obama's 'Kill List'

An Afghan man who had relatives killed in a U.S. missile strike is challenging parts of the British government demanding to know how they contributed to the construction of President Obama's infamous 'kill list'.

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 9, 2012

This Is Curiosity's Latest Masterpiece

The Curiosity rover has been snapping more pictures since arriving on Mars than a hipster at Lollapalooza, and this is its latest Instagram-worthy hit.

Comments | 4,320 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 9, 2012

Reid Aide Fumbles Info About His Romney Tax Source

One of Harry Reid's top aides let slip some information on Reid's source to his 'Romney hasn't paid taxes in a decade' charge, but it was only a matter of time before he backtracked on all the juicy information he gave up. 

Comments | 5,484 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 9, 2012

Watch These Old Navy Ads Starring Old '90210' Characters

These are either the best ads ever, or completely off target. Old Navy just released an ad campaign with old 90210 characters and we think they're kind of amazing.

Comments | 1,798 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 9, 2012

Rob Portman Doesn't Think He's Getting the Veep Call

Rob Portman, one of the most talked about candidates in the race to be Mitt's Vice President, appeared at a Mitt Romney fundraiser Wednesday night and said he doesn't think he's going to get the call. 

Comments | 1,558 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 8, 2012

How to Lose Your Job as Zynga's COO

The first casualty of Zynga's disastrous second-quarter earnings report has been identified, and it's chief operating officer John Schappert. Was it the plummeting stock price, or a recent lawsuit filed against the company that did him in?

Comments | 1,420 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 8, 2012

The Truth Behind the Communist NCAA Shirt at a Penn State Book Store

There was shock! and outrage! after an Onward State editor tweeted a photo from a bookstore at Penn State that showed a T-shirt with the C in NCAA logo replaced with a hammer and sickle, but the truth behind the T-shirt is a lot less scandalous than you'd imagine. 

Comments | 1,621 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 8, 2012

Mitt Romney Asked the Wrong Guy for a Big Donation

Fundraising efforts from the Romney campaign are obviously vigorous if they made over $100 million two months in a row, but you'd think they would know better than to ask CNN contributor and Democratic National Committee member Robert Zimmerman to make a huge donation.

Comments | 1,300 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 8, 2012

Apple's Reconsidering Their Security Measures After Epic Hack

Apple is reconsidering their security policies after hackers managed to exploit a hole in their password reset verification process to wipe Mat Honan's personal computer, iPad, and iPhone, hack into his email account and from there access his personal Twitter, and Gizmodo's Twitter. 

Comments | 4,374 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 7, 2012

Clint Eastwood Hated 'Moneyball'

Clint Eastwood hated Moneyball. At least, that's the biggest thing we can take away from the trailer for Clint Eastwood's latest movie, Trouble with the Curve.

Comments | 5,665 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 7, 2012

Rob Kardashian Lied About Going to U.S.C.

We've all lied about applying to schools before. "Of course I sent in my grad school applications," keeps mom happy while you live in her basement working part time for beer money. If you're going to lie about about it on Twitter, though, be prepared to get busted by the school you've apparently applied to.

Comments | 2,413 Views

By Connor Simpson and Dashiell Bennett

Aug 5, 2012

NASA's 'Curiosity' Rover Lands on Mars Intact

The biggest machine we've ever sent to Mars will spend the next two years trying to prove that life once existed on the red planet. 

Comments | 7,907 Views

By Connor Simpson

Aug 5, 2012

Murray Gets Revenge; Usain Bolt Reigns

Andy Murray returns to the scene of his biggest career disappointment to defeat the biggest force in men's Tennis of the last decade; Usain Bolt is the king. 

Comments | 392 Views

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